SGB Update Outdoor

Report: U.S. Footwear Sales Slip In Q1 But Performance Footwear Gains

U.S. footwear industry sales revenue was down 3 percent in the first quarter year-over-year to $9.0 billion, according to point-of-sale data published by Circana, formerly The NPD Group. Gains in the performance footwear category, led by basketball, were offset by declines in the leisure and fashion categories.

Jack Wolfskin Signs With Irish Distributor

Jack Wolfskin based in Idstein near Frankfurt, Germany, has entered into a partnership with Bleubird to see the Belfast-based outdoor lifestyle equipment distributor and brand exclusively represent Jack Wolfskin in Ireland and Northern Ireland, effective immediately.

JD Sports Appoints Two New Board Directors

JD Sports Fashion Plc, the parent company of JD, Finish Line, DTLR, and Shoe Palace, appointed Angela Luger and Darren Shapland as non-executive directors, effective June 1. Lauger joins JD Sports Remuneration Committee and Shapland its Audit and Risk Committee also effective June 1.

Dick’s SG Completes Redemption Of Convertible Notes

Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. said in a regulatory filing it completed the conversion and redemption of its outstanding 3.25 convertible senior notes due 2025 and expected to reduce its annual interest payments by approximately $1.9 million.

Academy Sports + Outdoors To Open First Store In Peoria, IL

Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. reported it will open its first location in Peoria, IL, this summer; this is the second location in Illinois, set to open in Grand Prairie Plaza. The floor space covers over 60,000 square feet.

Canada Goose Makes Five Appointments To Leadership Team

Canada Goose reported making five appointments to its leadership team, effective immediately. Matt Blonder was hired as chief digital officer, Juliette Streichenberger was tapped as president of CGAG and the EMEA, Ana Mihaljevic was named head of global stores in addition to her role as president of North America, Daniel Binder moved from an interim position to chief transformation officer and EVP, sales operations and planning, and Patrick Bourke was promoted to SVP of strategy and corporate development.

Samsonite’s Debt Ratings Upgraded On Robust Sales Recovery

S&P Global Ratings upgraded the debt ratings of Samsonite International S.A. to reflect the company’s sales recovery in fiscal 2022 and the expectation of continued global travel recovery supporting further performance improvement through 2023.

Vail Resorts Sees Skier Visits Climb Six Percent Over Ski Season

Vail Resorts, Inc. reported season-to-date total skier visits were up 6.1 percent from the beginning of the ski season through April 16 year-over-year, helped by favorable weather conditions that enabled the ski resort operator to extend the season at resorts across Utah, Tahoe and the Northeast.

Whistler Blackcomb Names COO

Whistler Blackcomb, the largest ski resort in North America in the Canadian province of British Columbia, named Belinda Trembath as vice president and chief operating officer, effective May 15.

Rollerblade Youth In-Line Skates Recalled

About 13,400 Rollerblade Fury and Fury G youth inline skates are under recall. The rear brake support of the inline skates could fracture or separate, reducing user stability and increasing a fall risk.

Norrøna Acquires Canvas Hotel Telemark

Norrøna reported it acquired the Canvas Hotel Telemark, a wilderness lodge, including luxury yurts, for mountain bikers, with over 100 kilometers of slick rock trails connected by singletrack.