Report: U.S. November Online Sales Up 9.8 Percent; SG Segment Down 1.4 Percent
November’s Core Retail Sales – as defined by NRF — based on the Census data but excluding automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants — were up 0.4 percent seasonally-adjusted m/m and up 3.8 percent unadjusted y/y.
EXEC: Rapala VMC Names Cyrille Viellard Next President and CEO
Current President and CEO Lars Ollberg will retire on March 6, 2025. He has worked for the company for over 45 years. Incoming President and CEO Cyrille Viellard, who has worked at Rapala VMC since 2014, will assume the CEO role on March 7, 2025.
The Preserve Sporting Club & Resort Expands and Renovates Sporting Shoppe
The company said the 30,000 expansion and renovation is expected to enhance the shopping experience featuring a wider selection of outdoor gear, lifestyle apparel and authentic specialty goods.
EXEC: Radek Musil Ascends to CEO Role at Colt CZ Group
The Group will separate the company’s CEO and Chairman of the Board of Director roles effective January 1. Jan Drahota will continue as chairman of Colt CZ, and Radek Musil, the CEO of Sellier & Bellot, will become the new CEO of Colt CZ.
Z-Man Appoints Product Manager and Marketing Specialist
The company has hired Richard Dunham, a lifelong bass fisherman and industry veteran, in the newly created role of product manager role, and Marketing Specialist Abbie Skeen, who brings her skills in image and visual branding as well as graphic design.
Victory Archery Hires Regional Sales Manager
Cody Powell is the newest member of the growing Victory Archery team, stepping into the role of regional sales manager.
Legacy1846 Hires Industry Vet as VP of Brand & Customer Relations
The company has hired Luke Cotton as VP of brand and customer relations, driving collaboration across multiple divisions within the Legacy1846 brands, including Outtech and The Sports Products Group.
Report: Over 157M Consumers Plan to Shop on Super Saturday, with Almost Half Online
The NRF suggests that with only four days between Super Saturday and December 25, shoppers will likely embrace multiple channels as they wrap up their holiday shopping; however, e-commerce appears to be the top destination with 49 percent of respondents going online.
Rusty Saunders Passes Away After 60 Years in SG Industry
Rusty Saunders had a successful 60-plus-year career in the sporting goods industry, having worked in retail, manufacturing and sales. He was inducted into the NSGA Hall of Fame in 2013. Saunders passed away on December 8 at age 88.
PwC’s 2025 M&A Outlook Sees Arrows Pointing Up for Deal Flow
PwC’s analysis of PitchBook Data, Inc., found that several thousand PE exits were delayed over the past two years. The company said some of these exits are more likely to happen now that more certainty has returned to the market — meaning more potential targets for corporate acquirers.
Recall: Stanley Switchback and Trigger Action Travel Mugs
Stanley has received 91 reports worldwide, including 16 in the U.S., of the recalled travel mugs’ lids detaching during use, resulting in 38 burn injuries worldwide, including two burn injuries in the U.S.
Lancer Systems Appoints Familiar Face as LE/MIL Sales Manager
Charles Vlasek returns to the company as LE/MIL sales manager, focused on driving the company’s growth in law enforcement and military partnerships.
Celerant Technologies Appoints Michele Salerno Chief Growth Officer
Celerant Technology promoted Michele Salerno to the newly created position of chief growth officer. Salerno is now responsible for strategic partnership development, market expansion and revenue acceleration to drive sustainable business growth.
Costco Says Consumer is Healthy as it Reports 7.5 Percent Q1 Sales Growth
The commentary surrounding the fiscal 2025 first quarter results for Costco Wholesale Corporation ranged from “mixed” to “beats” to “strong” on Thursday, December 12 after the retail warehouse giant posted its operating results for the twelve weeks ended November 24.
EXEC: Inside Under Armour’s First Investor Day in Six Years
CEO Kevin Plank underlined the brand’s underdog positioning and attitude by describing the company as a “$5 billion start up.” Senior executives provided an in-depth qualitative overview of the company’s product, brand, and commercial strategies and other key initiatives being executed.
