
Retay USA Expands Indie Sales Representation in Mid-East and Northeast
The firearms company has expanded its sales representation through partnerships with Ferguson-Keller Associates, Inc. in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio and Gen 3 Outdoors to cover the East Coast from Maine to Washington, DC.

EXEC: Hydro Flask Grows as Osprey Shrinks in Fiscal Q2 Period
Hydro Flask successfully launched into Costco, a key retailer for an expanded target consumer. The brand also reportedly benefited from strong distribution internationally with sales up in all key markets. Hydro Flask reportedly successfully launched its photography accessories line.

Import Volume Remains Strong Despite Recent Dockworker Strike
The NRF and Hackett Associates, in its recent Global Tracker Report, expect continued elevated shipment levels through October at the nations major container ports despite the recent strike by dockworkers.

Survey: Nearly Two-Thirds of Americans Want to Shop Local More
Lending Tree’s online survey of 2,000 U.S. adults, taken from August 12-14, 2024, found that 90 percent of respondents believe shopping locally positively impacts the quality of their life.
Bain Forecasts Record Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sales
U.S. retail sales over Black Friday – Cyber Monday (BFCM) weekend may set a new record, surpassing $75 billion in sales, according to a forecast from Bain & Company. The weekend is expected to deliver year-over-year growth of around 5 percent, outpacing Bain’s overall holiday sales growth forecast of 3 percent for the entire holiday season.

EXEC: Is The Vista Outdoor Bidding War Finally Over?
Vista’s Outdoor’s moves over the weekend to find a buyer for the Revelyst outdoor business and receive yet another higher offer for its Kinetic Group ammunition and firearms business should be enough to secure shareholder approval and avoid another hostile bid, according to several analysts following the stock.

Gill Marine Taps Travis Watson as National Sales Manager, Gill Fishing
The company said Watson brings a wealth of experience to his role, with 20 years experience in sales, buying, product development, and sourcing in the hunting and fishing space.

NuOrder by Lightspeed Appoints New Head of Revenue
Chris Akrimi, most recently, was the CEO of The Layer, a tech company that “transforms commerce data through AI. ” There, he focused on positioning the company at the “forefront of AI-driven product data management.”

Orvis Sets Layoffs and Store Closures; Discontinues Catalog
The 112 employees affected by the layoffs represent 8 percent of Orvis’ workforce. In the U.S., Orvis operates 70 retail stores and 10 outlets. In the UK, the company operates 18 retail stores and one outlet. The company did not disclose what store would be affected by the closures.

EXEC: Vista Inks Deals to Sell Revelyst and The Kinetic Group Separately
Vista Outdoor Inc. entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Revelyst outdoor segment to funds managed by Strategic Value Partners and amended its merger agreement with Czechoslovak Group (CSG) to acquire The Kinetic Group ammunition-related segment.

Manufacturing PMI Report Sees U.S. Contraction; Textile Mills Posted Sept Growth
Seventy-seven percent of manufacturing gross domestic product (GDP) contracted in September, up from 65 percent in August. Textile Mills were one of only five manufacturing industries reporting growth in September.

U.S. Port Workers and Operators Reach Deal to Suspend East Coast Strike
In a joint statement on the evening of October 3, the ILA and USMX reached a tentative agreement on wages and extended the group’s “Master Contract” until January 15, 2025, when they will return to the bargaining table to negotiate all other outstanding issues.

Thermore Invisiloft: High Warmth with Minimal Thickness
Thermore Group, a Milan-based manufacturer of thermal insulation alternatives for performance apparel since 1972, has launched Invisiloft, a slim insulation that combines “exceptional warmth with unprecedented thinness.”

Puma #Know Your Stuff: Real leather vs Vegan Leather Debate
The educational content series from Puma explores the conversation surrounding manufacturing goods with leather versus vegan leather and the environmental impact of each, created with input from Aishwarya Sharma, a Puma “Voices of a Re:Generation” and global goals ambassador.

Report: Growing Participation Rates Supporting Outdoor Rec Sales and M&A
Capstone suggested that financial performance across the sector is expected to improve as firms work through excess inventories, limit promotion activity, and mitigate margin pressures.