Grassroots Outdoor Alliance Announces 2019 Award Nominees 

Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, the national organization dedicated to the health and growth of specialty outdoor retail, this week announced nominees for their 2019 retailer and vendor awards.  Vendor of the year nominees include Kelty, Lowa Boots, Smartwool and The North Face.

Oros To Relocate To Portland, OR

Oros, a Cincinnati-based outdoor apparel digital start-up, will move from the Queen City, OH to Portland, OR in June, the Portland Business Journal reports.

JD Sports Off To Strong Start In U.S.

So far so good for Finish Line under its new owner, JD Sports. JD Sports said Finish Line’s comps were up 7 percent in 2018 with sales trends improving as the year progressed. The first JD stores to land in the U.S. are also seeing encouraging initial results.

Academy’s Struggles Continued In 2018

In an update, Moody’s Investors Service confirmed the debt ratings and outlook of Academy, Ltd., the parent of Academy Sports & Outdoors, while also indicating that the retailer’s financial performance continues to erode. The report noted that Academy’s comps declined in the mid-single-digit range and EBITDA declined 12 percent in 2018.

RECALL: Specialized Bicycles

About 63,000 bicycles with steerer tube collars from Specialized Bicycle Components are being recalled. The bicycle’s steerer tube collar can crack if exposed to corrosion resulting in sudden loss of steering control, posing fall and injury hazards to the rider.

SRAM Acquires PowerTap

SRAM announced the acquisition of the PowerTap line of bicycle power meters from Saris. The PowerTap product line includes the PowerTap P2 Pedal power meter system and the PowerTap G3 Hub power meter line.