Faxon Firearms Secures Bill Hicks & Co. for Wholesale Distribution
Faxon Firearms, based in Fairfield, Ohio, has inked a new wholesale distribution partnership with Bill Hicks & Co., Ltd.
European American Armory Acquires Facility in Tennessee
European American Armory, the Florida-based importer of shooting products, has acquired a large manufacturing facility in Mountain City, Tennessee, with additional acreage for future expansion.
Nike Closes Downtown Naperville Store
Nike closed its Live concept store in downtown Naperville, IL on July 13, according to local reports. The company provided no reason for the closure.
Whoop Names Reebok Vet Kristen Moss as First Chief Communications Officer
Kristen Moss most recently served as VP of Strategic Communications for North America at The Coca-Cola Company. Previously, she was head of Global Corporate Communications for Reebok, within the Adidas organization, where she reportedly led communications for the brand’s $2.5 billion sale to Authentic Brands Group.
S&S Hires SVP of U.S. Sales
S&S, formerly S&S Activewear, appointed Sean Eckhardt, a veteran of the spirits industry, as SVP of U.S. sales.
AGM Global Vision Names Head of Marketing
The manufacturer of night vision and thermal optics for hunters and shooters hired Leslie Vester as head of marketing. Prior, she was at sunglass maker Wiley X.
Play It Again Sports Parent Sees Slight Profit Decline in Q2
Winmark Corp., the parent of Play It Again Sports and several other resale franchises, reported net income of $10.4 million, or $2.81 a share, in the second quarter ended June 27, slighty down from earnings of $10.6 million, or $2.89, in the same period a year ago.
Whisper Marine Acquires Crownline Boats, Will Stay Focused on U.S. Made Boats
Whisper Marine, LLC, based in Johnson City, TN, is reported to be focused on “building a portfolio of premium American-made recreational boating brands”.
Chuze Fitness Thinks Expansion with New Chief Development Officer and VP of Construction
Jon Eckman, chief development officer, is responsible for guiding the full development lifecycle across the organization, and VP of Construction Brent Saul reportedly brought nine years experience at Crunch Fitness to his Chuze role.
Kopilot.ID Hires Outdoor Industry Veterans to Expand Outdoor and Action Sports Efforts
Brook Hopper is expected to lead brand strategy, communications, content, creative direction and messaging, while Jake Martin will lead commercial strategy focused on business development, strategic partnerships, product integration, retail strategy and channel growth.
Five Iron Golf to Open Location in Abu Dhabi
Five Iron Golf announced the upcoming opening of its newest international location at Yas Bay Waterfront in Abu Dhabi, marking its fourth location in the Middle East.
PVH Corp. Appoints Former Sephora Exec as Chief Financial Officer
The parent of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger appointed Alexis Rollier as chief financial officer, joining in early September 2026. He joins PVH from LVMH-owned Sephora, where he has served as global chief operating officer and global chief financial officer since 2018.
Kästle USA Resets Leadership Team as Company CEO Steven Poulin Resigns
The Austrian ski brand reported that Steven Poulin plans to resign as CEO effective August 27. To support Kästle USA’s next phase of growth, Jed Duke was appointed managing director and Justin Heanue, U.S. sales and operations director.
NRF Forecasts Robust Back-To-School Growth
The National Retail Federation’s (NRF) annual back-to-school survey forecasts more than double-digit growth this year, with spending by families with elementary-through-high-school kids expected to jump 9.9 percent and spending for college students expected to surge 16.6 percent. The survey also identified a continued shift toward earlier back-to-school shopping and an emphasis on affordability.
FDRA: Footwear Inflation Shows Slight Deceleration in June After May’s Peak Levels
After rising the most in three years in May with a 4.1 percent hike, overall inflation in the U.S. footwear category decelerated slightly in June, up 3.5 percent, according to the latest analysis from the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America. May marked the sharpest advance within the footwear category in 45 months.
