
Pelican Products Appoints James Curleigh as CEO
The maker of protective cases, coolers, outdoor accessories, and temperature-controlled packaging, appointed James Curleigh as CEO. The outdoor industry veteran was, most recently, CEO of Gibson Guitars.
Zanders Sporting Goods Appoints President/COO and Director of Procurement
Zanders Sporting Goods promoted Dan Siegler to president and chief operating officer and Luke Poston to director of procurement.

NRF Now Sees 2023 Retail Sales at Low End of Earlier Forecast
The March forecast called for 2023 retail sales to increase between 4 percent and 6 percent over 2022; however, the Fed’s interest rate increases slowed the economy and the NRF believes there is a good chance that sales will end up in the lower range of the forecast, if not lower.

NRF: Import Cargo Volume Could Hit 2 Million TEU Three Months in a Row
Import cargo volume at the nation’s major container ports is expected to hit the 2 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) mark for the second consecutive month in September and remain there in October.

VF Corp. Loses Appeal On Tax Dispute Tied to Timberland Acquisition
VF reported in a regulatory filing that The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit decided in favor of the IRS in a tax issue connected to its acquisition of Timberland in September 2011.

Yue Yuen Sees Another Sharp Footwear Manufacturing Sales Decline in August
The manufacturer of footwear for most major outdoor and athletic brands, reported that in August, net consolidated operating revenue, declined 19.8 percent after posting a 106 percent increase in the prior-year month.

Mark’s Rolls Out Two New Workwear Retail Formats in Canada
Mark’s, the Canadian retailer owned by Canadian Tire and sister company to SportChek, Sports Experts, Pro Hockey Life, and Helly Hansen, introduced two new industrial-exclusive retail stores—Mark’s WorkPro and L’Equipeur Pro.

Cotopaxi Taps Two Outdoor Industry Sales Vets to Drive Wholesale Sales
Joining the team in August are Jody Carlson as VP of global wholesale and Kari Larsen as director of North American wholesale.

EXEC: American Outdoor Brands Execs Detail Fiscal First Quarter Progress
The recent issues with inventory and reduced consumer demand in the broader firearms market at retail had an effect of the company’s Shooting Sports segment, but strong growth in the company’s Outdoor Lifestyle segment offset the decline in the shooting accessories business.

Portland’s Andy and Bax to Close
Andy and Bax, the Portland, OR-based retailer of camping equipment and military surplus gear, is closing after 78 years.

EXEC: Zumiez Hopeful for Holiday Selling After Q2 Beat and BTS Momentum
Zumiez, Inc. reported better-than-expected Q2 results with sales declines lessening further into the third quarter, including men’s, its largest category, turning positive. The action sports chain predicted another high-single to low-double-digit decline for the third quarter but remains hopeful of continued improvement through holiday selling.
Gatorz Eyewear Hires Product Line Director
Gatorz Eyewear, developing eyewear for military and law enforcement, shooting sports, hunting, and outdoor, hired Marilyse Gagnon as product line director with over a decade of experience in the eyewear industry.
Zumiez Second-Quarter Results Beat Expectations
Zumiez, Inc. showed a loss in the second-quarter ended July 29 on a sales decline of 11.6 percent, but results exceeded guidance as sales trends improved each month with encouraging early back-to-school sell-throughs.
American Outdoor Brands Narrows Fiscal Q1 Net Loss on Flattish Sales
First quarter net sales were $43.4 million for the period ended July 31, a decrease of 0.5 percent versus the comp quarter last year. Traditional channel net sales increased 8.4 percent, while e-commerce net sales declined 10.6 percent.

BRC Sees Confident UK Consumers Boost August Retail Sales
Total UK retail sales increased by 4.1 percent in fiscal August, against growth of 1.0 percent in August 2022, coming in above the 3-month average growth of 3.6 percent and in line with the 12-month average growth of 4.1 percent.