SGB Update Outdoor
Academy Sports Hires Chief People Officer
Academy Sports + Outdoors, Inc., appointed Matt Pasch, formerly at Burlington Stores, to the role of EVP and chief people officer. He succeeds Bill Ennis, who recently retired.
American Outdoor Brands Sales Climb 25 Percent in Fiscal Q1, Ups EBITDA Guide
The first quarter performance reportedly reinforces the confidence in the company’s expectations for the year. AOUT is maintaining our full-year guidance for net sales of $200 million to $210 million, and increasing the Adjusted EBITDA guidance to $14.5 million to $17.5 million.
Lands’ End Reports Improved Profitability Under WHP Leadership, Sees Modest Q2 Sales Gain
The vertical omni-channel retailer said results for the quarter came in at the lower end of guidance and consequently slightly lowered its full-year outlook for sales and operating profits. Adjusted earnings of 9 cents a share compared with earnings in the range of 6 cents to 16 cents.
Bain Envisions U.S. Holiday Retail Sales Exceeding $1T for the First Time
Bain & Company predicted U.S. retail sales over the upcoming November-December holiday shopping season to increase 4.5 percent year-on-year (YoY), well ahead of a 3.5 percent YoY rise recorded in the 2025 holiday season and topping $1 trillion for the first time. The consultancy noted taht more than half of the nominal sales growth will come from higher inflation and most new growth will come from online selling.
SDSI Undergoes Leadership Transition
San Diego Sport Innovators (SDSI), the non-profit that has traditionally supported Southern California’s sports and active lifestyle (SAL) economy, reported that Bob Rief, who has served as SDSI’s executive director for the past decade, will move into the role of chair of the Board.
Vail Resorts Independent Board Member to Step Down
Vail Resorts, Inc. reported that that Board of Directors member Sue Decker has informed the company she will not stand for reelection at the company’s 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Decker joined the boards of Anderson Group, Inc. and Nscale, Ltd. within the last year, and made the decision to step down from the Vail Resorts Board in order to manage her total number of board commitments.
Duluth Holding Sees Reduced Promotions Boost Q2 Profitability
Duluth Holdings, Inc. (dba Duluth Trading Company) reported another quarter of improved profitability with a boost from tax refunds and internal efforts to reduce discounting. Sales fell 7.8 percent as both web traffic and web conversion declined as a result of reduced promotional activity. The retailer raised its earnings guidance for the year.
Helly Hansen Expected to Double Sales Over Next Five Years
As part of a Helly Hansen Investor Day being held Wednesday in Oslo, Norway, Kontoor Brands, Inc. announced Helly Hansen’s long-term growth strategy and 2030 financial targets. The targets call for Helly Hansen to deliver a compound annual growth rate of approximately 10 percent over the next five years at an operating margin in the mid-teens percent range.
Bass Pro to Close Store in East Memphis
Bass Pro Shops is closing its store in East Memphis after 24 years in operation in a rare store closing for the retailer.
SGB Media Closed for Labor Day Holiday Weekend
In observance of the Labor Day holiday, SGB Media will be closed after noon on Friday, September 4 and for the full day on Monday, September 7. SGB Media will return to the office and resume newsletter publication on Tuesday, September 8.
Sportsman’s Warehouse’s Lowers Q2 Loss as Hunting & Shooting Sports Comps Lead Gainers
Sportsman’s Warehouse Holdings Inc. slightly lowered its net loss in the second quarter ended August 1 due to inventory efficiencies and a tariff refund. Same-store sales were flat as a 6.7 percent increase in Hunting & Shooting Sports department sales offset a decline in Fishing comps.
Grassroots Outdoor Alliance Appoints Director of Retailer Development
Jenni Evertsen will reportedly serve as a “dedicated point of connection for Grassroots Outdoor Alliance retailer members — building relationships within the organization, identifying where Grassroots members collectively need expertise they don’t have, and creating learning experiences to help retailers achieve their goals.”
Sock Start-Up Skunk Skin Acquired by Western Wearhouse
Skunk Skin, a startup making odor-preventing socks, has been acquired by Western Wearhouse, an Atlanta-based retailer specialising in Western-style clothing.
Darby Communications Promotes from Within to Fill Two New Roles
The Asheville, North Carolina-based public relations and digital marketing agency for outdoor, hunting, fishing, and endurance brands, has shuffled its leadership and service ranks with the addition of a new director of Emerging Services role and two promotions on its client services team.
Norrøna Names North American Sales Manager
The Norwegian outdoor brand appointed Jamie Baker as its new North American sales manager. He joins the brand after a career spent in senior commercial leadership roles at Arc’teryx, Icebreaker and Smartwool.
