REI And MEC Suspend Shipments From Vista Outdoor
Both REI and Canada’s MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op) late Thursday said they have suspended orders from Vista Outdoor due to the company’s manufacture of semi-automatic rifles. Vista Outdoor’s brands in the outdoor and cycling space include Bell, Blackburn, Bollé, Bushnell, CamelBak, Camp Chef, Giro and Jimmy Styks. CamelBak issued a statement on the changes.
American Outdoor Brands’ Profits Plunge On Weak Revenues
American Outdoor Brands, the owner of Smith & Wesson, Battenfeld Technologies and Crimson Trace, reported sales in the fourth quarter slumped 32.6 percent to $157.4 million.
Fred Meyer Will No Longer Sell Guns To Individuals Under 21
Kroger, the nation’s largest grocery chain, said it will stop selling guns and ammunition to customers who are younger than 21 years old. Kroger sells guns at 43 of its 133 Fred Meyer locations in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.
CODI’s Q4 Earnings Climb
Compass Diversified Holdings, the owner of Crosman, 5.11, Liberty Safe and other middle-market brands, reported a sharp gain in earnings in the fourth quarter ended December 31 due to a tax benefit. Cash flow from operations improved slightly.
Walmart Raises Minimum Age For Firearm Purchases To 21
Walmart joined Dick’s Sporting Goods on Wednesday in saying it would no longer sell guns or ammunition to anyone under 21 years of age. The discount giant also said it would no longer sell items resembling assault-style rifles, including toys and air guns.
Gander Outdoors Openings Off To Heathy Start
Camping World said the opening of its first Gander Outdoors locations are off to a good start. Officials also estimated that its overall Outdoor and Active Sports business segment – also including Overton’s, TheHouse.com, Uncle Dan’s, W82, and Erehwon – will bring in $400 million in revenue in 2018.
Big 5’s Q4 Blasted By Warm Winter Out West
Said CEO Steve Miller on a conference call with analysts. “While much of the country has endured often extreme winter weather conditions over the past few months our western U.S. markets have experienced significantly warmer than normal weather and one of the driest periods on record.”
Dick’s Sporting Goods Ends Sale Of Assault-Style Rifles
Dick’s Sporting Goods said it will stop selling assault-style weapons like the one used in the Parkland, FL high school shooting. The retailer will also no longer sell high-capacity magazines or guns to anyone younger than 21.
Big 5’s Q4 Comps Drop 9.4 Percent
Big 5 Sporting Goods, in line with guidance reported in early January, reported a loss of 10 cents per share in the fourth quarter ended December 31 as comps dropped 9.4 percent. Same store sales in January slumped in the high-teens in January and Big 5 predicted a loss for the first quarter.
Escalade Delivers Robust Q4 Results
Escalade Inc. reported operating earnings rose 36.4 percent on improved margins and a 4.3 percent revenue gain.
Camping World’s Q4 Revenues Climb 33 Percent
Camping World Holdings Inc., the parent of Gander Outdoors, reported earnings excluding special items more than doubled in the fourth quarter as sales grew 37.9 percent.
Gander Outdoors Sets Openings For North Carolina, Pennsylvania And Florida
Gander Outdoors, which is part of Camping World, announced plans to open locations in Winston-Salem, NC; Dickson City, PA; and Ocala, FL.
Sturm Ruger’s Sales And Job Count Drops In 2017
Sturm Ruger reported sales dropped 26.9 percent in the fourth quarter, worsening from the slide of 21.2 percent seen in the year. The company also indicated that it had eliminated about 700 jobs over the last 13 months due to a steep downturn in the firearms category since the last presidential election.
The Fēnix Stars For Garmin
While the Fitness segment continued to struggle to overcome the maturity of the basic activity trackers space in Q4, Garmin’s Outdoor segment remainS on fire, led by the Fēnix line of adventure watches.
L.L.Bean President, CEO to Deliver Dickinson College Commencement Address
Stephen M. Smith, president and CEO of L.L.Bean and Dickinson alumnus, class of 1992, will deliver the college’s Commencement address on Sunday, May 20.