EXEC: PwC Sees Continued Sluggish M&A Activity in Consumer Sector In Second Half
After a timidly optimistic start to the year, the global M&A market cooled in the first half, conditioned by a highly uncertain economic and geopolitical environment, and is expected to remain challenged in the back half, according to PwC’s mid-year report. Between January and May 2025, M&A global volume in the consumer sector fell 9 percent.
Chattanooga Shooting Supplies Promotes Three Directors to VP Roles
Adam Crews has been promoted to VP & general manager, Melissa Dubiel has been promoted to VP of purchasing and Derek Fortna has been promoted to VP of marketing & e-commerce.
Dead Air Silencers Names Jared Rehm as Director of Marketing
Jared Rehm spent the last three years at Sellmark, where he reportedly led a transformative overhaul of the marketing department. Prior to Sellmark, he held various roles of increasing responsibility over an 11-year career at Benelli USA, culminating in his appointment as creative director for nearly five years.
Compass Diversified Agrees to Extended Forbearance with Lender Group
The parent of the 5.11, Boa and Primaloft brands has entered into a second forbearance agreement with its lender group on July 25, 2025, extending the prior forbearance period until October 24, 2025.
Scheels to Open Location in Blaine, Minnesota
Scheels announced plans to open a 250,000-square-foot store in Blaine, MN, in spring 2028. The location will be the company’s second location in the Twin Cities metro, joining Eden Prairie, and sixth in the state.
Black Diamond Parent Sees Call-Out in Investment Company’s Second Quarter Letter
Laughing Water Capital said in its letter that Clarus is “subscale” and undergoing a reset after expanding their SKU count a bit too much. Thirteen hedge fund portfolios held Clarus shares in their portfolios in the second quarter, flat to last year.
Consumer Sentiment Inches Up in July; Low Levels of Optimism Persist
The University of Michigan’s preliminary index of consumer sentiment edged up to 61.8 in July from 60.7 in June; however, consumer sentiment has declined by 6.9 percent (4.6 points) compared to the same time last year and is down 16 percent from December.
Chaparral and Robalo Parent MPX Sees Q2 Revenue Declines Moderate; Profit Falls
Second-quarter sales were down 3 percent year-over-year, but shipments and sales grew sequentially again in the quarter and are now said to be solidly above the lows of the second half of 2024.
Brunswick Corp. Ekes Out Revenue Bump Despite Continued Boat Group Weakness
The owner of the Boston Whaler, Lund, Sea Ray, Bayliner, Harris Pontoons, Princecraft, and Quicksilver boat brands, and the Mercury Marine, Mercury Racing, MerCruiser, and Flite marine propulsion brands, said second quarter sales were slightly above the year-ago quarter
EXEC: Rapala Gets DD Lift from North America in H1; Asia and Europe Fall on Trade Uncertainty
The company reported sales in North America increased 12 percent compared to the 2024 H1 period. With comparable translation exchange rates sales were up by 14 percent. The Europe and Asia markets were said to be impacted by increased uncertainty and limited economic visibility.
EXEC: ATA, Bass Pro, and Dick’s SG Face Archery Price-Fixing Class Action Lawsuit
A proposed class action lawsuit charges the Archery Trade Association (ATA) conspired with numerous manufacturers, distributors and retailers, including Bass Pro Shops, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Cabela’s, to artificially inflate the prices of bowhunting and archery equipment by implementing minimum advertised pricing (MAP) policies.
Christensen Arms Appoints President
Matt Fleming most recently served as president and CEO of MidwayUSA. Under his leadership, Christensen Arms is expected to strengthen its brand, elevate its dealer programs and continue to drive innovation in firearm manufacturing.
Chattanooga Shooting Supplies Taps Paul Walters as New Buyer
Walters reportedly brings over a decade of expertise in sales, account management and strategic marketing within the firearms and tactical gear industries. He most recently served as a buyer at Primary Arms Government
EXEC: Moody’s Sees Tariffs Weighing On Apparel Retail Through First Half Of 2026
Moody’s Ratings, in an update, said that while a pause in some tariffs lessens the profitability hit, it’s maintaining a negative outlook on the Global Retail and Apparel sector, as tariffs are expected to “materially” impact earnings through the first quarter of 2026, with apparel and footwear sellers particularly vulnerable.
Study: Private Label is Quietly Taking Share from Established Brands
This latest First Insight study on private label trends offers a macro view of how shifting consumer perceptions and behaviors around private label products are influencing trial, loyalty and the decisions retailers must make in a changing economic and competitive landscape.
