SGB Update Outdoor
Leadership Change At Wattbike
After over ten years at Wattbike, Richard Baker is stepping down as CEO. Stephen Loftus, most recently chief commercial officer at Brompton, will assume the role on May 1. Baker will remain with the brand as a special advisor to the Board.
Mtntough, Inc. Names Chief Marketing Officer
Mtntough, Inc. named Ryan Watson as chief marketing officer responsible for developing and monitoring the brand’s overall business marketing strategies, including market research, digital marketing, public relations and communications, and strategic partnerships.
Costco Sees March Comps Slip On Changes in Gas Prices, FX Rates
Costco Wholesale Corporation reported net sales of $21.71 billion for the retail month of March, the five weeks ended April 2, 2023, representing an increase of 0.5 percent from $21.61 billion last year.
Play It Again Sports Parent And Elan Sports Forge Resale Partnership
Winmark Corporation, parent company of used sports equipment retailer Play It Again Sports, has entered into a partnership with snow sports marketer and distributor Elan Sports USA. Winmark will become the Official Resale Partner of Elan, and Elan will be a Premier Sustainability Partner of Winmark and Play It Again Sports.
Walmart Sees 65 Percent Of Stores Serviced By Automation By 2026; Reiterates Guidance
Walmart Inc. kicked off its two-day 2023 Investment Community meeting this week, with leadership highlighting how the company is investing to strengthen its business through its people and an unparalleled, next generation supply chain network of stores, clubs and fulfillment centers.
Dick’s SG Names Chief E-Commerce Officer
Dick’s Sporting Goods hired Denise Karkos, formerly at SiriusXM, as chief e-commerce officer.
Steiner Optics Hires Firearms Industry Vet As National Sales Manager
Steiner Optics hired Dave Pasienski as the national sales manager, bringing nearly two decades of industry experience to the position.
Survey: Gen Z Still Prefers Nike, Chick-Fil-A and Goldfish; Off-Price Gets More Attention
Investment bank Piper Sandler Companies completed its 45th semi-annual Taking Stock With Teens survey in partnership with Deca. The Piper Sandler survey highlights discretionary spending trends and brand preferences from 5,690 teens across 47 U.S. states with an average age of 16.2 years.
Chums Adds To Team Of Independent Sales Reps
Chums continues to focus on growing its specialty retail business, expanding its rep force to include Rocky Mountain Rep Group, Rep Monsters and independent sales rep Allen Breeding.
Open Cycle Recalls Certain Branded Bikes And Framesets
Open Cycle AG recalled Open Cycle-branded bicycles, models U.P. Ekar, Upper Ekar, Wide Ekar, Mind Ekar, and all Open Cycle framesets using a Campagnolo hydraulic rear disc brake. The rear brake could fail, posing a crash hazard.
Cannondale Recalls Tesoro Neo X Speed E-Bikes
Cycling Sports Group recalled certain Cannondale Tesoro Neo X Speed e-bikes in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The hand brakes do not meet U.S. safety standards—they do meet European safety standards, but those are reversed from the U.S. safety standards, posing fall and injury hazards to the riders.
Boardriders, Inc.’s Debt Ratings Upgrade Report Reveals ABG Deal Priced At $1.25 Billion
Moody’s Investors Service placed Boardriders, Inc.’s debt ratings on review for upgrade following the announcement that Authentic Brands Group (ABG) has made a binding offer to acquire the company. The report revealed the purchase price is approximately $1.25 billion.
Study: Mercury Marine Has $5.4 Billion Annual Impact On Fond du Lac, WI Area
According to a new study conducted by Envision Greater Fond du Lac, Mercury Marine (a division of Brunswick Corporation), headquartered in Fond du Lac, has a $5.4 billion annual economic impact on the local Fond du Lac community – an increase of almost 10 percent from just three years ago.
Vista Outdoor To Close Bell/Giro HQ As Outdoor Businesses Merge; Appoints Sporting Products CEO
In a regulatory filing, Vista Outdoor announced an over $50 million cost reduction and earnings improvement program, including closing Bell/Giro headquarters in Scotts Valley, CA, spending cuts, EBIT improvements, and headcount reductions across brands and corporate teams. Jason Vanderbrink was promoted to CEO of Sporting Products.
Blue Ridge Chair Works Hires Head Craftsman
Blue Ridge Chair Works, a portable outdoor furniture manufacturer, hired Colin Buxton as a head craftsman who is also tasked with introducing a brand refresh.
