Austin, Texas, Oct. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Digital Brands Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:DBGI) (the “Company” or “Digital Brands”), today announces the launch of its strategic initiative to aggressively expand the Company’s presence in the Name, Image, and Likeness (“NIL”) college apparel sector, a segment currently part of the global licensed sports merchandise market, which was estimated at $36.4 billion in 2024, and projected to increase to $49.0 billion by 2030, according to Grand View Research Expansion Str ...

Ernesta, an accessible luxury direct-to-consumer rug brand launched in 2023 by a Peloton cofounder, is revolutionizing the home decor industry with quick-turnaround custom rugs measured down to the inch. The company’s unique value proposition includes custom rug delivery in two to four weeks, an impressive timeline for any custom category. [To listen to the podcast on Retail Rx, CLICK HERE.] In this episode of Retail Rx, Ian Fredericks, CEO of Hilco Global Capital Solutions and the executive director of Hi ...

Summary of Fox (NasdaqGS:FOX) 2025 Conference Company Overview - **Company**: Fox Corporation - **Event**: Fireside Chat at the Goldman Sachs Communicopia Technology Conference - **Date**: September 10, 2025 Key Points Industry and Business Strategy - **Overall Performance**: Fox's businesses are performing well, with strong momentum in advertising and distribution revenue [5][6] - **Strategic Shift**: The strategy initiated in 2019, following the sale of entertainment assets to The Walt Disney Company, has been successful, resulting in nearly $5 billion increase in revenue since then [7] - **Revenue Breakdown**: Approximately $2 billion of the revenue increase is attributed to advertising, and another $2 billion from distribution [7] - **EBITDA Growth**: EBITDA has increased by nearly $1 billion, with $8.5 billion returned to investors [7] Tubi and Direct-to-Consumer Strategy - **Tubi's Audience**: Tubi targets 60 million cord-cutters in the U.S., which is a significant market opportunity [5] - **Path to Profitability**: Tubi is on track to profitability, with reinvestment of capital into Fox One, the company's direct-to-consumer business [6] - **Fox One Launch**: Launched on August 21, 2025, at $19.99 per month, Fox One has exceeded initial expectations in terms of consumer demand [14] - **Bundling Strategy**: Plans to bundle Fox One with other providers, including an ESPN bundle launching on October 2 at $39.99 per month [15] Advertising Market Insights - **Strong Upfronts**: Fox experienced double-digit volume increases in advertising during the upfronts, indicating strong demand across sports and news [16] - **Sports Rights**: The premium portfolio of sports rights, including NFL and college football, drives advertising demand [17] - **Tubi's Position**: Tubi's free service model allows it to reach over two-thirds of its audience in the cord-cutting market, making it attractive to advertisers [18] Strategic Priorities - **Focus on Traditional Brands**: Fox News remains the number one channel in cable, and the company aims to continue growing its traditional brands [19] - **Digital Growth Investments**: Investments in digital platforms, including Fox One and Tubi, are prioritized for future growth [20] FanDuel Investment - **FanDuel Option**: Fox has an option to acquire 18.6% of FanDuel, valued at $3.1 billion based on current market valuations [11] - **Licensing Process**: Engaging with 26 states for licensing, the resolution of control related to the Murdoch Family Trust simplifies this process [12] Additional Insights - **Market Position**: Fox's CPMs for advertising are significantly lower than broadcast networks, attracting more advertisers [19] - **Audience Engagement**: The combination of news and sports content on Fox One has been effective in driving audience engagement [14]

Core Viewpoint - Deckers Outdoor Corporation (DECK) delivered strong first-quarter fiscal 2026 results, exceeding expectations and showing year-over-year growth, primarily driven by the HOKA and UGG brands [1][9]. Financial Performance - DECK reported quarterly earnings of 93 cents per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 68 cents and increasing from 75 cents in the prior-year quarter [4]. - Net sales rose 17% year over year to $964.5 million, exceeding the consensus estimate of $899 million; on a constant-currency basis, net sales grew 7.5% [4]. - Gross profit increased 14.4% year over year to $537.9 million, with a gross margin of 55.8%, down from 56.9% in the previous year but above the estimate of 54.4% [5]. - SG&A expenses climbed 11% year over year to $372.6 million, representing 38.6% of revenues, a decrease of 230 basis points from the previous year [6]. - Operating income was $165.3 million, up 24.5% from $132.8 million in the prior-year quarter, with an operating margin of 17.1%, an increase of 100 basis points [6]. Brand Performance - HOKA brand sales increased 19.8% year over year to $653.1 million, exceeding the projected $609.7 million [7]. - UGG brand sales grew 18.9% to $265.1 million, surpassing the estimate of $238.5 million [7]. - Other brands, including Teva, AHNU, and Koolaburra, saw a decline of 19% year over year to $46.3 million, below the estimate of $52.6 million [7]. Sales Channels and Geography - Wholesale net sales increased 26.7% year over year to $652.4 million, while DTC net sales rose 0.5% to $312.2 million; however, DTC comparable net sales dipped 2.2% [8]. - Domestic net sales decreased 2.8% to $501.3 million, while international net sales surged 49.7% to $463.3 million [10]. Future Outlook - The company did not provide formal guidance for fiscal 2026 due to macroeconomic uncertainties but expects HOKA to remain its fastest-growing brand and international sales to outpace U.S. growth [2][12]. - Management anticipates a year-over-year decrease in gross margin due to elevated tariffs, increased promotions, and higher freight rates, partially offset by selective price increases [13]. - For Q2 fiscal 2026, DECK expects net sales between $1.38 billion and $1.42 billion, with HOKA projected to grow about 10% and UGG expected to increase in the mid-single digits [16]. - Earnings per share are anticipated to be between $1.50 and $1.55, compared to $1.59 in the prior-year period [18].

