The Outdoor Industry Association has announced the winners of the inaugural Together We Are a Force awards to celebrate the collaborative spirit of the outdoor industry.
Author: SGB Media

Urban Outfitters’ Profits Soar In Q2
Boosted by a 13 percent hike in comparable store sales, Urban Outfitters Inc. reported second-quarter profits rose 85.9 percent to $92.8 million, or 84 cents a share, exceeding Wall Street’s consensus estimate of 77 cents.
US Lacrosse Announces Yale’s Andy Shay As LaxCon Speaker
US Lacrosse on Wednesday announced Yale men’s lacrosse coach and 2018 national champion Andy Shay as a featured speaker for boys’ lacrosse coaches at the 2019 US Lacrosse Convention (LaxCon), set for Jan. 11-13 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.
Youth On Course Partners With Pinehurst Resort And Country Club
Youth on Course—the nonprofit organization providing young people with subsidized golf, college scholarships, paid internships and a caddie program—has partnered with Pinehurst Resort and Country Club to include select golf courses to the company’s portfolio of 900-plus member properties.

Champion Athleticwear Debuts New Retail Store In New York City
Athletic apparel company Champion Athleticwear has expanded the company’s retail footprint with a second U.S. retail specialty store opening in New York City, at 434 Broadway.
REI Co-Op Extends Used Gear Digital Platform
REI Co-op is reaffirming the company’s commitment to sustainable, affordable pre-loved gear for customers, with a refreshed used gear website featuring new brands and more product categories available for purchase and a series of member-to-member gear swaps and a team of employees dedicated to getting lightly used products in the hands of more customers.

Target Scores Best Quarterly Comp In 13 Years
Target Corp. reported second-quarter earnings that topped Wall Street’s targets on comparable sales growth of 6.5 percent and traffic growth of 6.4 percent. The discount giant lifted its guidance for the year.
Sportfishing Industry Association Appoints New Government Affairs Policy Director
The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) announced that Clay Crabtree, most recently a legislative analyst with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has joined the ASA staff as policy director.
Gander Outdoors Sets Grand Opening In Plattsburgh, NY
Gander Outdoors, formerly known as Gander Mountain, is now open in Plattsburgh, NY. A grand opening event is planned for Saturday, August 25, 2018 at 60 Smithfield Boulevard. The 43,000-square-foot location is one of five facilities in the state.
Ortholite Hires Marty Greenwald As Global Sales Director
OrthoLite announced the hire of Marty Greenwald as global sales director. This new position will further expand OrthoLite’s reach geographically while providing additional support to both brand partners and the entire OrthoLite sales organization in the United States, Asia, Europe, South America and beyond.

Croakies Returns For Second Year As Pacific Paddle Games Sponsor
Croakies announced the company has reached an agreement with the stand-up paddle community’s biggest race weekend, the Pacific Paddle Games presented by Salt Life (October 6 – 7, Dana Point, CA), returning as a Gold Level event sponsor and the exclusive eyewear retainer for 2018.

TJX Cos. Finding Off-Price Formula Appealing To Youth
Finding younger consumers being drawn to the company’s deal-driven, treasure hunt experience, TJX Cos. raised the company’s full-year forecast after reporting second-quarter results that handily topped Wall Street’s targets.

J.C. Penney Launching Shaquille O’Neal Big & Tall Line
Building on the company’s partnership with NBA legend and television personality Shaquille “Shaq” O’Neal, J.C. Penney is unveiling an all-new, exclusive big & tall brand, Shaquille O’Neal XLG.

Nike Criticized For Selling ‘Menacing’ Balaclava
Nike Inc. has been taking a lot of heat on social media for selling a black balaclava that looks “menacing” and could incite gang violence, according to critics.
Hyland’s Partners With Hood To Coast
Hyland’s, a specialist in cramp relief for endurance athletes, is partnering with the Hood To Coast relay, an event that begins on August 24 at the base of Mount Hood and finishes 199 miles later in Seaside, OR.