SGB Update Outdoor
United Sports Brands Acquired by Norwest Equity Partners
Norwest Equity Partners (NEP) has acquired United Sports Brands, the parent of Shock Doctor, McDavid, Cutters, Nathan, Pearl Izumi, and Glukos, from Bregal Partners. NEP’s history with USB brands dates to 2008, when it acquired Shock Doctor as part of its consumer products portfolio.
Backcountry Sells Bergfreunde European Subsidiary
Backcountry reported it entered into a definitive agreement to sell its European subsidiary, Bergfreunde, to Decathlon, the largest sporting goods retailer in the world.
Report: Black Friday Traffic Sees Uptick
Sensormatic Solutions released its initial shopper visit data for U.S. brick-and-mortar stores and shopping centers for Black Friday, November 24, noting that foot traffic increased 4.6 percent compared to 2022.
Report: U.S. Black Friday Retail Sales Up Modestly
According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, retail sales grew 2.5 percent year-over-year on Black Friday, slowing as expected from a gain of 12 percent on the same day a year ago.
Report: Black Friday Sees Record Online Spending
According to Adobe Analytics, a record $9.8 billion was spent online in the U.S. for Black Friday, up 7.5 percent year-over-year (YoY). Adobe had estimated this year’s Black Friday sales at $9.6 billion.
Wolverine World Wide Sees Debt Ratings Downgraded
Moody’s downgraded Wolverine World Wide, Inc.’s debt ratings to reflect Wolverine’s “ongoing steep revenue and earnings declines and Moody’s expectations that the challenging retail environment will hinder the company’s ability to realize significant near-term benefits from its turnaround efforts.”
KOA Sees Surge in Interest to Camp this Holiday Season
The Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA) Monthly Research Report, November 2023 Edition, outlines a notable increase in holiday travel expectations, with camping a favored option for Thanksgiving, Hanukah and Christmas.
Reima USA Expands Indie Sales Rep Team
Reima USA hired Kerry O Sales to its independent sales rep network, marking a “significant step” in growing its U.S. business.
SGB Media Thanksgiving Schedule
In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, SGB Media is taking time to be with family and will not publish the SGB Evening Update on November 22 or the SGB Morning and SGB Evening Updates on November 23, or November 24. Publishing will resume on November 27, 2023.
Outdoor Research Appoints VP of Operations
Outdoor Research recently promoted long-time employee Geoff Potter to vice president of operations, who has worked in planning and operations for nearly 12 years.
Wolverine Licenses Wolverine Brand Sock Business to Renfro Brands
Wolverine Worldwide’ licensed the Wolverine brand sock business exclusively to Renfro Brands.
Norrøna Adds New Rep to cover Southwest U.S.
Norrøna hired Meagan Millar as a new sales rep covering the Southwest U.S. Millar brings over 20 years of experience in the outdoor industry.
Deloitte Sees 13 Percent Hike In Spending Over Thanksgiving Weekend
Spending during the Thanksgiving week period is expected to be up 13 percent from last year, with shoppers expected to spend an average of $567 during the Black Friday-Cyber Monday (BFCM) shopping events, according to Deloitte’s 2023 Black Friday Cyber Monday Survey.
Equip Outdoor Technologies Sets CEO Transition Plan
Equip Outdoor Technologies UK Ltd. (Equip), the parent company of Rab and Lowe Alpine, announced that its owner and CEO, Matt Gowar, is stepping down—an executive recruitment plan to find his successor is underway.
Kohl’s Sees Q3 Comps Down 5.5 Percent; Narrows Full-Year Guidance
Kohl’s reported fiscal third quarter net sales decreased 5.2 percent year-over-year, to $3.8 billion, with comparable sales down 5.5 percent. In other news, Dave Alves, who joined the retailer as president and COO in late February, has left the company.