Industry Overview - The Retail - Apparel and Shoes industry is facing challenges due to fluctuating consumer confidence and inflationary pressures, leading to weakened demand for apparel and footwear [1][4] - Retailers are experiencing rising operational costs, including increased wages and higher prices for goods, which are straining margins and impacting the industry's near-term outlook [1][5] - The industry requires continuous product innovation and effective marketing to attract customers, while also facing fierce competition and price sensitivity [3] Key Trends - Soft demand is expected to impact revenues, with consumer purchasing power being strained by rising prices, as indicated by a decline in the Consumer Confidence Index from 98.4 in May to 93.0 in June [4] - Pressure on margins is likely to persist as companies invest heavily in digital infrastructure and marketing, which increases operational costs [5] - Companies are focusing on brand enhancement and capital discipline by deepening consumer engagement through innovative products and improved operational efficiency [6] Growth Strategies - Diversification and digitization are crucial for growth, with companies integrating in-store and online operations, enhancing supply chains, and investing in digital technologies [7][8] - Retailers are developing omnichannel capabilities and implementing loyalty programs to adapt to evolving consumer shopping behaviors [7] Market Performance - The Zacks Retail - Apparel and Shoes industry ranks 212, placing it in the bottom 13% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating bleak near-term prospects [9][10] - The industry's earnings estimate has declined by 14.1% since February 2025, reflecting a negative outlook for earnings growth [11] Stock Performance - The industry has underperformed compared to the broader Zacks Retail-Wholesale sector and the S&P 500, with an 11.6% increase over the past year compared to 17.3% for the S&P 500 and 23.7% for the broader sector [13] Valuation - The industry is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 18.26X, lower than the S&P 500's 22.74X and the sector's 25.50X [16] Notable Companies - **Levi Strauss & Co.** is focusing on direct-to-consumer strategies and has a Zacks Consensus Estimate suggesting a 4% growth in EPS from the previous year [19][20] - **Urban Outfitters, Inc.** is leveraging a diversified brand portfolio with an expected growth of 8.5% in sales and 22.2% in EPS [23][24] - **Stitch Fix, Inc.** is showing signs of a turnaround with a projected 71.7% growth in EPS [27][28] - **Boot Barn Holdings, Inc.** is experiencing strong performance with an expected growth of 11.8% in sales and 7.6% in EPS [31][32]

Core Insights - Limitless X Holdings, Inc. has registered its wholly owned subsidiary, HealthMD Inc., to enhance its offerings in the Health, Wellness, and Lifestyle sectors [1] - HealthMD Inc. aims to deliver a new suite of health-forward products and AI-integrated technologies, capitalizing on the growing demand in the health and wellness industries [2][5] - The initiative is expected to create a synergistic ecosystem that complements Limitless X's existing Consumer Packaged Goods division, focusing on direct-to-consumer dietary supplements [3][4] Industry Overview - The global wellness market is valued at over $5.6 trillion, with the U.S. market projected to exceed $2.4 trillion by 2027 [7] - Approximately 40% of the U.S. population suffers from chronic conditions, leading to over $4 trillion in annual healthcare costs, many of which can be addressed through lifestyle and wellness interventions [7] - The AI healthcare market is anticipated to grow to over $187 billion globally by 2030, with the health technology sector expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.8% [7] Strategic Growth and Value Creation - HealthMD Inc. is expected to drive top-line revenue growth through diversified offerings and achieve higher gross margins via technology-enhanced wellness products [8] - The initiative reflects the company's commitment to building enduring brand value and expanding its leadership position in the wellness industry [6] - By aligning digital health innovations with trusted supplement brands, the company aims to increase customer retention and strengthen long-term brand loyalty [4]

