Thule Group reported a 13.8 percent gain in sales in the first quarter and advanced 7.5 percent on a currency-neutral basis.
Category: Outdoor
Helen of Troy’s Q4 Housewares Sales Expand 8 Percent
Helen of Troy Limited said sales in its Housewares segment, which includes OXO and Hydro Flask, increased 7.8 percent in the fourth quarter ended February 28, to $126.1 million. The gains were primarily due to growth in the online channel, higher club channel sales, new product introductions and growth in international sales.
Vail Resorts Sees Healthy Close To North American Ski Season
Vail Resorts reported season-to-date total lift ticket revenue at the company’s North American mountain resorts, including an allocated portion of season pass revenue for each applicable period, was up 9.3 percent compared to the prior year season-to-date period.
Trust Performance Appoints Reps
Trust Performance, known for its bike suspension systems, announced the formation of partnerships with six independent, outside sales rep groups.

Cherokee Global Brands Sees Double-Digit Q4 Growth For Hi-Tec
Cherokee Global Brands reported sales declined 11 percent in the fourth quarter due to a shift from direct-to-retail (DTR) through a wholesale licensing model. A bright spot, however, was the Hi-Tec brand, which delivered a 12 percent gain in revenues year-over-year.

Rocky Brands Inc. Ramps Up Reinvestment After Strong Q1
Marketing efforts clearly paid off for Rocky Brands Inc. in the first quarter, with the company reporting a 9.1 percent earnings increase on a 7.4 percent revenue gain, both of which beat Wall Street’s estimates. Now the company plans to double down on that strategy by reinvesting some of the profits from last quarter into a revamped and rejuvenated marketing strategy aimed at taking more share across end markets.
Adidas, Reebok and Patagonia top 2019 Fashion Transparency Index
Three sportswear and outdoor brands – Adidas, Reebok and Patagonia – are leading the way on transparency amongst the world’s 200 largest fashion brands and retailers by disclosing a wide range of human rights policies, commitments and outcomes, as well as who their suppliers are, Fashion Revolution’s Fashion Transparency Index 2019 revealed.

Consumers Willing To Pay Up For Sustainability
According to CGS 2019 U.S. Consumer Sustainability Survey, more than two-thirds of Americans consider sustainability when making a purchase and are willing to pay more for sustainable products. Gen Z shoppers led the way, with 68 percent having made an eco-friendly purchase in the past year.

Nike Inc. Creating Separation In Athletic Apparel
Nike Inc.’s athletic apparel offering is gaining mindshare among consumers in four categories—innovation, fashion, style and value—mostly at the expense of Under Armour, according to a recent survey from Canaccord Genuity Capital Markets.
Oboz Footwear Adds Freestone Sales Group For The Rockies
Oboz Footwear, the outdoor footwear company headquartered in Bozeman, announced that Freestone Sales Group will be representing the brand in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.

Fischer Skis U.S. Taps Sergio Kiehl As CEO And President
Fischer Skis U.S., LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of privately-held Fischer Sports GmbH, has announced Sergio Kiehl as CEO and president.

Bass Pro Appoints Chief Marketing Officer
Bass Pro Shops announced that Jamie Sohosky has been appointed as chief marketing officer for the Great Outdoors Group of companies. In her most recent role as VP, marketing, customer experience at Walmart U.S.
Columbia To Support Planet Water Foundation On Earth Day
In honor of Earth Day, Columbia Sportswear will match all customer donations made to Planet Water Foundation at its U.S. retail stores on April 22, Earth Day.
Pocket Outdoor Media Makes Hires ForAdds VeloNews And BRAIN
Pocket Outdoor Media has added six industry veterans to its sales staff for VeloNews, Bicycle Retailer & Industry News, Triathlete, PodiumRunner and Women’s Running.
OIA Secures $40 Million In Tariff Savings
The Outdoor Industry Association’s Trade Advisory Council was able to get 10 footwear-related Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) petitions approved, some of which reduced import duties from 37.5 percent to zero.