Thule Group reported underlying EBIT rose 10.6 percent in the fourth quarter on a 4.7 percent revenue gain. On a currency-neutral basis, sales were up 0.6 percent and were down 5.7 percent in the Americas region.
Category: Outdoor

Kombi Sports Appoints Head Of Marketing And Digital
Kombi Sports Inc. announced that it has appointed Nathalie Binda as global vice president of marketing and digital. She joins the company’s senior leadership team. Binda joins Kombi from DavidsTea.

Implus Corp. Announces Leadership Transition
Implus Corp., a leader provider of athletic, fitness and outdoor accessories, appointed Michael B. Polk as interim chief executive officer. Seth Richards, Implus CEO, and Todd Vore, president, are transitioning their leadership roles and will be leaving the company to pursue other opportunities.

VF Corp Provides Update On Coronavirus Impact
VF Corp. said that at this time, about 60 percent of VF’s owned and partner stores in China have been temporarily closed due to coronavirus mitigation efforts. Stores currently open have experienced significant declines in retail traffic.

Canada Goose Slashes Outlook On Coronavirus Fallout
Canada Goose cut its full-year forecast for sales and profit after reporting that the coronavirus is “having a material negative impact” on results. Sales are now expected to expand in the range of 13.8 percent to 15.0 percent in its year ended March 31, compared to at least 20 percent growth previously.

Columbia Sportswear’s Q4 Impacted By Promotional Climate
Columbia Sportswear reported net earnings dipped 2 percent in the fourth quarter against adjusted year-ago results but still exceeded Wall Street’s consensus target. Revenues expanded 4 percent. Tim Boyle, CEO, said in a statement, “A challenging retail environment, particularly in outerwear, impacted sell-through performance and led to higher levels of promotional activity.”

Mammoth Coolers Secures Nationwide Sales Representation
Mammoth Coolers announced that they now have nationwide sales representation coverage.

L.L.Bean Announces Layoffs, Plans To Close Lewiston Call Center
L.L.Bean said it plans to layoff 200 employees companywide at the end of February and close its call center in Lewiston, ME in 2021.

Oros Opens Pop-Up In Chicago
Oros, the outerwear start-up based in Portland, OR, has opened a pop-up in Chicago.

Valentine’s Day Spending Set To Increase 32 Percent
Those celebrating Valentine’s Day plan to spend an average $196.31 this year, up 21 percent over last year’s previous record of $161.96. Spending is expected to total $27.4 billion, up 32 percent from last year’s record $20.7 billion, according to the annual survey released by the National Retail Federation.

Garmin Signs Multiyear Deal To Sponsor Bassmaster Tournament Trail
Garmin International Inc. signed a three-year deal to become a sponsor of the Bassmaster Tournament Trail, beginning with the first Bassmaster Elite Series event on the St. Johns River in Palatka, FL.

VF Corp. To Move Global Innovation Center To Denver
VF Corp. will move its Global Innovation Center in Alameda, CA to Denver, according to the Denver Business Journal.

SIA Announces Snowbound Consumer Expos
Snowsports Industries America (SIA) announced the finalization of its acquisition of the Denver and Boston Ski and Snowboard Expos from BEWI Production, Inc. and the launch of the re-branded events as Snowbound.

CGPR Sold To French/West/Vaughan
French/West/Vaughan (FWV), the public relations, advertising and digital marketing agency based in Raleigh, NC, announced the acquisition of CGPR, a public relations and marketing agency specializing in the active lifestyle, outdoor, ski, fashion, technology and travel sectors.

Life Is Good Partners With Austin Adventures, High Sierra And American Tourister
Life is Good announced a three- year partnership extension with Austin Adventures, the tour service, and High Sierra and American Tourister, Samsonite’s adventure and lifestyle luggage brands. High Sierra will become the official gear partner of Life is Good Adventures.