RWDSU said in a statement that REI Greensboro workers first began organizing in the wake of REI’s October 2023 round of layoffs, which cut the jobs of 275 of “the most experienced workers.”
Category: Outdoor
EXEC: Saucony Posts 60 Percent Retail Growth in China
MS (China) Sports Company Limited, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Xtep International Holdings Limited, operates under licensing and royalty agreements for the Merrell and Saucony brands and subsidiaries in China.
Fitbit to Pay $12.5M Fine for Failing to Report Ionic Smartwatch Defect
Despite possessing information that reasonably supported the conclusion that the Ionic Smartwatch contained a defect that could create a substantial product hazard or create an unreasonable risk of serious injury, Fitbit did not immediately report to the CPSC as required.
EXEC: Megabass is Latest Outdoor Brand to Partner with L Catterton
The deal positions the Japan-headquartered fishing gear manufacturer for further expansion by leveraging L Catterton’s operating capabilities and industry network on the back of rising demand for its products.
Norco Bicycles Appoints Alan Lewis as General Manager; CEO Sean Sullivan Exits
Live to Play Sports Group (LTP) and Norco Bicycles have appointed Alan Lewis, son of Founder Bert Lewis, as general manager. Company CEO Sean Sullivan is leaving after two years of leadership at LTP/Norco.
EXEC: KMD Saw Holiday Turnaround for Rip Curl; DTC Gives Lift to All Brands
The company said in its preliminary report that the total sales result was driven by improving trends in the direct-to-consumer channel for all brands. Wholesale sales have taken longer to recover and continue to decline year-over-year.
Gregory Mountain Parent Announces Corporate Name Change
The company believes the new name — Samsonite Group — better reflects its portfolio of customer-centric brands under the Samsonite, Tumi, American Tourister, Gregory, High Sierra, Kamiliant, Lipault, and Hartmann brands as well as other owned and licensed brand names
Pearl Izumi Adds VP of Brand
Gwen van Lingen-OLY joins Pearl from Norco Bikes, where she was most recently head of the brand.
Recall: GiantMouse Pocket Folding Knives
The company sold roughly 600 recalled GM12 and GMP12 button-lock folding pocket knives with titanium or bronze milled scales. The folding knives’ locking mechanism could fail, posing a laceration hazard to the user.
Bass Pro Shops To Open Outdoor Superstore in Mississippi
The new 75,000-square-foot outdoor superstore is scheduled to open in 2027 along the I-10 corridor in Biloxi, MS. This will be the first Outdoor Superstore for Bass Pro Shops in southern Mississippi.
EXEC: Tern Bicycles Creates European Distribution Company
This transition also marks the end of Tern’s long-standing distribution partnership with Hartje. Tern ZE will stock Tern’s complete product line and will partner with i:SY GmbH & Co. KG to manage sales for its Tern dealer network in Germany, Austria and Benelux.
EXEC: ISPO Group Shuffles Show Leadership After Tobias Gröber Sets Departure
The ISPO Group expects limited disruption as Exhibition Director Lena Haushofer and her team assume Gröber’s responsibilities, with Christoph Rapp, head of Sales and Marketing, and Saskia Rettenbacher, head of Event Management.
Jogology Adds Indie Sales Rep for Northeast
Cole Crosby joins the company as an independent rep with a decade of experience working with brands and retailers in the run specialty channel. His territory for Jogology includes Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York.
NMMA Names New CFO as Craig Boskey Eyes February Retirement
Chase Warden assumes the role on February 10 as longtime NMMA CFO Craig Boskey retires at the end of the month following 20 years with the Association.
EXEC: REI Names Mary Beth Laughton as Next CEO as Eric Artz Plans Exit
Laughton, a former REI Board Director and seasoned retail leader, will join REI as president on February 3, 2025, before assuming full CEO responsibilities on March 31.
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