SGB Executive Sportsmans
Study: Pickleball Growth Slows as Skiing, Flag Football, and Pilates Step Up
NSGA’s 2026 Sports Participation Report found alpine skiing, cheerleading, flag football, kayaking and Pilates saw the strongest participation gains among sports, fitness and outdoor activities in 2025. Golf, tennis and pickleball all saw solid gains, although pickleball moderated from its breakneck pace in recent years.
EXEC: Thule Group Acquires Dog Harness Maker Curli AG
Thule agreed to acquire Curli AG, a Swiss-based maker of dog harnesses, for SEK 118 million ($13M). Thule said Curli is a global leader in the premium segment, in particular for vest-style harnesses for smaller dogs. Harnesses for larger dogs will be launched under the Thule brand already in the fall 2026.
EXEC: BOA and Velocity Outdoor Drive CODI’s Q1 Gainers; PrimaLoft Takes Impairment Charge
Compass Diversified (CODI) reported BOA’s sales grew 7 percent in the first quarter on market share gains across key categories to lead the company’s active lifestyle businesses. 5.11’s sales declined due in part to efforts to reduce DTC promotions. PrimaLoft, which recently overhauled leadership, absorbed a goodwill write-off.
Report: West Marine Prepares for Bankruptcy
Boating and fishing retailer West Marine is working with financial and legal advisors to evaluate financial options, including filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, in order to restructure debt and close underperforming stores following a slump in discretionary spending, according to a report from Bloomberg.
EXEC: Columbia Sportswear CEO Tim Boyle Sees U.S. Wholesale Returning to Growth in Second Half
Total company first-quarter results topped expectations, driven by early Spring 2026 wholesale shipments and better-than-expected demand in Europe and the U.S. as disciplined expense management. The company raised its guidance for the year due to lower-than-planned U.S. tariffs driven by the temporary tariffs that are in place through July 2026.
EXEC: Escalade Inc. Ekes Out Q1 Sales Increase on Gold Tip Acquisition Upside
Escalade, Inc. reported earnings as lower fixed costs and a favorable sales mix lifted gross margins by 408 basis points. Sales inched up 0.6 percent, with the gain attributed to the acquisition of the Gold Tip archery brand.
EXEC: Thule Group Gets Lift from “Champion” Product Categories in Q1
Net sales for the first quarter of 2026 amounted to SEK 2,573 million, representing a decrease of 3.4 percent year-over-year (y/y), of which 7.3 percent was said to be attributable to changes in exchange rates. Organic sales increased by 3.9 percent y/y.
EXEC: Shimano Q1 Profits Impacted by Bicycle Components Weakness
Shimano Inc.’s operating profits declined in the first quarter on 3.6 percent sales growth as weakness in China and the U.S. offset strength in Europe and Japan for its Bicycle Components business. The Fishing Tackle segment delivered an 18.5 percent sales gain.
EXEC: WFSGI Elects Nike and New Balance Execs Board Co-Chairs
The World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) elected Dave Wheeler, chief operating officer of New Balance, and Jorge Casimiro, chief public affairs and public policy officer at Nike, as co-chairs of its new Board, marking first time two American brands have led the federation together.
EXEC: Lowa Posts Record Year in 2025
Lowa said it sold 3.1 million pairs of footwear (+5 percent year-over-year) and €242.1 million (~$199 mm) in revenue, representing a 3.5 percent increase versus 2024, and reportedly marking the best result in the company’s history.
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.
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: Academy’s Chief Merchant Talks ‘Better, Best’ Push, Commitment to Newness
Matt McCabe, EVP and chief merchandising officer at Academy Sports + Outdoors, spoke with SGB Executive about the chain’s evolving merchandise strategy, including pushes to feature more premium product, prioritize newness, and reduce out-of-stocks and markdowns. He also shared fresh insights into the Academy shopper.
EXEC: Academy Sports Scores Stock Price Target Upgrades Following Analyst Day
A number of analysts raised their price targets on Academy Sports + Outdoors Inc. following the company’s release of a five-year growth plan at an Analyst Day event, with many more convinced the chain will inflect back to growth this year.
EXEC: Colt CZ Appoints Board Member
Prague-based Colt CZ Group SE appointed Martin Durčák as a member of its Board of Directors of Colt CZ. Durčák will be responsible for business development in strategic areas beyond the group’s core product portfolio of firearms, small-caliber ammunition, and energetics.
