Vista Outdoor Removed from S&P CreditWatch After Ammo Business Sale
S&P Global Ratings removed the debt ratings of Vista Outdoor, Inc. from CreditWatch with negative implications following the company’s announcement that it planned to sell its sporting products business to Czechoslovak Group A.S for $1.91 billion on a cash-free, debt-free basis.
Academy Sports Names Sam Johnson President as Mullican Departs
The retailer announced that Michael Mullican is stepping down as president to pursue personal and professional opportunities. Sam Johnson, EVP of retail operations, is his successor, effective immediately.
Vista Outdoor Hires General Counsel for Revelyst
Vista Outdoor, Inc. has hired Jung Choi as general counsel and corporate secretary for Revelyst, its Outdoor Products business, following the announced spin-off of its Outdoor Products segment into a standalone public company.
Apex Shooting Range Opens in Fort Lauderdale
Apex Shooting Center opened a 20,000-square-foot shooting range in Fort Lauderdale, FL, offering firearms, optics, accessories, ammo, and a retail firearm’s store.
Suunto Adds Another Sales Agency to Rep Brand in U.S.
Dan Suher, now head of Americas for Suunto, announced last week the addition of Round Pond Sales Group led by Kyle Rohne and Ian Wauchope to represent Suunto in New England.
Scheels to Build Second Texas All Sports Store in 2024
Construction on the new 240,000-square-foot All Sports store will begin early next year at CedarView in CedarPark, TX. The Cedar Park Scheels joins The Colony location which opened in a North Dallas suburb in 2020, expanding the company’s reach across the state.
FN America Breaks Ground on Second SC Manufacturing Plant
The manufacturing facility, built on FN’s foundation and history within the state, will be located in the Pickens County Commerce Park in Liberty, SC. The company will invest $33 million to construct the future 100,000-square-foot space over two phases.
Timberland Eyewear Drops Round Keyhole Sunglasses
Aligned with Timberland’s sustainability initiatives, the frames in this collection incorporate bio-based injected plastic and acetates, with percentages ranging from 35 percent to 80 percent depending on the style.
National Retail Federation Survey Sees Uptick in Holiday Spending
A NRF survey found that consumers expect to spend $875 on average on holiday gifts, decorations, food, and other seasonal items this year, up 5.0 percent from $833 on average that consumers planned to spend in 2022 and in line with the average consumer holiday budget over the last five years.
Fortress Safe Biometric Gun Safes Recalled
Fortress Safe recalled about 61,000 of its Biometric Gun Safes. The Consumer Products Safety Commission said it is aware of a recent lawsuit alleging a 12-year-old boy died from a firearm obtained from one of the safes.
KOA Survey: More Than Half of Campers Have Booked Trips for 2024
Kampgrounds of America Inc.’s (KOA) October Research Report found that 51 percent of campers booked at least one trip for 2024 compared to 13 percent of leisure travelers who have pre-booked their 2024 travel plans.
Costa Sunglasses’ Marlin Fly Project Rooted in Community and Conservation
In partnership with the locals of San Carlos, Mexico, The Billfish Foundation and the International Game Fish Association, Costa’s Marlin Fly Project team deployed 15 satellite tags to understand and protect this understudied billfish species.
ICSC Sees Holiday Sales Expanding 3.8 Percent
Retail sales are expected to grow 3.8 percent this holiday season, according to ICSC’s 2023 holiday shopping forecast. The agency also forecasted a 7.6 percent increase in F&B, bringing the total expected spend for the season to $1.60 trillion.
Johnson Outdoors to Discontinue its Eureka! Business
Johnson Outdoors, Inc. announced that it is exiting its Eureka product lines. The products will remain available for sale as it winds down operations, with plans to fulfill all customer requirements through the end of 2024.
Deloitte Sees 2023 Holiday Spending Returning to Pre-Pandemic Levels
Deloitte is forecasting that holiday spending this year will surpass pre-pandemic levels for the first time. Consumers surveyed for the report plan to spend an average of $1,652 during the shopping season—a 14 percent year-over-year increase, though a modest four-year CAGR of 2.5 percent reflecting a normalization of trends.
