The Dyrt’s 2025 Camping Report found that millions of Americans continue to discover the activity, with 81.1 million Americans camping in 2024 and 5.8 million first-timer campers. Since 2021, over 25 million Americans have camped for the first time.
Category: Outdoor

Report: RV Shipments Rise 6.6 Percent in 2024; Towables Grow 16 Percent
Towables, particularly Conventional Travel Trailers, continued to post a strong performance, with an 11.4 percent increase in December shipments compared to the previous year and an 11.8 percent increase for the full year.

Brookfield-Backed Trimco Group Acquires Nexgen Packaging
Nexgen Packaging’s management team will continue to manage the business under its current CEO, Jim Welch. The acquisition will allow both companies to integrate their global sales and manufacturing networks.
BJ’s Wholesale Club Adding Ohio Ambient Distribution Center
The new 500,000-square-foot facility, expected to open in early 2027, will join eight BJ’s clubs in the state.

Circana Sees Consumers Shift Back to Value and Need in January
During the combined weeks ending January 11 and January 18, discretionary spending was down flat compared to the prior year, the company reported, with major environmental events impacting the country.
Canada Goose Obtains Regulatory Relief for Share Repurchase Program
Absent the exemptive relief, the company said purchases under the Current Bid on the U.S. Markets would be limited to a maximum of 5 percent of its outstanding shares at the beginning of any 12-month period.

Canada Goose Appoints Luxury Fashion Vet as SVP Merchandising
Judit Bankus, most recently chief merchandising officer at Stella McCartney, is expected to play a key role in shaping Canada Goose’s product roadmap through a lens of sustainability and innovation.

Equip Outdoor Moves Group Marketing Director to Senior Role in U.S. Office
Jon Frederick will move to Colorado and now reportedly function as a senior figure in the U.S. office. Ross Herr will remain as Equip’s VP of U.S. sales. Adam Chamberlain has reportedly left the business.

Bain & Co. Releases 2025 Retail Forecast, Outlines Key Initiatives for Retailers
Bain suggests in its report that retailers face a pivotal moment in 2025. The firm said that for retailers to thrive in 2025 it will require fresh strategies around emerging technologies, customer loyalty, operations, and adaptation.

EXEC: REI Greensboro Employees Unionize; SoHo Ski Workers Get PPE Agreement
RWDSU said in a statement that REI Greensboro workers first began organizing in the wake of REI’s October 2023 round of layoffs, which cut the jobs of 275 of “the most experienced workers.”

EXEC: Saucony Posts 60 Percent Retail Growth in China
MS (China) Sports Company Limited, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Xtep International Holdings Limited, operates under licensing and royalty agreements for the Merrell and Saucony brands and subsidiaries in China.

Fitbit to Pay $12.5M Fine for Failing to Report Ionic Smartwatch Defect
Despite possessing information that reasonably supported the conclusion that the Ionic Smartwatch contained a defect that could create a substantial product hazard or create an unreasonable risk of serious injury, Fitbit did not immediately report to the CPSC as required.

EXEC: Megabass is Latest Outdoor Brand to Partner with L Catterton
The deal positions the Japan-headquartered fishing gear manufacturer for further expansion by leveraging L Catterton’s operating capabilities and industry network on the back of rising demand for its products.

Norco Bicycles Appoints Alan Lewis as General Manager; CEO Sean Sullivan Exits
Live to Play Sports Group (LTP) and Norco Bicycles have appointed Alan Lewis, son of Founder Bert Lewis, as general manager. Company CEO Sean Sullivan is leaving after two years of leadership at LTP/Norco.

EXEC: KMD Saw Holiday Turnaround for Rip Curl; DTC Gives Lift to All Brands
The company said in its preliminary report that the total sales result was driven by improving trends in the direct-to-consumer channel for all brands. Wholesale sales have taken longer to recover and continue to decline year-over-year.