SGB Executive Outdoor
EXEC: Nordstrom Set to Shutter Another Iconic Location with Galleria Dallas Closure
The closure speaks volumes in an age when Saks Global files for bankruptcy protection after acquiring a troubled Neiman Marcus business. One must wonder: Where will the rich girls from Landman shop now?
EXEC: KMD Brands Rejects Paul Naude Overture to Merge Rip Curl with Stokehouse
The California-based surf apparel and accessories company that manages the Vissla, Amuse Society and D’Blanc brands, reportedly made a bid to merge its business with Rip Curl, which is owned by New Zealand-based KMD Brands.
EXEC: Understanding the Next Steps in the Trump Tariff Fight
President Trump needs to find a longer-term solution to recoup the planned $1.4 trillion-plus in tariffs as part of his budget, since the Section 122 tariffs are only valid for 5 months. By fall, anything entering the U.S. under that 15 percent tariff will go to zero, unless something else takes its place.
Report: U.S. Sporting Goods Transactions Decline 9 Percent in Q4
U.S. transaction data shows that consumer spending on sporting goods declined 9 percent year-over-year in the three months ended January 2026, with tariffs, inflation and pressure on middle-income consumers weighing on discretionary purchases, according to Consumer Edge’s Sporting Goods Outlook 2026.
EXEC: Solo Brands Hopeful Innovation Jumpstarts Solo Stove’s Growth Revival
Solo Brands, Inc. reported that sales tumbled 34.5 percent in the fourth quarter and 30.4 percent in the year due to steep declines in the flagship Solo Stove line. John Larson, president and CEO, told analysts he’s hopeful that a healthy reception to new fire pits and accessories will bring Solo Stove back to growth.
EXEC: NRF Delivers Bullish Retail Growth Forecast for 2026
At the sixth annual State of Retail & the Consumer virtual event, the National Retail Federation (NRF) issued its 2026 forecast calling for U.S. retail sales to climb 4.4 percent over 2025 to $5.6 trillion, with the strong gains supported by resilient consumers despite market uncertainty. The forecasted growth rate is well ahead of the 3.6 percent average annual sales growth over the last 10 years.
EXEC: Sport 2000 Delivers 8.2 Percent Growth in 2025 on Outdoor and Running Gains
Sport 2000 International reported sales of €5.3 billion ($6.1 bn) in 2025, up 8.2 percent year-over-year. The European buying group, based in Mainhausen, Germany, said the growth “benefited from the implementation of its international ‘Home of Experts’ positioning and strength in outdoor and running categories.”
EXEC: Lycra Files for Bankruptcy to Cut $1.2 Billion Debt Load
The Lycra Company, the maker of spandex and other stretch fabrics, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Houston, TX, seeking to shed $1.2 billion in debt. The company, in court papers, blamed the bankruptcy on a “confluence” of factors, including the pandemic’s fallout, tariffs, increased competition, and ongoing legal issues.
EXEC: Academy’s CFO Sees Positive Start to Q1 Comps, but Q2 May Be Challenging
Shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. fell about 12 percent on Tuesday, March 17, after the sporting goods chain reported Q4 results that trailed analyst targets and FY26 guidance landed at the low end of targets.
EXEC: Rip Curl and Oboz Owner KMD Brands Clarifies Position After Media Speculation
The company confirmed in ASX (Australia Stock Exchange) and NZX (New Zealand Exchange) announcements that Goldman Sachs has indeed been engaged to assist the Group with its “treasury and capital management strategy as part of an ongoing review of funding options.”
EXEC: The Trump Tariff Refund Process Just Got a Lot More Complex
This past week, a Midwest consumer filed suit in the Federal Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Costco Wholesale Corporation to recoup the money he paid in higher prices said to be due to the IEEPA tariffs and proposed nationwide class-action status for his suit. Beware the angry consumer.
EXEC: Giant Group Revenues Fall 15.5 Percent in 2025 as WRO Impacts Owned Brand Sales
The company is still under a Withhold Release Order (WRO) issued by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Forced Labor Division and cannot ship into the United States until the WRO is released. The WRO went into effect in September 2025.
EXEC: Smith Optics Sees E-Commerce Increase to 40 Percent of Sales in 2025
Smith’s sales in brick‑and‑mortar sporting goods stores were said to be softer between the second and third quarters of 2025, following the Group’s decision to temporarily limit imports of winter products from China, which led to delayed deliveries.
Report: REI to Reduce Pay for New Hires, Shrink Certain Benefits for All Employees
REI Co-op plans to reduce its pay rates for future employees and scale back benefits for current employees to shore up profitability, according to Bloomberg. Union organizers issued statements claiming the moves are tied to REI’s decision to halt negotations on a collective bargaining agreement, although REI strongly denied those accusations.
EXEC: Rapala VMC Sees North America Growth Outpace All Other Regions in 2025
The company said the operating environment remained unpredictable and varied significantly across regions in 2025. The North American market reportedly proved resilient despite tariff-related disruptions, with consumer spending and retail activity holding up throughout the year despite related price increases.
