Blacktusk Outdoors Acquires Lucky Strike Bait Works

Toronto-based Blacktusk Outdoors has acquired the Lucky Strike fishing lure brand. Plans are underway to reinvest Lucky Strike in product design, expand into new categories and increase reach across North American and international markets.

MeatEater to Open Store in Wisconsin

MeatEater, the hunt & fish specialty retailer, announced plans to open a store at The Corners of Brookfield in Wisconsin, representing its second store. MeatEater’s flagship store opened in April 2024 near its headquarters in downtown Bozeman, MT.

EXEC: Osprey Grows, Hydro Flask Slows in First Quarter

Shares of Helen of Troy tumbled about 23 percent Thursday, July 10, after the company reported a loss in the fiscal first quarter ended May 31 on a 10.8 sales decline and issued guidance for the current quarter that was well below analyst targets. Of the sales decline, approximately eight percentage points was attributed to tariffs.

Deloitte Sees Flat Back-To-School Spending

Deloitte’s 18th Annual Back-to-School Survey finds that spending for K-12 students will remain flat at $30.9 billion this year. Parents surveyed expect to spend $570 per student in grades K-12, down just $16 year-over-year. Overall, parents will spend on essentials, trading down on brands and retailers, and spreading out purchases over time.
 

Pentland Returns Ellesse to U.S. in New Licensing Deal

The exclusive, long-term licensing partnership will see The Iconic Brand Corporation design, develop, produce, and market Ellesse apparel and accessories in the U.S. in collaboration with Ellesse’s London team. The first collection will launch in Spring 2026.

Osprey and Hydro Flask Parent’s Home & Outdoor Segment Sales Retreat in Fiscal Q1

Helen of Troy, Ltd. reported sales in its Home & Outdoor segment, which includes Hydro Flask, Osprey and Oxo, declined 10.3 percent in the fiscal first quarter ended May 31 due in part to weaker demand for insulated beverageware and the cancellation of orders due to tariffs. Sales are expected to decline in the range of 16.5 percent to 11.5 percent in the fiscal second quarter.