NSGA’s 2026 Edition of its Annual Sports Participation Study found 49 sports/activities, or 80 percent of the 61 tracked, showed increases in participation for 2025 compared to the prior year. Flag football, cheerleading, tennis, golf, pickleball, and hiking were among the sports seeing the strongest increases.
Category: Outdoor
March 2026 Mall Index Sees Midday Traffic Shrinking Year-Over-Year
The softness seen in March at indoor and outlet malls does not negate the strong start to 2026, which drove overall year-over-year visit growth in Q1. However, it does highlight what will be required to sustain that momentum going forward.
Backcountry Establishes Incubator Fund, Acquires Coalatree
Outdoor online retailer Backcountry.com announced the launch of Backcountry Garage, a brand incubator platform, with Coalatree, a Utah-based eco-minded gear and apparel brand, marking its first acquisition. JM Fabrizi, president of Coalatree, becomes director of Backcountry Garage.
Dick’s House of Sport to Open in Sarasota
Dick’s Sporting Goods plans to open a House of Sport location in Sarasota, becoming the experiential concept’s fourth location in the state of Florida and the first on the Suncoast.
Norrøna Opens London Flagship
The Norwegian outdoor brand Norrøna opened a new flagship store on Regent Street in London.
Roger Barton Stepping Down from Outdoor Research Leadership Role
A 32-year veteran of the outdoor and active apparel market, Roger Barton first joined Outdoor Research in 2018, initially serving in a dual capacity leading finance and operations. He was promoted to president in 2018.
Report: Western Winter Resorts Weakness Continued in March; Summer Bookings Up
Despite the snow and temperature challenges that persisted through the month, rate resilience continued with the Average Daily Rate managing to eke out a 1.3 percent year-over-year increase with growth in all six months except March which finished down 2.2 percent.
EXEC: Academy’s Chief Merchant Talks ‘Better, Best’ Push, Commitment to Newness
Matt McCabe, EVP and chief merchandising officer at Academy Sports + Outdoors, spoke with SGB Executive about the chain’s evolving merchandise strategy, including pushes to feature more premium product, prioritize newness, and reduce out-of-stocks and markdowns. He also shared fresh insights into the Academy shopper.
GoPro Tests Defense and Aerospace Market Opportunities
GoPro, Inc. announced that it will pursue new market opportunities for its technology within the defense and aerospace sector. It has engaged Oliver Wyman, a management consulting firm, to explore the space.
Mervin Manufacturing Acquired by Spring Capital Group
The owner of the Libtech, Bent Metal and Gnu action sports brands, has been acquired by Spring Capital Group, an Oregon‑based private investment firm.
Univ of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index Drops to All-Time Low on War Worries
Consumer sentiment has dropped to an all-time low this month (April) as fears mount over rising energy prices and the broader impact of the war in Iran, according to the latest University of Michigan survey.
EXEC: Resale Activity Continues to Boom
Recent surveys found a shift toward secondhand sales accelerating as consumers, particularly younger ones, seek value amid current inflationary pressures. For sellers of new products, a recent university study found that secondhand purchases supplement primary-market consumption rather than replace it.
Head USA Recalls Ski Boots
Head USA is recalling about 1,365 ski boots sold in the U.S. and another 525 sold in Canada. The brand said the fluorescent yellow materials of the boot shell and sole inserts can deteriorate and break, posing a fall risk.
ScubaPro Recalls Monorail Weight Pockets Due To Drowning Hazard
ScubaPro, a division of Johnson Outdoors, is recalling about 2,800 Monorail weight pockets, sold as an accessory to the brand’s Scuba Diving Buoyancy Compensator Device (BCD).
EXEC: Giant Group March Bike Shipment Decline Moderates on Easier Comps
March shipments declined 17.9 percent year-over-year to NT$5.60 billion, resulting in year-to-date (first quarter) decline of 25.7 percent to NT$12.5 billion and a two-year decline of 22.7 percent versus the March 2024 shipment value.
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