Shane Wallace, Pentland Brands’ North American VP of Portfolio Brands, recently talked with SGB Executive about the Berghaus brand’s North America retail debut through REI, Canada’s Altitude Sports, JD Sports, Hatchet Outdoor Supply Co., and other limited distribution points.
Author: Thomas J. Ryan
Thomas J. Ryan
Senior Business Editor | SGB Media
tryan@sgbonline.com | 917.375.4699
EXEC: Ames Watson’s Lawrence Berger Talks the Lids Turnaround
Lawrence Berger, co-founder of Ames Watson, explains how the private-equity firm has helped reinvent and revive the Lids fan chain with a focus on exclusivity, customization, and cultural relevance.
EXEC: Royal Robbins President Erik Burbank Looks to Recapture Brand’s Adventure Roots
Following the introduction of a new integrated strategy, which included paring down about a third of its SKUs over the last two years, Royal Robbins is back in growth mode with a focused product line and a commitment to returning to its founders’ adventure roots. Erik Burbank, Royal Robbins’ global brand president, talks to SGB Executive about the brand’s revival.
EXEC: Game One Looks to Create National Team Dealer with Local Focus
Pat Weber, Game One’s president and CEO, spoke with SGB Media about the dealer’s ambition to build a national platform, how technology is reinventing customer interactions in the team space and the firm’s commitment to local service.
EXEC: Rutabaga Owner Darren Bush Talks Moving On From Retail – But Not Community
Darren Bush, the owner of Rutabaga Paddlesports, surprised the outdoor community with his recent announcement that he plans to shutter his store in Madison, WI, at the close of 2025, although he believes paddling retail can work with top-notch service.
EXEC: Jonathan Lantz Discusses La Sportiva’s Ascent in the U.S.
Jonathan Lantz, president of La Sportiva North America since 2007 and with the Italian brand since 1995, spoke with SGB Media about how the brand first established itself in the U.S., as well as climbing, trail, and hiking shoe trends, the current struggles facing the outdoor specialty channel, and his personal outdoor journey.
EXEC: How Wisconsin’s Sherper’s Has Survived 90 Years Serving Outdoor Retail Consumers
SGB Executive spoke with Nathan Scherper, fourth-generation owner and president of Wisconsin’s Sherper’s, about how the outdoor retailer has reached 90 years, backed by its eclectic product mix and unique value proposition. At a time when the outdoor retail market is seeing closures across the country and retailers point their fingers at a variety of reasons, Sherper’s has weathered the storm with its unique approach to retailing and a strong connection to their customers and vendors.
EXEC: Astral Founder & CEO Finds Growth In and Out of the Water
Philip Curry, the founder and CEO of Astral, shared with SGB Executive the origins behind the eco-conscious brand, its success in water shoes, the inroads the company has made in the trail shoe and hemp apparel categories, and the push to extend Astral to the broader outdoor market.
EXEC: RIA Sees Modest Run Specialty Growth in First Half
Despite strong growth in mainstream channels, sales in the run specialty channel were flat in the first half of 2025, according to the Running Industry Association (RIA). The RIA projects only low-to-mid single-digit growth for the channel for the full year.
Sports Direct Parent Frasers Group Adds Board Member
The parent of Sports Direct, Slazenger, Donnay, LA Gear, No Fear, and Antigua, has proposed the appointment of Jacky Wright, , most recently chief technology and platform officer at McKinsey & Company, as non-executive director on September 24, pending final Board approval.
EXEC: Athleta Eyes Lengthy Recovery as Q2 Comps Tumble 9 Percent
Gap, Inc. reported Athleta’s same-store sales slumped 9 percent, again missing plan amid heavy markdowns. During Gap Inc.’s analyst call, Gap officials expressed optimism that the recent hiring of Maggie Gauger, a longtime Nike veteran, as Athleta’s president would support a turnaround, while also stressing that the reset will take time.
Dick’s SG Hikes FY Outlook as Q2 Results Jump Past Targets
Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. raised its guidance for sales and earnings for the year after reporting second-quarter results that easily surpassed Wall Street guidance. Same-store sales jumped 5 percent in the period, surpassing the analysts’ consensus target of 3.1 percent, driven by growth in average ticket and transactions.
EXEC: Turtle Fur’s New CEO Erika Canfield Eyes Outdoor Lifestyle Opportunity
Erika Canfield, who was promoted to CEO of Turtle Fur effective August 1, spoke with SGB Executive about Turtle Fur’s legacy on the ski slopes as well as the brand’s moves to expand beyond winter gear into year-round lifestyle and performance accessories.
EXEC: A Focused Look at a Strong Q2 for the Running Footwear Category
A deep dive into the running footwear business at retail, with details from Adidas, Altra, Asics, Brooks, Hoka, Nike, On, and Saucony, across a strong performance business and a fast-growing lifestyle, or sportstyle business, in run-inspired silhouettes.
EXEC: OIA President Kent Ebersole Talks About Community
Kent Ebersole, president of the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), spoke with SGB Executive about the organization’s mission-driven focus, the challenges facing the outdoor industry beyond tariffs and revitalizing a national industry tradeshow.
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