Ian Widmer, the founder of Progression Brands Group (PBG) talked to SGB about his company’s unique hybrid equity/management investment structure, the boutique’s investment criteria and the opportunities and challenges facing emering brands in today’s marketplace.
Category: Outdoor
Outdoor Research Awards $10K Grant To Cycling Nonprofit
Seattle-based outdoor apparel and gear manufacturer Outdoor Research has awarded the company’s second annual We Can Grant for $10,000 to The Winnipeg Repair Education and Cycling Hub (WRENCH).
TJX Raises Full-Year Guidance On Strong Q2
Apparel and home fashions retailer The TJX Cos. Inc. raised the company’s full-year guidance after reporting net sales for the second quarter ended August 4 increased 12 percent to $9.3 billion. Consolidated comparable store sales increased 6 percent over the comparable period last year ending August 5, 2017.
Industry Rallies Against Proposed Tariffs On China-Made Goods
Officials from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) and Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) testified in strong opposition to proposed tariffs on Chinese-made sports, fitness and outdoor products. The officials stated that the proposed tariffs would likely raise prices for consumers and lead to job losses while also stressing how essential sports and outdoor products are in supporting healthy and active lifestyles.
Mountain Destination Occupancy Slows But Still Ahead Of 2017
Aggregated data released last week by Inntopia in their monthly DestiMetrics Market Briefing revealed that while occupancy growth at mountain destinations is slowing slightly as the year progresses, overall metrics continue to creep upward toward an expected seventh consecutive summer record.
SGB Executive Q&A: Confluence Outdoor VP Of Marketing Todd King
Todd King, the vice president of marketing for Confluence Outdoor—parent of such renowned paddlesports brands as Perception, Dagger, Wilderness Systems and Mad River—spoke with SGB about what’s happening with the company and some of the issues facing the industry today.
Retail Reports Roundup
Studies arrived last week on consumers placing a higher priority on newness, online cart abandonment challenges, digital marketing’s effectiveness, strapped consumers and stores associate bonds helping deter shoplifting.
L.L.Bean Exec Joins Furniture Maker
Brad Kauffman, SVP of business transformation and strategy at L.L. Bean, has joined Thos. Moser, maker of handcrafted American furniture, as the company’s new chief revenue officer.
Aisle Talk Week of August 13
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including VF Corp.’s market-moving news that the company is spinning off its jeans division and relocating to Colorado along with The North Face, Smartwool and other brands.
Conservation Alliance Hosts Backyard Collective Event in Portland
More than 250 volunteers from nine member companies participated in The Conservation Alliance’s Backyard Collective stewardship event in Portland, OR, last week.
SGB Executive Q&A: John Sears Of Gregory Mountain Products
John Sears, VP of design and development at Gregory Mountain Products, sat down with SGB at last month’s Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Denver, CO, to discuss the latest backpack trends and also how the brand has flourished in the past four years under new ownership.
Airblaster Hires Kyle Phillips As Director Of Sales
Kyle Phillips has joined snowboard apparel and accessories brand Airblaster as sales director.
Blain’s Farm & Fleet Announces Fourth Michigan Location
Family-owned and operated Blain’s Farm & Fleet has announced plans for the company’s fourth Michigan location in Ottawa County’s Holland Township. It is slated to open in the fall of 2019.
Gander Outdoors Announces 2 Store Openings
Gander Outdoors, formerly known as Gander Mountain, is now open in Watertown, NY, and Green Bay, WI.
Primal Quest Names Official Outfitters For 2018 Race
Primal Quest has announced the official outfitters for the eighth edition of the adventure race. The new partners include mountain guide Rich Prohaska; the Executive Suites Hotel & Resort Squamish, Squamish Rafting Co. and outdoor gear and packs company OutThere USA.
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