SGB Executive Outdoor
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.
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.
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.
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.
EXEC: VF Corp. Confirms New Global Cuts; Analysts React to ICR Presentation
The parent company of The North Face, Vans, Timberland, Jansport and Dickies, among other outdoor and street lifestyle brands, continues to take action against the goals set out in its Reinvent turnaround plan.
EXEC: KT Tape Acquired by Consumer Healthcare Investment Platform
Founded in 2008, KT Tape has manufactured drug-free solutions to prevent and relieve pain and promote recovery. Palladin Consumer Retail Partners, previously known as Palladin Capital Group, acquired KT in 2014.
EXEC: Perfect Moment Names Two Additional European Sales Agencies
New Look Fashion Deal will manage Perfect Moment’s wholesale distribution in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg (Benelux) and Bernd Schürmann will focus on Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DACH region).
EXEC: Giant Group Ends 2024 on Another Down Note as Q4 Sales Fall 8.6 Percent
The Taiwan-based bike manufacturer saw its 2024 full-year shipment volume fall 7.4 percent for the 12-month period to NT$71.3 billion, compared to NT$76.9 billion in 2023.
EXEC: JCPenney Merges with Sparc Group to Form Catalyst Brands
The combined Catalyst Brands organization is a joint venture formed in an all-equity transaction between JCPenney and the Sparc Group, with shareholders Simon Property Group, Brookfield Corporation, Authentic Brands Group, and Shein.
REI Shuttering Experiences Business, Cutting 428 Positions
The closure of the Experiences business will affect 180 full-time and 248 part-time employees, which are primarily guides serving the business. REI said it will re-invest in the core Camp and Backpack, Run and Hike, and Outside Life businesses.
EXEC: Hydro Flask Adds Velocity with Expanding Amazon, Target and Costco Programs
Hydro Flask e-commerce reportedly “overdelivered” in the quarter, said to be driven by stronger-than-forecasted POS that lifted post Labor Day replenishment and stronger-than-forecasted performance on Amazon Prime Day with Hydro Flask achieving the No. 1 Best Seller ranking within water bottles during the event.
EXEC: SGB 2025 Look Ahead with Active Lifestyle Market Leaders
Leaders in the active lifestyle space expressed cautious optimism about 2025 with inflationary pressures easing, supply chains largely normalized and generally healthy interest in sports. Insights from Academy Sports, Brooks Running, Rawlings, Fleet Feet, Selkirk Sport and others.
EXEC: SGB 2025 Look Ahead with Trade Association Leaders
Trade associations representing the active lifestyle space shared their concerns with SGB Executive regarding potential tariffs, supply chain disruptions and the likelihood of an unstable economy in 2025. However, they were generally upbeat about the year ahead.
EXEC: SGB 2025 Outdoor Market Leaders Look Ahead
Leaders and innovators in the outdoor active lifestyle space see 2025 as a potential recovery year as a lengthy destocking process has finally rebalanced inventories across most categories. Insights from Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, Outdoor Retailer, Gregory, Mammut, Lycra, Farm to Feet, Next Adventure, Nemo, Circana and others…
