
RV Industry Association Sees Moderating Shipments Decline in August
The trade association’s August 2023 survey of manufacturers found that total RV shipments ended the month with 28,071 units, a decrease of 16.9 percent, and down 45.0 percent year-to-date.

EXEC: Superfeet’s New CEO Discusses the Untapped Insoles Opportunity
In June, Trip Randall, a former long-time Nike executive, became the third CEO in Superfeet‘s 46-year history. He talked with SGB Executive about the outsized growth potential still ahead for Superfeet as well as for the overall insoles category.

Surf Hardware International Relocates Global Headquarters
Surf Hardware International relocated its global headquarters to Australia’s Coffs Harbour and is trading under the name of Gowings Pacific Trader.
Arc’teryx Re-Opens Newbury Street Store
Arc’teryx reported it re-opened its Boston retail store in the Newbury Street shopping district.

West Marine’s Debt Ratings Withdrawn Following Debt Exchange
Moody’s Investors Service amended its debt ratings on West Marine following the retailer’s distressed exchange of all of its debt into equity as announced by the company on September 18.

Haro Bicycles Names COO
Haro Bicycles, based in Vista, CA, promoted Doss Barnes to chief operations officer, one year after joining the company as director of supply chain.

S&P Raises Authentic Brands Debt Ratings on Improved Performance
S&P Global Ratings raised the debt rating of Authentic Brands Group, LLC after the company outperformed its previous forecast for its sizable 2022 acquisition of Reebok and recently-closed acquisition of Boardriders, Inc. S&P said the company funded the Boardriders acquisition with less debt than previously expected due to new equity from its financial sponsors.

Thor Industries’ Fiscal Year EPS Hammered as Sales Fall 32 Percent
Thor Industries, Inc.’s profits tumbled 67.9 percent on a 28.4 percent revenue decline in the fiscal fourth quarter ended July 31 but both came in well above analyst targets. The RV maker predicted sales will decline about 3 percent in the current fiscal year following a 31.8 percent slide this past fiscal year.

Report: U.K. Cycling Market Down 8 Percent in First Half of 2023
While the early summer saw an improvement in the underlying trend after a tough start to the year, the Bicycle Association detailed the factors culminating in continued inventory surplus challenges in the U.K. at mid-year.

M&S | The Sports Edit Adds Activewear Brands To Growing Platform
Marks & Spencer’s M&S | The Sports Edit is adding Adidas, Columbia, Sweaty Betty, Regatta and Sorel to its dedicated sportswear platform on M&S.com as part of its continued push into the sportswear category.

Sorel Opens Pop-Up Shops Inside Hudson’s Bay
Hudson’s Bay, the Canadian luxury department store chain, opened three Sorel footwear pop-up shops on September 22 at Hudson’s Bay flagship stores in Vancouver, Montreal and Yorkdale in Toronto.

Gravity Haus to Open in Jackson, WY
Gravity Haus, the adventure-centric hotel and membership club, announced the addition of Gravity Haus Jackson Hole in Jackson, WY, marketing its 9th hotel.

EXEC: UBS Sees Weaker Softgoods Spending Ahead Tied to Student Loan Repayments
UBS, the global financial services firm, reported it expects the consumer spending environment for softgoods in the U.S. to partly deteriorate over the coming months due to the resumption of student loan repayments in October. Inflation concerns and higher interest rates are among other factors expected to impact consumer spending.

Dick’s to Close Nearly All Moosejaw Stores
Moosejaw, the outdoor specialty retailer acquired by Dick’s Sporting Goods in March, is closing 11 of 14 stores in a realignment of Dick’s outdoor specialty business, including the company’s Public Lands’ store concept. Moosejaw’s headquartered in Madison Heights, MI, is also closing.

Survey Finds 92 Percent of Consumers Cut Spending This Year; Apparel Tops Cuts
A recent CNBC-Morning Consult survey found that 92 percent of U.S. adults reduced their spending over the past six months, and the majority expect to remain frugal through the 2023 holiday shopping season.