
Academy Sports Q4 Earnings Fly Past Wall Street Targets
Academy Sports and Outdoors Inc. reported earnings on an adjusted basis increased 12.5 percent in the fourth quarter ended January 28 as lower freight costs and overall operating expenses offset a 5.1 percent decline in same-store sales. EPS easily topped analysts’ consensus estimates while sales were below.
Backpacker’s Pantry Hires VP Of Finance And Accounting
Backpacker’s Pantry hired Sarah Raizk as VP of finance and accounting.
February Retail Sales Rise 5.4 Percent Year-Over-Year
Overall retail sales dipped slightly in February, but core spending rose, according to data reviewed by the National Retail Federation.

Hydro Flask Launches Water Bottle Trade-In Program In The U.S.
Hydro Flask launched a Trade-In program that it claims is the first of its kind in the insulated water bottle category.
Sea To Summit Hires Regional Sales Directors, Promotes VP Of Sales
Sea to Summit hired two new regional sales directors, Seth Quackenbush and Brad Beanblossom and promoted Tracy Brunz to VP of sales.
Sweet Protection Names NA Sales Manager
Sweet Protection, the maker of performance helmets, goggles and technical clothing, reported that industry veteran Ryan Davis was hired as North American sales manager, responsible for accelerating the company’s development in the snow and bike categories.
Pou Sheng International Appoints CEO
The Pou Sheng International (Holdings) Limited board of directors re-designated Wang Jun, the acting CEO, as CEO effective March 15.
Marriott Appoints Dick’s CEO To Board Seat
Marriott International, Inc. elected Lauren Hobart, president and chief executive officer of Dick’s Sporting Goods and Grant F. Reid, former president and chief executive officer of Mars, as independent directors.
Gregory Posts Double-Digit Currency-Neutral Sales Growth In 2022
Samsonite International S.A. reported sales at Gregory backpack brand reached $61.4 million in 2022 against $59.4 million a year ago, representing a gain of 3.4 percent year-over-year. Gregory’s sales climbed 12.7 percent on a currency-neutral basis.
Niner Bikes Founder Joins Gates To Develop Bike And eBike Technologies
Niner Bikes founder Chris Sugai joined Gates as general manager of Gates Global Mobility, driving the development of advanced drivetrain solutions and belt technologies for bikes, eBikes, motorcycles, powersports, and electric micromobility.
Smith Names Bike Marketing Manager
Smith, the maker of snow goggles and helmets across bike helmets, sport, lifestyle, and prescription eyewear, hired Jeremy Dunn as bike marketing manager.

Sporting Goods Retail Industry Icon Jim Chick Passes Away
The National Sporting Goods Association shared that former NSGA board member and board chair, Jim Chick, passed away. Chick was president & CEO of Chick’s Sporting Goods, headquartered in Covina, CA, for nearly 40 years. He was a member of the NSGA board of directors from 1985 to 1994 and was the board chairman in 1992.
Nordstrom Adding Two Rack Stores In Fall 2023
Nordstrom, Inc. reported plans to open two stores in fall 2023—a Nordstrom Rack in Natomas, CA, and a Rack store in San Antonio, TX.

Stio To Open Mountain Studio In Bozeman
Stio reported it will open a tenth Mountain Studio in Bozeman, MT this fall. This follows the company opening an East Coast Studio in Boston and its first in South Lake Tahoe, scheduled to open on March 24.
Rocky Mountain Acquires BikeAction GmbH
Rocky Mountain acquired BikeAction GmbH a bike distributor headquartered in Germany. The acquisition, built on a 30-plus-year partnership, vertically integrates the Canadian manufacturer into the European market and supports riders in BikeAction’s Northern European region.