SGB Executive Outdoor
EXEC: An Unvarnished Look Inside the ~$1.3 Trillion Outdoor Recreation Economy
Numbers from the U.S. Commerce Department indicate that the Real GDP of the outdoor recreation economy in 2024 grew at roughly HALF the rate year-over-year than it did in 2023 — and that sounds more like what the outdoor retail industry has been feeling, at least directionally.
EXEC: Coats Group Execs Outline Product and Financial Upside from Ortholite Integration
The acquisition of OrthoLite has accelerated the company’s strategy to create a “leading Tier 2 supplier in footwear components by adding an exciting, high-growth and high-margin business to the Coats Group portfolio.” The CEO said, “OrthoLite brings with it compelling revenue and cost synergy opportunities.”
EXEC: Tecnica Group’s Revenues Climb 4.7 Percent in 2025
Tecnica Group, the Italian parent of Nordica, Blizzard, Tecnica, Lowa, Moon Boot, and Rollerblade, reported sales grew 4.7 percent in 2025, to €541.3 million ($628 mm). Profits were down due to cost pressures from factory wages and U.S. tariffs.
EXEC: The Footwear and Apparel Brands Bringing the Brand Heat in 2026
L.E.K. Consulting Group released its fifth annual 2026 U.S. Footwear, Apparel, and Accessories Brand Heat Index, identifying the brands that have gained popularity, or increasing brand “heat,” across major product categories across the generations in women’s and men’s footwear, apparel, as well as outdoor equipment and sporting goods.
EXEC: Helly Hansen’s Q4 Sales Jump; Accelerated Growth Will Start in 2027
Helly Hansen’s fourth-quarter revenue grew 10 percent and the brand’s earnings outperformed plan by 50 percent, Kontoor Brands’ officials said on an analyst call. Boosted by further investments in marketing and talent as well as expanded distribution, Helly’s sales growth is expected to accelerate starting in 2027. Scott Baxter, Kontoor’s CEO and chairman, on the call, “Helly is a growth asset.”
EXEC: On Brand Co-Founder Sees Strong Path Ahead at Top of the Pyramid
The company said net sales for 2026 are expected to grow at least 23 percent year-over-year on a constant-currency basis, equating to sales of (CHF 3.44 billion ($4.39 bn) at the spot rates on March 3. Gross profit margin is expected to reach at least 63.0 percent of revenue for 2026 and Adjusted EBITDA margin is expected to be in the range of 18.5 percent to 19.0 percent for the year ahead.
EXEC: Transom Capital Makes Another Run at Divesting Bravo Highline Brand Portfolio
The Bravo Highline portfolio includes, but is not limited to, a range of brands and marks including: Kryptonics, 661 Six Six One, Nutcase, Little Nutty, I love My Brain, Ten Eighty, Satellite, Pulse Performance Products, Static, BSB Speed Bearings, Variflex, Speed Demons, and Kick ‘n Go.
EXEC: Zeiss Optics to Spin Off Hunting & Nature Business as Independent Company
The German-based maker of optics and optoelectronics, and Palero, a German investment company, signed an agreement to spin off the the Hunting & Nature business into a new, independent company with Palero as the sole owner.
EXEC: Wolverine Brand Expects to See Transition Year, Flat Sales in 2026
Work Group revenue is expected to be approximately flat year-over-year in 2026. Wolverine brand revenue is also expected to be approximately flat year-over-year in 2026, with performance anticipated to improve in the second half of the year.
EXEC: Top Australian Outdoor and Sports Retail Group Sees Solid Start to Fiscal Year
Rebel reportedly delivered credible growth given variable consumer demand, elevated competitor activity and inventory availability challenges during the period, while outdoor retailer BCF sales were in line with a record prior year level and outdoor retailer Macpac was said to be a standout performer in the half, with strong comp store sales growth.
EXEC: Salty Crew and Globe Brand Parent Shakes Off U.S. Tariff Issue to Post Solid Fiscal H1
Group CEO Matt Hill said swift action was reportedly taken to absorb the new operating environment into the business’s U.S. financial planning, and, as such, at current levels, tariffs are not expected to impact performance in the same way going forward.
EXEC: BOA Scores Olympic Gold for CODI but Trails Sister Brands 5.11 and PrimaLoft Growth in Q4
Compass Diversified (CODI) reported sales in its Branded Consumer Segment dipped 0.6 percent to $274.9 million from $276.7 million a year ago as gains by 5.11, BOA, PrimaLoft and The Honey Pot were offset by declines at Velocity Outdoor and Lugano.
EXEC: Merrell Brand Celebrates 40 Years with a Solid 2025 but H2 Gain Lags H1 Growth
Merrell brand revenue increased 5.9 percent to $173.1 million in the fourth quarter, but that fell short of the full-year results, which showed Merrell growing 8.4 percent year-over-year to $648.9 million.
EXEC: Wolverine Worldwide Hurt by Q4 Work Group Decline as Active Group Posts DD Gains
Saucony brand sales jumped 26.4 percent in the fourth quarter, and Merrell brand sales increased 5.9 percent year-over-year. Wolverine brand sales declined 10.5 percent year-over-year in Q4.
EXEC: Salomon Reaches $2B Milestone in 2025 as Sportstyle Footwear Gains Continue
Never mind that the brand surpassed $2 billion in sales for the first time in 2025, or the fact that the brand continues to outpace Arc’teryx; it was the company’s repeated use of the word “Sportstyle” during a Footwear conversation about Outdoor Performance that should have the competition and investors raising an eyebrow.
