Smith Optics Parent Reorganizes North America, Global Sport Leadership
Safilo Group, parent company of the Smith Optics brands and licensee for a range of lifestyle and sport brands such as Under Armour, is making a range of organizational changes in its North American market and global Sport Channel.
U.S. Consumer Sentiment Rises To Four-Month High
Consumer sentiment jumped 7.9 percent month-to-month to 63.9, in the first two weeks of June, reaching its highest level in four months, according to preliminary data from the University of Michigan survey of consumers.
Zamberlan Appoints New U.S. General Manager
Zamberlan hired industry veteran Bob Whip as U.S. general manager. Outgoing GM Phil Benson has taken a principal role within private equity in partnership with Novastone Capital Advisors and will remain in the outdoor industry.
Huish Outdoors Recalls Scuba Diving Regulators
About 4,500 Oceanic and Hollis scuba diving regulators from Huish Outdoors, based in Salt Lake City, UT, are being recalled.
NRF Foundation Adds Four Members To Board Of Directors
The NRF Foundation reported adding four new members to its Board of Directors, elected during the organization’s summer board meeting in New York City.
Overland Expo West 2023 Sees Record Attendance
Overland Expo, part of the portfolio of events owned and managed by Emerald Holding, Inc. serving the Outdoor industry, including Outdoor Retailer and Surf Expo, reportedly saw record attendance following the conclusion of its Overland Expo West event, held May 19-21 at Ft. Tuthill in Flagstaff, AZ.
Walmart Opens Its Largest Fulfillment Center Outside Indianapolis
Walmart celebrated the grand opening of a new 2.2 million-square-foot fulfillment center twenty miles northeast of Indianapolis in McCordsville, IN. The next-gen facility is Walmart’s largest fulfillment center to date and enable the retailer to fill orders more quickly.
Monarch Alternative Capital Forms Go Outdoors Investment Platform
Monarch Alternative Capital LP, an investment firm with approximately $11 billion of assets under management, formed Go Outdoors, a platform to acquire, develop and operate marinas and RV resorts in the U.S.
Outdoor Product Sales A Reflection Of Shifting Post-Pandemic Lifestyle Trends
Sales across the $28 billion U.S. outdoor industry declined by 1 percent in the 12 months ending April 2023, versus the comparable prior-year period, impacted by consumers spending less on big-ticket equipment items and instead buying backpacks, blankets, camping accessories, and other versatile products.
Retail Market Breathes A Sigh Of Relief As West Coast Ports Deal Reached
The Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) announced a tentative agreement on a new six-year contract covering workers at all 29 West Coast ports.
Retail Sales See Slight Uptick In May; Sporting Goods Stores Up 2.5 Percent
Retail sales increased 0.3 percent from April to May and gained 1.6 percent year-over-year. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast sales would decline 0.1 percent month-over-month.
Sport 2000 Reaches €6.5 Bn In 2022 Sales; SGN Sports Leaving Group
Sport 2000 International, the world’s second-largest trade organization for independent sports retailers with 3,586 stores in 25 countries, recently reported it is reflecting on a successful year, closing the 2022 financial year with gross retail sales of €6.5 billion.
REI Workers Union Adding Pressure With Unfair Labor Practice Allegations
The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) announced it would be filing Unfair Labor Practice charges (ULPs) against REI, Inc. in the Cleveland (Beachwood, OH) and SoHo (Manhattan, NY) unionized stores.
KOA: Campers Four Times More Likely To Adopt AI For Trip Planning
The Kampgrounds of America, Inc.’s (KOA) Monthly Research Report, June 2023 Edition, found that campers have adopted artificial intelligence (AI) more quickly than other leisure travelers when planning a trip.
Grassroots Moving Spring Connect Show To Reno In 2024
Grassroots Connect, the twice-annual retail buying show of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, will move its June show to Reno, NV, beginning in 2024.
