Academy Sports + Outdoors To Open First Store In Peoria, IL
Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. reported it will open its first location in Peoria, IL, this summer; this is the second location in Illinois, set to open in Grand Prairie Plaza. The floor space covers over 60,000 square feet.
Ed Brown Products Names New Sales And Marketing Director
Ed Brown Products, the maker of custom handguns and components, hired Dave Biggers as sales and marketing director.
Patriot Ordnance Factory Names Two Regional Account Sales Managers
Patriot Ordnance Factory Inc. expanded its sales team. The company hired Bobby Walla as Eastern U.S. Account Manager, and Lucas Feringa was promoted to Western U.S. Account Manager.
Levi Strauss Snaps Up New SVP And Chief Marketing Officer
Levi Strauss & Co. hired Kenny Mitchell as Levi’s brand’s senior vice president and chief marketing officer, effective June 5, reporting to Michelle Gass, president of Levi Strauss & Co.
American Outdoor Brands Secures Trademark And Patent Settlement Agreement With GSM Outdoors
American Outdoor Brands, Inc. executed an agreement on April 6 with Good Sportsman Marketing, LLC (GSM) to settle litigation related to GSM’s improper use of trademarks owned by AOB and allegations of infringement of AOB’s patent rights.

NSSF: Firearms Industry Economic Impact Surges 322 Percent Since 2008
The total economic impact of the firearm and ammunition industry in the United States increased to $80.73 billion in 2022 from $19.1 billion in 2008, a 322 percent increase, while the total number of full-time equivalent jobs rose to over 393,696 from approximately 166,000, a 136 percent increase in that same period, according to a report released by the NSSF, the firearm industry’s trade association.
Malibu Boats’ Chief Financial Officer Departs; Company Appoints Interim CFO
Effective immediately, Malibu Boats, Inc. hired David Black as interim chief financial officer. Malibu’s current CFO, Wayne Wilson, notified the company of his resignation to pursue a similar role at a private equity-backed company.
MidwayUSA Promotes New Inventory Control And Services Manager
MidwayUSA promoted David Naugle to inventory control and services manager.
Academy Sports + Outdoors To Open New Store In Lafayette, IN
Academy Sports + Outdoors reported it will open its first store in Lafayette, LA, on April 21. The approximately 60,000-square-foot store marks the first retail store the company will open in 2023.

Study: Global Supply Chain Volatility Falls To Lowest Level Since July 2020
The GEP Global Supply Chain Volatility Index concluded that global supply chains operate more efficiently today, signaling the lowest stress level since July 2020.
Camping World Holdings To Acquire All Seasons RV In Yuba City, CA
Camping World Holdings, Inc. agreed to acquire All Seasons RV in Yuba City, CA. The acquisition is expected to close in the third quarter of 2023, increasing its California location count to twenty-one.
The Headrest Safe Company Hires Sales Agency For 13 Western States
The Headrest Safe Company, LLC hired Lammert Associates, Inc. to oversee the growth and expansion of the company’s business in 13 Western states.
Winnebago Industries Names VP Of Corporate Responsibility Team
Winnebago Industries hired Jil Littlejohn Bostick as executive director for the Winnebago Industries Foundation and vice president for the company’s corporate responsibility team, effective April 1.
World Wide Buy Group To Represent ZeroTech Optics In U.S.
ZeroTech Optics, founded in Australia in 2018, hired the World Wide Buy Group as product reps in the U.S.

NRF Report: Organized Retail Crime A Growing Threat For U.S. Retailers
Organized retail crime is a perpetual and burgeoning problem for the U.S. retail industry, and evidence suggests it is growing in scope and complexity, according to a recently released report from the National Retail Federation (NRF).