Gander Outdoors, formerly known as Gander Mountain and a subsidiary of Camping World, announced the initial list of 69 stores that are scheduled to open by May 2018.

Camping World announced plans to purchase Erehwon Mountain Outfitter, a leading Midwest specialty retailer of outdoor gear and apparel. Erehwon has three Chicagoland area locations and the flagship location in the Milwaukee area.

Ibex, the wool-infused outdoor brand based in Vermont, is being auctioned off, according to a report in the Burlington Free Press.

Following the liquidation of the chain in the fall of 2016, the Denver Broncos on Tuesday announced plans to remove the Sports Authority signage on the outside of the team’s stadium in coming weeks.

Fabletics announced the launch of a new Demi Lovato for Fabletics capsule collection, its third collaboration with the singer. The range includes Lovato’s first-ever lifestyle accessories, including seven footwear styles and two athletic bags.

Custom cycling apparel maker Champion System USA has been sold to Jay Thomas, the brand’s former vice president of sales and marketing, and Champion System Limited. Thomas will also serve as the company’s managing director.

Barco Uniforms announced that it has partnered with Skechers USA for the global launch of a new scrub collection – Skechers by Barco – designed for healthcare professionals.

The December NICS background checks as adjusted by the NSSF fell 12.2 percent to 1.62 million from 1.85 million in the same month a year ago, marking the 13th straight month of declines.

Simms appointed Bart Bonime, formerly director of fishing at Patagonia, as VP of product design & merchandising.

Fleet Feet announced that A Running Start in West Reading, PA, will partner with Fleet Feet as a location effective immediately. Current owner, founder, and chief running officer of A Running Start Sorita Averill-Fitzgerald will remain owner of the store, which she first opened in 2004.

Celerant Technology, a leading provider of innovative retail and e-commerce solutions, and SSI Data, the leading retail POS data analytics technology serving the global active lifestyle retail market, announced new integration tools that enables retailers to connect easily with SSI Data and gain easy access to robust total marketplace trend reporting tools and reports.

Nike Golf added a number of golf ambassadors, including Patrick Reed, the five-time PGA Tour winner.

Adidas Golf announced that it has extended the contract of 2017 Masters Champion Sergio Garcia, re-signed 2017 PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year and TOUR Championship winner Xander Schauffele, and signed three-time European Tour winner Tyrrell Hatton to apparel and footwear contracts.

Callaway Golf announced that Sergio Garcia, the reigning Masters Champion, has joined its Tour Professional Staff.

Sloane Stephens, formerly Under Armour’s top female tennis endorser, has signed a deal with Nike.

Callaway Golf announced that Xander Schauffele, a rising star on the PGA Tour, has joined its professional staff.

Yeti announced new partnerships with some of the nation’s most historic mountain resorts, including: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, Copper Mountain, Killington Resort, Mt. Bachelor Village Resort, and Steamboat Resort.

Zumiez raised its guidance for the fourth quarter due to stronger than expected quarter-to-date sales and product margin performance. Comps rose 7.9 percent in December.

The Buckle announced that comparable store net sales, for stores open at least one year, for the 5-week period ended December 30, 2017 decreased 4.1 percent.

J. C. Penney Company announced that its comparable store sales for the combined nine-week period ending December 30, 2017 increased 3.4 percent over the same period last year. The company also reaffirmed all components of its most recent full-year financial guidance for fiscal 2017.

Macy’s announced that its comparable sales on an owned basis increased 1.0 percent in the months of November and December 2017 combined, compared to the same period last year. The department-store giant also said it was planning 5,000 job cuts in 2018 and would close seven previously unidentified stores that were not part of a batch of 100 store closures first announced in August 2016.

Stable Step, LLC, a leading provider of prefabricated orthotics and insoles under the Powerstep brand, has filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida against Foot Care Store, Inc./Dia-Foot, distributor and retailer of Pure Stride orthotics.

Flowfold has partnered with The Taku Agency and veteran sales rep Beaty Jackson to increase wholesale distribution of Flowfold products starting in 2018.

O.F. Mossberg and Sons, America’s oldest family-owned and operated firearms manufacturer, announced the hiring of marketing executive, Richard (Rich) Kirk, to the role of senior director of marketing.

Nikwax, the specialist in aftercare products for outdoor performance gear and apparel, is celebrating POW and The Conservation Alliance by throwing the biggest happy hour raffle OR has ever seen.

Nepal has moved to ban solo climbers from taking on its dangerous mountains, including Mount Everest, among other stipulations, to reduce accidents.

Brian Kelleghan, owner of Bison Designs, was recently elected to serve as national nonprofit Choose Outdoors’ vice chairman.

Vans launches its ninth annual Custom Culture competition, inspiring high school art students nationwide to be creative and show support for art programs in schools.

Photo courtesy Erehwon Mountain Outfitter