Frasers Group, the U.K.-based parent of Sports Direct, submitted a planning application for a new global headquarters campus at Ansty in Rugby, Warwickshire. The company’s current headquarters are in Shirebrook, Derbyshire.
Category: Outdoor

EXEC: An Inside Look at On as Company Builds a “True Sportswear Brand”
On is also looking to expand its share with core runners as part of a long-term goal to become the world’s leading running shoe but recent findings show the brand being worn by just 15 percent of runners on major running routes in Miami and only 7 percent in New York City.

Suunto Unveils Plans for U.S. Direct Distribution
Suunto has implemented a new system to directly distribute its products to U.S. retailers, one of the Finnish company’s key initiatives in expanding its business in North America.

Alterra Mountain Company Adds Three Execs to Leadership Team
Krista Sprenger is the new chief development officer, Gui Karyo chief technology officer and Andrew Bodziak was appointed executive vice president of Hospitality.

EXEC: Hydro Flask and Osprey on Divergent Paths in Fiscal Q2
Osprey reportedly surpassed expectations for the third straight quarter with help from improving travel demand, but Hydro Flask continued to be pressured by a shift in consumer preference from insulated bottles to tumblers.

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Names VP of Programs
Outdoor Recreation Roundtable promoted Chris Perkins to vice president of programs.

EXEC: U.K. Retailers Facing Rising Retail Crime Demand Government Action
The 2023 BRC Crime Survey showed incidents of violence and abuse towards retail workers had almost doubled from pre-pandemic levels to 867 incidents every day in 2021/22. Top executives at JD Sports were signatories to the demand letter.

Report: Shot Show is Now the Third Largest Trade Show in Vegas
The show is now the eighth largest trade show in America, according to Trade Show Executive’s just-released Gold 100 rankings. The rankings were based on trade shows held throughout the U.S. in 2022 and measured by net square feet.

American Outdoor Brands Names COO
American Outdoor Brands Inc. said Brent Vulgamott, vice president of sales, operations and analytics, was promoted to chief operating officer, a newly created role. Vulgamott will continue to lead all facets of the company’s sales, operations, and analytics functions.
Hydro Flask, Osprey Parent Sees Flattish Outdoor Segment Sales In Fiscal Q2
Helen of Troy reported sales in its Home & Outdoor segment, including OXO, Hydro Flask and Osprey eased 0.2 percent in the fiscal second quarter ending August 31, to $240.0 million.

EXEC: JLL Holiday Survey Sees Experiences Weighing on Traditional Gift Spend
In the JLL 2023 Holiday Shopping Survey Report consumers are poised to increase spending on entertainment and experiences during the holiday season but at the expense of the amount they would have spent on gift giving. The survey found spending on physical goods to decline 13.8 percent.

The Good Feet Store Opens 250th Location
The Good Feet Store, based in Carlsbad, CA, announced a milestone with the opening of its 250th store, in partnership with franchisee group, The Watermans. The new store is located at 4400 Hwy 6 #200 in College Station, TX.

PleasureLand RV Centers Owner Dan Pearson Passes Away
The RV Dealers Association (RVDA) issued a statement today, October 3, informing the industry and RVDA membership that Dan Pearson, owner of PleasureLand RV Centers, headquartered in St. Cloud, MN, has passed away.

Gunpowder, Inc. Adds Three Hires in Strategic Move
The company noted that the hire of Josh Ward, Michelle Gandola and Alex Gaziano in the third quarter of 2023, reflected the Wisconsin-based agency’s “commitment to strengthening its public relations and digital marketing capabilities.”

Nordstrom Plans Another Texas Rack Store
With the addition of this new location, two stores opening this fall in Denton and Allen, and the recently-opened location in San Antonio, Nordstrom will operate 22 Nordstrom Rack stores and eight Nordstrom stores in Texas.