SGB Update Outdoor
Lands’ End Secures New Term Loan
Lands’ End, Inc. entered into a new term loan of $260 million. The company used the proceeds to refinance its existing term loan ahead of maturity in September 2025.
Bulls Bikes USA Hires Sales Chief
Los Angeles-based Bulls Bikes USA hired Rob Kaplan as head of sales. Most recently, Kaplan was VP of sales at Alta Cycling Group.
Thule Group Transitions CFO Role
In May 2023, Thule announced that Jonas Lindqvist, its CFO since 2020, would leave his position but remain in the role until it found his successor. The company announced in July 2023 that it had hired Toby Lawton to fill the CFO position.
Camping World to Add 15 Dealerships in the First Quarter
The company closed on the acquisition of Ashley Outdoors in Salem, AL, the first of 15 dealership locations Camping World expects to open in the first quarter of 2024.
Report: Merchandise Returns Reach 14.5 Percent in 2023
According to the report released by the National Retail Federation and Appriss Retail, for every $1 billion in sales, the average retailer reportedly incurs $145 million in merchandise returns. Online sales do see a higher return rate, at 17.6 percent.
Report: U.S. Holiday Season Retail Sales at Low End of Forecast
U.S. retail sales, excluding automotive, increased 3.1 percent year-over-year this holiday season, according to a report from Mastercard SpendingPulse measuring the period from November 1 through December 24.
Happy Holidays From SGB Media
In observance of the Christmas holiday, SGB Media is taking time to be with family and will not publish the SGB Updates on December 25. Publishing will resume on December 26 with one Update newsletter daily through December 29.
American Outdoor Brands Names Chief Product Officer
The company promoted James Tayon to chief product officer. Tayon will continue to lead the company’s strategic product direction, including product innovation, design, development, and marketing.
Yeti Expands Board of Directors with Two New Additions
Rob Katz has acted as the executive chairperson of the Board at Vail Resorts, Inc. since 2021 after serving as CEO from 2006 to 2021. Beth Axelrod reportedly brings over 20 years of strategic human resources leadership and management development expertise to the Yeti Board.
Nordstrom Rack To Add Another Houston Location in Fall 2024
The store will occupy 34,000 square feet in the Meyerland Plaza, among Texas’s Top 5 most visited open-air shopping centers. The retailer operates eight Nordstrom stores and 23 Nordstrom Rack stores in the state.
Compass Diversified Receives $75.2 Million Equity Investment
The owner of Velocity Outdoor, BOA, Primaloft, 5.11, and other active lifestyle brands, reported that it had completed a private placement of approximately 3.6 million of its common shares to a mutual fund managed by Allspring Global Investments to raise $75.2 million.
E-Bike Company EBliss Global Appoints New President
EBliss Global hired Dave Boyle, an auto industry veteran with over thirty years of experience, to help bring the company’s Always Brand e-bikes to auto dealers. He will also serve as company president.
U.S. Consumer Confidence Rises to 5-Month High in December
The Conference Board reported that its Consumer Confidence Index rose to 110.7 million in December, up from a downwardly revised 101.0 in November in an indication that concerns about a recession in the U.S. are lessening. The Index improved for the third consecutive month, reaching its highest level since July.
Authentic Partners with Former Boardriders Execs to Manage Japan, Taiwan
BRJ Group, led by Sammy Yoo, a 13-year veteran of the Boardriders’ portfolio, will operate business in Japan and Taiwan, which includes the Quiksilver, Billabong, Roxy, RVCA, DC Shoes, Element and Von Zipper brands.
Electric Scooter Company Bird Lands in Bankruptcy Court
Electric vehicle company Bird Global filed for bankruptcy with an agreement to sell some of its assets to its existing lenders.
