SGB 2023 Year in Review—Top 25 Most Read Articles
To say that 2023 was a challenging year for the active lifestyle retail market would be an understatement as brands, reps and retailers dealt with a variety of challenges and very few notable instances of positive news.
Academy Sports’ Former President Lands at Groundworks
Groundworks, the foundation and water management solutions company, hired Michael Mullican as CFO. Last October, Mullican stepped down from Academy Sports as president and CFO to pursue personal and professional opportunities.
EXEC: 2024 Look Ahead – Retailers and Brands Define Issues and Opportunities
In this latest installment of the 2024 Look Ahead series, SGB Executive talked with brand leaders and marketers about how their companies plan to address the challenges and opportunities in the market in 2024 and beyond.
Chums Expands Marketing Team
Chums hired Grace Overby as its new marketing coordinator, enabling Maddy Morton to transition to the newly created role of creative brand manager.
Haro Bikes Hires Chief Marketing Officer
Haro Bikes, based in Vista, CA, hired Megan Tompkins as chief marketing officer. Haro reported that she has “lengthy experience in international marketing and sales for cycling brands, including Crankbrothers, Specialized and Shimano.
Costco Store in Virginia to Unionize
At the Costco store in Norfolk, VA, employees voted overwhelmingly to join the Teamsters, the largest union in America, marking the first “victory” for workers at a Costco location in two decades.
A Range of Business Issues, Brands and Retailers Top SGB Media’s Most Read for December
December 2023 featured many of the annual recaps and look aheads inherent in end-of-year business reporting; however, traffic and readership also rewarded a piece on Macy’s $5.8 billion buyout offer with the Most Read Article nod for the month.
Aspen Skiing Co. Sues U.K. Skiwear Brand Over Influencer Photos
Aspen Skiing Co. filed a lawsuit against Perfect Moment, the U.K.-based skiwear brand, for sending influencers to its four resorts to “falsely associate” themselves with the brand to “gain reputation” without permission.
Forward Outdoor Apparel Hires Global Brand Director and Head of Product
Forward Outdoor Apparel, the freeskiing and snowboarding apparel brand, appointed Tony McWilliam as global brand director and Lionnel Ducruet as head of product.
EXEC: Outdoor Active Lifestyle Market Leaders Share 2024 Outlook
Feedback unique to this group versus the broader market was the focus on sustainability, responsible sourcing, new technologies focused on renewable and reusable components and textiles, and the looming impact of new rules governing the use of PFAS and its impact on the market.
Xcel Wetsuits Hires Head of E-Commerce
Xcel Wetsuits hired Johnny Gothard to head its e-commerce business in the U.S. and international markets. Most recently, Gothard was director of e-commerce at Rip Curl.
Lazydays Closes on $35 Million Mortgage Loan Facility
The $35 million mortgage loan facility is funded by clients of Coliseum Capital Management and is reportedly secured by mortgages against certain dealership facilities and land held for future development.
Lands’ End Secures New Term Loan
Lands’ End, Inc. entered into a new term loan of $260 million. The company used the proceeds to refinance its existing term loan ahead of maturity in September 2025.
Bulls Bikes USA Hires Sales Chief
Los Angeles-based Bulls Bikes USA hired Rob Kaplan as head of sales. Most recently, Kaplan was VP of sales at Alta Cycling Group.
Thule Group Transitions CFO Role
In May 2023, Thule announced that Jonas Lindqvist, its CFO since 2020, would leave his position but remain in the role until it found his successor. The company announced in July 2023 that it had hired Toby Lawton to fill the CFO position.
