Over the past week, dozens of executives across the active lifestyle industry shared their outlook for 2019 with SGB. We reached out to large, medium and small brands and retailers in sporting goods, footwear, apparel, outdoors and tactical with two simple questions that were fairly open-ended: What gives you optimism and what causes concern in the coming year? This is the first of a two-part series that gauges what the industry’s key players think will or won’t happen in 2019.
Category: Outdoor
Dakine Appoints David Orr To Global General Manager
Dakine Equipment LLC—a division of JR286 Inc., in partnership with Marquee Brands—on Wednesday announced the appointment of David Orr as global general manager. A veteran in the outdoor and sporting goods industries, Orr will be responsible for leading all aspects of product creation, sales and operations for Dakine.
POC Hires Brendan Murphey As North American Marketing Manager
POC—a manufacturer of ski, snowboarding and cycling helmets, eyewear, apparel and protection—has named Brendan Murphey as marketing manager for North America.
Croakies Announces New Lifetime Warranty Policy
Croakies, the original manufacturer of industry-leading outdoor retention products, announced, effective immediately, the introduction of a new Manufacturer’s Lifetime Warranty policy across the breadth of its product categories.
USA Cycling Hires Former New Balance CEO Rob DeMartini
The USA Cycling Board of Directors has named Rob DeMartini as president and chief executive officer of USA Cycling. DeMartini joins the organization from New Balance Athletics, Inc. where he spent the last 12 years as president and CEO.
Tariffs Hit Helen Of Troy’s Outlook But Company Still Bullish On China
Declining e-commerce business in China prompted Hydro Flask parent company Helen of Troy Ltd. to reduce its full-year sales outlook. The softness, a result of the ongoing trade war with China, might have dampened an otherwise strong third quarter performance, but it didn’t diminish the company’s long-term view of China as a key marketplace.
Wells Fargo: Industry Facing Risks Amid China Slowdown
After Apple announced lower-than-expected performance over the holiday season on January 2, Wells Fargo in a note said concerns over slowing growth in China may cause a “negative read-through” for Nike, Adidas, Skechers and other consumer-goods companies with big exposures to China.
Suunto Launches Partner Program To Expand Its Digital Ecosystem
Suunto, a global leader in sports watches, dive computers and precision instruments, has announced the new Suunto Partner Program, inviting interested companies to join Suunto’s growing digital ecosystem. By opening the Suunto Cloud API, companies can join existing partners, like Strava and TrainingPeaks, to connect, engage and support Suunto’s network of engaged sports enthusiasts through the Suunto App.
Retail Imports Level Off After Rush To Beat Tariffs
Imports at the nation’s major retail container ports have slowed down after a months-long rush to beat increased tariffs on goods from China, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
Outdoor Afro Welcomes Keen’s Ashley Williams To Board Of Directors
Outdoor Afro, a national non-profit whose mission is to create and inspire black leadership in nature, just announced its newest board member, Ashley Williams, senior director, global marketing Keen Inc. Keen and Williams have been long-standing supporters of Outdoor Afro.
Helen Of Troy Lowers Guidance On China Softening
Helen of Troy Limited, the parent of Hydro Flask, reported earnings and revenue in the third quarter exceeded expectations, but the company trimmed its full-year sales outlook citing deceleration of growth in China e-commerce.
Camping World Acquires Minnesota RV Dealer
Camping World Holdings Inc. announced that it has closed on the acquisition of Coates RV with locations in Hugo and Cloquet in Minnesota.
Wigwam Socks Announces Ambassadors Search
Wigwam Mills Inc., the maker of premium, made-in-the-USA socks, has announced it is searching for Wigwam brand ambassadors to wear and represent their socks and the Wigwam brand during the current year. The program, called #TeamWigwam, will include a diverse group of approximately 12 of athletes.
Third Gander Outdoors Location Closes
Camping World has closed a Gander Outdoors stores in Appleton, WI, the third Gander Outdoors to close since re-opening the former Gander Mountain chain.
Sporting Goods’ Purge: Where Did They Land?
The liquidation of Sports Authority and other retail closures and mega-mergers over the last few years led to many executives finding new jobs inside and outside the industry. See where many landed.
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