Industry veteran Jon Jay is responsible for increasing Sweet Protection’s brand awareness in North America through marketing and public relations channels and also working with large- and small-scale retailers in the territories.
Category: Outdoor

EXEC: Shimano Posts Solid Q1 Results, Led by DD Growth in Bicycle Components
North American market retail sales of completed bicycles remained weak, but market inventories were said to return to “appropriate levels.” In fishing tackle, North American market sales were flattish to Q1 2024 due to unfavorable weather.

Sea to Summit Strengthens Canadian Sales Agency Network
Sea to Summit is expanding its presence in Canada through enhanced sales partnerships with Tandem West Sales in the West and Agence Quartier Général in the East.

EXEC: NYSE Hits Solo Brands with Trading Suspension
The company reported in a Form 8-K report that it expects Class A Common Stock to be quoted for trading on the OTC Pink Market. Solo Brands noted that the transition to the OTC Pink Market will not affect the company’s business operations, relationships with partners, suppliers, employees, or its SEC reporting obligations.

Grassroots Expects 5.9 Percent Growth in Spring Connect Buyer Attendance
Grassroots indicated that the 148 retail businesses and 147 exhibitors are essentially flat versus last year’s Spring Connect Show, but individual buyers increased 5.9 percent year-over-year to 391 buyers.

EXEC: Head Group Set to Acquire Aqualung Group in Move to Dominate Dive Market
Victor Vadaneaux has been appointed CEO of Aqualung Group to ensure a smooth transition and integration. He has been a member of the group’s Supervisory Board and an advisor to the company since 2024.

EXEC: Wall Street Reacts to Tariff News but Port Traffic Decline May Reflect a Sad Reality
The Dow and the S&P 500 both bounced on April 22 after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Trump’s primary negotiator on tariff deals, said that he believes the Administration’s ongoing tariff war with China will de-escalate soon because the rift is not sustainable.

S&S Activewear Appoints Three Senior Leaders to Strengthen Commercial Team
The distributor of apparel and accessories in North America, has appointed Jim Sturgell as senior vice president of sales, Nick Blannin as senior vice president of merchandising and Bill Topf as senior vice president of commercial strategy and operations.

EXEC: Thule, Inc. Files Warn Notice to Eliminate 22 Positions in Colorado
The Sweden-based maker of rack systems and bags for active lifestyle activities indicated in its WARN Notice filing that the reason for the 22 terminations was “closure.”

Report: Consumers Willing to Spend More for Brands if Prices Increase
A recent report from UserTesting, a provider of human insights for the enterprise, reveals that brand loyalty isn’t just holding steady in 2025, it’s becoming a safe haven for consumers navigating higher prices and watching their wallets.

EXEC: Analysts Make Tariff Impact Calls on Footwear and Apparel Stocks
Those experiencing price target cuts included Birkenstock, Crocs, Inc., Foot Locker, Nike, On Holding, Skechers, VF Corp., and Wolverine World Wide. Some of those hit hardest included Boot Barn, Deckers and Under Armour.

Bike Nashbar Founder Arni Nashbar Passes Away; Leaves a Rich Legacy
In response to what he saw as a gap in quality customer service in bike mail-order companies, he and his wife founded Bike Nashbar. At its peak, the company mailed over 14 million catalogs annually across the U.S. and Canada, employed over 350 people and shipped over 6,000 packages daily.

Rural King Opens New Kingsport Store
The store carries a wide range of outdoor lifestyle and work brands, including Ariat, Browning, Carhartt, Columbia, Frogg Toggs, Henry Rifles, Huk Apparel, Keen Utility, Plano, Realtree, Remington, Under Armour, and Wolverine.

Castle Peak Holdings Acquires Snow King Resort in Jackson Hole, WY
The acquisition marks Castle Peak’s eighth property and the company’s largest, following the recent opening of Trailborn Grand Canyon, Trailborn Surf & Sound, and Trailborn Highlands.

Shred. Accelerates Distribution in Switzerland with Catrade SA
The company’s will work closely to bring the Shred. products to specialty retailers in Switzerland and to strengthen the brand’s presence in the region’s discerning ski and snowboard markets.