Author: Eric Smith

Two-thirds of Rocky Brands Inc.’s wholesale partners have been deemed essential during the coronavirus crisis, while the company’s own e-commerce channel has seen a spike in sales, both of which helped the company navigate an otherwise difficult first quarter. (Read More)

Last year was one of transition for REI Co-op, highlighted by a surprising and controversial change at CEO. But 2019 also saw the Kent, WA-based retail giant continue to ramp up its investment in the outdoor community. (Read More)

While golf is faring better than many other sports in the age of coronavirus, pain points have emerged across an otherwise solid industry. SGB Executive digs into the impact of this pandemic on golf play, manufacturing and retail. (Read More)

A strong start to Q1 helped Crocs Inc. withstand the severe financial hit that came in March as the coronavirus sparked rampant store closures and declining consumer spending. But global economic softness and the slow reopening of businesses in many markets where Crocs operates will provide significantly fiercer headwinds for the company. (Read More)

This article, part of an occasional series on how companies are adapting to digital processes in the age of coronavirus, looks at the newly developed sell-in program for climbing shoe brand Evolv. General Manager Bill Sinoff shares the reasoning behind it and why some components of this new model may stick around. (Read More)

The hottest category this side of a six-foot social distance is the ubiquitous neck tube primarily used in a variety of outdoor pursuits to protect wearers from the elements. Now, the makers of those products have seen demand spike as consumers look to protect themselves from the coronavirus. (Read More)

In another installment of SGB Executive’s series of interviews with industry leaders exploring how businesses are coping with the coronavirus, CamelBak President Greg Williamson provides an update on product demand, ways that CamelBak is supporting front-line medical workers and the brand’s hope for a renewed emphasis on outdoor activities once the outbreak has ended. (Read More)

As the White House looks to reopen the country, our latest Coronavirus Notebook looks at this week’s grim economic news that drove the president’s decision. We also recap our recent COVID-19 business coverage in case you missed anything. (Read More)

U.S. retail sales plummeted 8.7 percent to $483.1 billion in March from the previous month, their largest dip in three decades since the government started tracking the data, the Department of Commerce reported Wednesday. But that is just the first sign of what is sure to be a season-long bloodbath across the retail sector for any business not selling essential items such as groceries. (Read More)

Exxel Outdoors announced its acquisition of outdoor apparel and gear brand Compass 360 during an unlikely time for U.S. business expansion. Exxel CEO Harry Kazazian spoke exclusively with SGB Executive about the company’s reasons for moving forward with the deal despite the economic uncertainty. (Read More)

In another installment of SGB Executive’s series of interviews with industry leaders exploring how businesses are coping with the coronavirus, Outdoor Industry Association’s new executive director Lise Aangeenbrug discusses the challenges facing the outdoor industry, how OIA is helping member businesses cope and the industry’s path forward out of this unprecedented crisis. (Read More)

Sneaker culture is alive and well among teenagers, especially males, even as teens’ overall spending has declined amid the coronavirus, which has quickly become one of their top concerns. That was one of many key takeaways from investment bank Piper Sandler, which published its semi-annual Taking Stock With Teens Survey this week. (Read More)

In another installment of SGB Executive’s series of interviews with industry leaders exploring how businesses are coping with the coronavirus, Nick Sargent of Snowsports Industries America dishes on these troubling times for snow sports businesses, how SIA is responding and why he’s confident the industry will come back stronger than ever. (Read More)

How are active-lifestyle brands like Crocs, Nike and Lululemon plus retailers like Dick’s, Foot Locker and Hibbett navigating the coronavirus? Susquehanna’s most recent note says that the current crisis is weighing on all businesses, but some are better positioned than others. Here’s their ranking of 19 public companies based on who will emerge the strongest from this crisis. (Read More)

For this latest installment of the Coronavirus Notebook, SGB Executive looks at more “winners” that have emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic—including a water filtration and purification brand—plus a recap of our recent coronavirus coverage in case you missed it. (Read More)

Outdoor Retailer ended weeks of speculation Thursday afternoon when it finally pulled the plug on Summer Market in response to the coronavirus pandemic, which is ravaging U.S. business activity, including the cancellations of large gatherings like trade shows. OR will now pivot to a digital format, as other events have done in response to the crisis. (Read More)

Jon Barker, CEO of Sportsman’s Warehouse Holdings Inc., says the company is “positioned as well as anyone” in sporting goods retail in terms of dealing with the coronavirus—but it goes beyond selling firearms and ammunition. He spoke with SGB Executive about why Sportsman’s is in such a good spot. (Read More)

Three public companies—Compass Diversified Holdings, Sportsman’s Warehouse Holdings Inc. and Clarus Corp.—announced key acquisitions last month before the coronavirus all but stopped M&A activity. Most of the transactions that were announced came in the first half of March before social distancing took hold, the stock market collapsed, and businesses began shuttering operations and laying off employees. (Read More)

With ski resorts emptied and shops shuttered because of the coronavirus, what should be a booming season for snow sports specialty retailers has become the spring of their discontent. The channel is seeking ways to cope, but there’s no playbook for navigating this uncharted, unprecedented crisis. (Read More)