EXEC: Tactical and Outdoor Rec Led Active Consumer M&A Activity Growth in 2025
Tactical Products M&A maintained its prior-year momentum, with deal volume increasing by 19 percent in 2025. Outdoor Recreation M&A volume saw its second consecutive year of expansion, rising 48 percent to 164 transactions. In Apparel & Footwear, M&A activity retracted nearly 14 percent year-over-year to 152 deals in 2025, the first decline since 2022.
KOA: Camping Participation Builds on Post-Pandemic Gains
The 12th Annual Camping & Outdoor Hospitality Report from Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA) found over 52 million North American households camping in 2025, about even with year-ago levels but still well above pre-pandemic levels. Wellness and a recharge were found to be increased motivators for glamping, first-time guests, and aging campers.
EXEC: Talking Socks with Darn Tough’s Parent President, Angelica Taylor
Angelica Taylor, who was promoted to president of Darn Tough Vermont’s parent company, Cabot Hosiery Mills (CHM), in February, talked with SGB Executive about Darn Tough’s history, the brand’s recent success, its commitment to U.S. production, and sock trends.
Birkenstock Opens First Swiss Store
Birkenstock opened a store in Zurich, marking its first store in Switzerland and 30th store in Europe. Measuring 70 square meters (230 square feet), the store is located on Storchengasse in the historic Old Town section of Switzerland’s financial capital.
EXEC: Karsten Hagen Named U.S. Sales Manager for Decathlon’s Van Rysel Bike Brand
Van Rysel, the French cycling brand owned by Decathlon, appointed Karsten Hagen as U.S. Sales Manager. Most recently, Hagen was the head of Sales for Giant Bicycles USA’s Western U.S. region.
EXEC: Canyon Bicycles Appoints Matthias Meier As CEO
Canyon Bicycles appointed Matthias Meier as CEO, effective May 1 with a goal of further expanding the traditional direct-to-consumer bike brand to retail accounts. Meier previously spent more than twelve years at bicycle component manufacturer DT Swiss.
EXEC: Former Exec Sues Adidas Over Alleged Gender Discrimination
Lindsay Gregg, who was Adidas’ head of women’s basketball sports marketing from January 2022 to February 2026, has filed a lawsuit against her former employer, charging she was fired for raising concerns about gender discrimination and the treatment of female athletes. She also charged Adidas with whistleblower retaliation.
EXEC: European Soccer E-Tailer Unisport Enters U.S. with WeGotSoccer Acquisition
Unisport Group, one of Europe’s leading online football retailer based in Denmark, has acquired Arocam, Inc., the U.S.-based parent of WeGotSoccer.and TUDN Fan Shop. Unisport said the transaction “marks Unisport’s strategic expansion into North America ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026,”
EXEC: MTB Components Brand Pembree Expands U.S. Distributor Deal with BTI
Pembree, which is owned by Look Cycle, will reportedly continue and strengthen its distribution partnership with Bicycle Technologies International (BTI) in the United States.
EXEC: Stella Int’l Sees Footwear Q1 Shipment Volume Dip Due to Ramadan Shift
The manufacturer of footwear for Nike, Saucony, Under Armour, Merrell, Timberland ,and Ugg said Footwear manufacturing shipment revenues grew 1.9 percent year-over-year as average selling prices rose in the Sports category.
EXEC: 361 Degrees Owned-Retail Delivers 10 Percent Q1 Growth
China-based 361 Degrees International, Ltd. reported that brick-and-mortar retail sales of 361º core-branded product increased approximately 10 percent year-over-year in the first quarter.
EXEC: BRP, Inc. Suspends Fiscal 2027 Guidance Based on U.S. Tariff Impact
The Canada-based parent of the Ski-Doo, Sea-Doo and Lynx power sports brands is suspending its full-year fiscal year 2027 guidance following the recent amendment of Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum and copper imports into the U.S.
EXEC: Amazfit Parent Zepp Health Corp. Narrows Q4 Net Loss as Revenues Surge
Zepp Health Corporation, the Netherlands-based parent of the Amazfit brand of fitness and healthcare wearables, reported sales jumped 43 percent in the fourth quarter to $85.2 million, meeting the upper end of its guidance range.
EXEC: Nike and Apple CEOs Loaded Up on NKE Shares as Price Fell
Elliott Hill, Nike Inc’s president and CEO, and Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO and Nike’s lead independent director, both made significant investments in Nike’s shares in recent days following the stock’s recent sell-off.
EXEC: Anta Brand Delivers HSD China Retail Gain in Q1 for Anta Sports; Fila Up in Low-Teens
Anta Sports Products, Ltd., which operates retail stores in China for the Anta brand, as well as Fila, Descente, Kolon Sport, and Amer Sports, reported that retail sales, in retail value, for the Anta brand in the first quarter saw high-single digit positive growth.
