Kelly Nester, CEO of Nester Hosiery, spoke with SGB Executive about last year’s acquisition of Fox River Socks; opportunities in private label, licensed properties, and Farm to Feet; and Nester Hosiery’s 33 years in socks innovation.
Author: Thomas J. Ryan
Thomas J. Ryan
Senior Business Editor | SGB Media
tryan@sgbonline.com | 917.375.4699
EXEC: SGB 2026 Look Ahead — Outdoor Market Leaders (Part 2)
Vendors, retailers and trade association leaders in the outdoor space expect cautious buying stances from outdoor retailers to continue in 2026 amid trade and economic uncertainty, but still see outdoor enthusiasts prioritizing innovation, durability and sustainability as well as outdoor adventures. Insights from industry leaders at Grassroots, Gregory, Merry People, Sun & Ski Sports, SIA, Nemo Equipment, Tersus Solutions and more…
EXEC: SGB 2026 Look Ahead — Outdoor Market Leaders (Part 1)
Vendors, retailers, and trade association leaders in the outdoor space expect cautious buying from outdoor retailers to continue in 2026 amid trade and economic uncertainty; however, they see outdoor enthusiasts prioritizing innovation, durability, sustainability, and outdoor adventures. Insights from industry leaders at ASA, Coulée Coffee, OIA, Ocean Bottle, RVIA, Gordini, Nite Ize, Ketl Mtn., NBDA, NMMA, Zamberlan, and more…
EXEC: SGB 2026 Look Ahead — Sports & Fitness Market Leaders
Despite ongoing uncertainty about tariffs, executives in the sports and fitness space remain generally upbeat about prospects for 2026, encouraged by strong interest in activities ranging from running to golf, flag football, and strength training. Insights from industry leaders at Academy Sports, BSN Sports, Bauer, Rawlings, Life Fitness, SFIA, NSGA, CEP Americas, Game One and more…
EXEC: SGB 2026 Look Ahead — Active Lifestyle Footwear Leaders
Footwear leaders in the active lifestyle space are hopeful that product differentiation and enhanced online engagement can help soften the sting of higher footwear prices in 2026. Forecasts for 2026 from industry leaders at AAFA, Altra Running, Brooks Running, Circana, Charm City Run, Diadora, FDRA, Fleet Feet, Gazelle Sports, Lowa, Playmakers, and RG Barry Brands.
EXEC: SGB 2026 Look Ahead – Active Lifestyle Industry Analysts and Advisors
This is the first installment in a series of articles from SGB Media exploring the industry’s outlook for 2026, with future reporting to include the viewpoints of vendors, retailers, component companies, and trade organizations in the active and outdoor lifestyle space. Insights from executives at Houlihan Lokey, RW Baird, Lincoln International, Karnan Associates, Wells Fargo, Stifel, BCE Consulting, and Outsize Consulting.
TRE Session: Hoka Sales Fall at Run Specialty as Nike Rebounds and Topo Surges
Karnan Associates’ data, presented at The Running Event (TRE), showed that five of this year’s top-selling footwear brands in the run specialty channel were Brooks, Hoka, New Balance, Asics, and Saucony, respectively, down a collective 7.4 percent in the 12 months through September.
Backcountry’s Kevin Lenau Discusses AI-Driven Transformation, Outdoor Opportunity
Lenau discusses the AI-driven transformation the company is undergoing since it was acquired by CSC Generation Enterprise (CSC), its recent acquisitions of Velotech and Level Nine Sports, its newer store and wholesale pushes, trends in the outdoor space, and the company’s website’s recently improved performance.
EXEC: Berghaus Parent Outlines British Outdoor Brand’s Expansion to North America
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.
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.
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