SGB Update

Blacktusk Outdoors Acquires Lucky Strike Bait Works

Toronto-based Blacktusk Outdoors has acquired the Lucky Strike fishing lure brand. Plans are underway to reinvest Lucky Strike in product design, expand into new categories, and increase reach across North American and international markets.

Converse Appoints New CEO

Aaron Cain, a 21-year company veteran, was named the new CEO of Converse. He replaces Jared Carver, who is stepping down after serving as CEO for two years.

MeatEater to Open Store in Wisconsin

MeatEater, the hunt & fish specialty store, announced plans to open a store at The Corners of Brookfield in Wisconsin, representing its second store. MeatEater’s flagship store opened in April 2024 near its headquarters in downtown Bozeman, MT.

The Picklr Names Chief Operating Officer

Abby Olson previously served as VP of Field Operations and VP of Training at Crumbl, where she helped scale the company from fewer than 10 locations to over 1,100 across two countries.

Dr. Martens Seeing Positive Growth In Americas DTC Channel

Dr. Martens issued a trading update ahead of its annual meeting, indicating that sales are progressing as expected with positive growth in its direct-to-consumer business in the Americas region and strength in the APAC region helping offset some weakness in Europe.

Deloitte Sees Flat Back-To-School Spending

Deloitte’s 18th Annual Back-to-School Survey finds that spending for K-12 students will remain flat at $30.9 billion this year. Parents surveyed expect to spend $570 per student in grades K-12, down just $16 year-over-year. Overall, parents will spend on essentials, trading down on brands and retailers, and spreading out purchases over time.
 

Epic Baits Fishing Hires National Sales Manager

Based in Odessa, TX, Bryan Head has been hired as the company’s new national sales manager, overseeing all sales strategy, including dealer development, key account management and national sales growth.

The Buckle’s June Sales Climb

The Buckle, Inc. reported that comparable store net sales increased 3.8 percent in June. Net sales grew 4.7 percent to $106.5 million from net sales of $101.7 million a year prior.

Pentland Returns Ellesse to U.S. in New Licensing Deal

The exclusive, long-term licensing partnership will see The Iconic Brand Corporation design, develop, produce, and market Ellesse apparel and accessories in the U.S. in collaboration with Ellesse’s London team. The first collection will launch in Spring 2026.