Wolverine Transforming Saucony and Merrell Model in China; Sells Asia Leathers Business
Wolverine World Wide, Inc. said it plans to shift its Merrell and Saucony businesses in China from a joint venture model with with Xtep to a license and distribution rights model. It also agreed it sell its Asia-based Wolverine Leathers business. Both actions are expected to simplify Wolvderine’s business model and generate $70 million in proceeds.
Czech CSG Group Adds Italian Shotgun Maker to Portfolio
The global industrial-technology company that recently agreed to acquire Vista Outdoors’ ammo brands has purchased a majority percent stake in the Italian, family-owned Armi Perazzi S.p.A., manufacturer of high-quality shotguns for sport shooters and elite hunters.
November Sales Show Small Gain, Tops Expectations
The Commerce Department reported that retail sales rose 0.3 percent in November over the prior month, stronger than the 0.2 percent decline in October and better than the Dow Jones estimate for a decrease of 0.1 percent.
Survey: 142 Million Shoppers Expected for Super Saturday
According to the National Retail Federation, the number of expected shoppers is up significantly from the last time Super Saturday fell on December 23, when 126 million consumers were expected to shop on that day in 2017.
Gerber Gear Hires Marketing Chief
Gerber Gear, based in Portland, OR, hired Ash Williams as the outdoor brand’s new head of marketing, effective December 4. Williams was, most recently, the VP of marketing at Grundéns.
Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Names Senior Manager in Financial Planning
Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit hired Chris Postanowicz as senior manager of Marine Financial Planning and Analysis.
KastKing Taps Macalanda as Social Media and Influencer Strategist
KastKing hired marketing and social media influencer RJ Macalanda as social media and influencer strategist. Macalanda has reportedly seen “explosive growth and viewership from his start-up fishing brand, Fish Boss.”
Sam’s Club to Reopen Store In Grapevine, TX
Sam’s Club reported plans to reopen in Grapevine, TX, in late 2024 after closing the store due to storm damage incurred in December 2022.
Study: Retailers See Online Sales Boosted by Store Openings
ICSC quantified the impact of opening or closing physical stores on online sales and retailers’ overall performance. Its latest study, the third installment in ICSC’s research on the halo effect of brick-and-mortar retail on online sales, is said to again prove the power of physical retail by demonstrating that a new store boosts online sales, while a closed store impedes them.
Report: Large Deals Driving Recent Outdoor Recreation M&A Activity
Consumer behavior has continued to perplex market participants as each pullback in spending has seemingly been followed by a resurgence of demand in the Outdoor Recreation market. That observation is one of the key points from the most recent Outdoor Recreation Market Update from Capstone Partners.
Z-Man Adds and Upgrades Fishing Tackle Talent to Team
Six-year Z-Man veteran and previous sales manager Ryan Harder was promoted this past summer to brand manager. Brandon McKellar recently joined the company at its home office in Ladson, SC to backfill Harder’s former role.
Vista Outdoor Gets Antitrust Nod for Ammo Business Sale
Vista Outdoor, Inc. reported that the deal to merge its sporting products business with Czechoslovak Group a.s. has cleared the antitrust clearance period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.
Arrive Recommerce Appoints Backcountry Vet as CTO
The company hired Alec Wilkins as chief technology officer. Wilkins was previously head of product and engineering at Backcountry and CPO/CTO at Overstock.com.
CNBC/NRF: Strong Retail Sales Gain for First Half of Holiday Season
According to CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, the holiday shopping season began with a strong start in November as retail sales with total retail sales, excluding automobiles and gas, up 0.77 percent seasonally adjusted month over month and up 4.24 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
RVIA Expects RV Shipments to Post Double-Digit Growth in 2024
The new forecast projects 2024 RV shipments to range between 343,900 and 356,300 units with a median total of 350,100 units. This total would represent a 11.8 percent to 15.8 percent increase over the expected 2023 year-end range.