Core Insights - Disney generates a significant portion of its revenues from the Entertainment segment, accounting for 45.2% in the second quarter of fiscal 2025, with Linear Networks contributing 22.7%, Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) at 57.3%, and Content sales/Licensing and other at 20% [1] Direct-to-Consumer Business - The DTC business, which includes Disney+ and Hulu, has been a major driver for Disney, boasting 126 million subscribers for Disney+ and 54.7 million viewers for Hulu by the end of the fiscal second quarter [2] - Disney is focused on expanding its content portfolio globally, with upcoming titles such as Miley Cyrus: Something Beautiful, Lilo & Stitch, Pixar's Elio, and Marvel's The Fantastic Four: First Steps [3] Strategic Initiatives - Disney's strategy to enhance the DTC business includes improving user experience through personalization and customization features, as well as increasing investments in local content outside the United States [4] - The company plans to launch "ESPN," which will streamline access to live events and studio shows, and will offer bundling opportunities with Disney+ and Hulu, creating a new revenue stream [5] Competitive Landscape - Disney faces stiff competition from Netflix and Comcast in the streaming market [6] - Netflix is experiencing growth due to a robust portfolio of localized content and high engagement, with about two hours of viewing per member per day [7] - Comcast's Peacock is benefiting from a diverse content strategy that includes NBCUniversal originals and live sports, appealing to a broad audience [8] Financial Performance - Disney's shares have appreciated 11.4% year-to-date, underperforming the Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector's return of 12.9% and the Zacks Media Conglomerates industry's appreciation of 14.0% [9] - The stock is currently trading at a trailing 12-month Price/Earnings ratio of 21.60X, compared to the industry's 24.40X, with a Value Score of B [13] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Disney's 2025 earnings is $5.78 per share, reflecting a 16.3% increase from the previous year [15]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported fourth quarter net bookings of $1,580,000,000, which was at the top of the guidance range [6][26] - GAAP net revenue increased by 13% to $1,580,000,000, while GAAP net revenue for the fiscal year rose by 5% to $5,630,000,000 [28][29] - Operating expenses increased by 44% to $4,600,000,000 due to an impairment expense of $3,600,000,000 related to goodwill and acquired intangible assets [28][29] - Recurrent consumer spending grew by 14% year over year, accounting for 77% of net bookings [27] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - NBA 2K25 posted near record performance with nearly 10,000,000 units sold, a 7% increase compared to NBA 2K24 [10] - WWE 2K25 achieved a Metacritic score of 84 on Xbox Series X, with recurrent consumer spending up 20% during the quarter [12] - Zynga's Match Factory and Color Block Jam both showed strong performance, with Match Factory exceeding expectations and Color Block Jam becoming profitable within four months [16][17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The mobile gaming segment remains challenging, but Zynga is noted for regularly creating new hits, with Match Factory and Color Block Jam being profitable [46][47] - The company expects recurrent consumer spending to be flat compared to fiscal 2025, representing 76% of net bookings for fiscal 2026 [30] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to release 13 titles in fiscal 2026, including major franchises like Mafia and Borderlands [21][23] - The release of Grand Theft Auto VI is anticipated to significantly enhance the company's financial profile, with expectations for record levels of net bookings [20][33] - The company is focusing on delivering value to consumers through variable pricing strategies [36][91] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the upcoming pipeline and the potential for long-term growth, particularly with the release of Grand Theft Auto VI [33][34] - The company is addressing challenges in the gaming industry and is confident in its ability to deliver results [108] Other Important Information - The company has a robust release schedule with approximately 38 titles planned through fiscal 2028 [21] - The anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto VI is expected to set a new baseline for the business [20] Q&A Session Summary Question: Discussion on Mafia's pricing strategy - Management explained that variable pricing is part of their strategy to deliver more value to consumers [36][37] Question: Goodwill impairment related to Zynga - Management confirmed that the impairment was a partial impairment of one of their units, resulting from updated long-term expectations [38] Question: Future operating margins - Management indicated that there is no reason to believe they cannot reach previous operating margin levels, despite increased development costs [42] Question: Mobile segment performance - Management acknowledged the challenges in mobile gaming but highlighted Zynga's success in creating new hits [46][48] Question: Anticipation for Grand Theft Auto VI - Management noted the record excitement for GTA VI, driven by ongoing engagement with GTA V and the success of the recent trailer [86][90] Question: Impact of console price increases - Management stated that their guidance would not be meaningfully affected by potential price increases in the gaming ecosystem [96] Question: Internal royalty line increase - Management explained that the increase in internal royalties is driven by product mix changes [103]