Author: SGB Media

Exxel Outdoors—whose portfolio includes Sierra Designs, Kelty, Ultimate Direction, Slumberjack, Wenzel, X2O and others—is moving its headquarters to Broomfield, CO, from nearby Gunbarrel in the first quarter of 2020. CEO Harry Kazazian spoke with SGB about how “growth mode” across all Exxel brands drove the decision to relocate.

Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including Hestra, the 83-year-old Swedish glove maker, relocating its U.S. headquarters to a newly constructed 32,000-square-foot space in Arvada, CO, and adding three key hires as it continues to scale its U.S. business.

Athleta saw an “acceleration” in growth in the second quarter and remains committed to opening 25 stores this year, Art Peck, president and CEO of Gap Inc., said on his company’s conference call with analysts.

Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc. raised its full-year outlook while reporting its strongest quarterly comp gain since 2016. The performance was in large part tied to a 19.0 percent hike in inventory levels. Dick’s officials indicated other newer strategies – including increasing space to faster-growing categories, forming closer partnerships with key vendors and differentiated marketing – are also starting to pay off.

A new business model that has at least two major department stores turning to old product for a much-needed revenue boost dominated second-quarter headlines among the retail giants. SGB’s Q2 department store roundup includes a look at the trend of online reselling, which gives price-conscious shoppers access to designer brands—and gives stores a boost to their top lines.