SGB Update Outdoor
America’s Outdoor Recreation Act Reintroduced In U.S. Congress
America’s Outdoor Recreation Act (AORA) was reintroduced in the 118th Congress with strong bipartisan support, and the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable and its members across the $862 billion outdoor recreation economy urge swift approval of this bill.
National Ski & Snowboard Retailers Association Selects New Board Leadership
The National Ski & Snowboard Retailers Association (NSSRA), at its Board of Directors meeting on March 9, appointed Tracy Gibbons of Sturtevant’s (Bellevue, WA) as Chair, Robb Shepherd of Shepherd & Schaller Sporting Goods (Wausau, WI) as vice chair and Jon Morrill of Kittery Trading Post (Kittery, ME) as secretary/treasurer.
Signa Sports Fiscal Q1 Sales Up 27 Percent But Margins Suffer From Inventory Woes
Signa Sports United N.V. reported that the operating environment in the first quarter of fiscal 2023 was a continuation of the prior quarter, with depressed consumer sentiment and a promotional overstocked market, in particular in the bike category.

Academy Sports Q4 Earnings Fly Past Wall Street Targets
Academy Sports and Outdoors Inc. reported earnings on an adjusted basis increased 12.5 percent in the fourth quarter ended January 28 as lower freight costs and overall operating expenses offset a 5.1 percent decline in same-store sales. EPS easily topped analysts’ consensus estimates while sales were below.
Backpacker’s Pantry Hires VP Of Finance And Accounting
Backpacker’s Pantry hired Sarah Raizk as VP of finance and accounting.
February Retail Sales Rise 5.4 Percent Year-Over-Year
Overall retail sales dipped slightly in February, but core spending rose, according to data reviewed by the National Retail Federation.

Hydro Flask Launches Water Bottle Trade-In Program In The U.S.
Hydro Flask launched a Trade-In program that it claims is the first of its kind in the insulated water bottle category.
Sea To Summit Hires Regional Sales Directors, Promotes VP Of Sales
Sea to Summit hired two new regional sales directors, Seth Quackenbush and Brad Beanblossom and promoted Tracy Brunz to VP of sales.
Sweet Protection Names NA Sales Manager
Sweet Protection, the maker of performance helmets, goggles and technical clothing, reported that industry veteran Ryan Davis was hired as North American sales manager, responsible for accelerating the company’s development in the snow and bike categories.
Pou Sheng International Appoints CEO
The Pou Sheng International (Holdings) Limited board of directors re-designated Wang Jun, the acting CEO, as CEO effective March 15.
Marriott Appoints Dick’s CEO To Board Seat
Marriott International, Inc. elected Lauren Hobart, president and chief executive officer of Dick’s Sporting Goods and Grant F. Reid, former president and chief executive officer of Mars, as independent directors.
Gregory Posts Double-Digit Currency-Neutral Sales Growth In 2022
Samsonite International S.A. reported sales at Gregory backpack brand reached $61.4 million in 2022 against $59.4 million a year ago, representing a gain of 3.4 percent year-over-year. Gregory’s sales climbed 12.7 percent on a currency-neutral basis.
Niner Bikes Founder Joins Gates To Develop Bike And eBike Technologies
Niner Bikes founder Chris Sugai joined Gates as general manager of Gates Global Mobility, driving the development of advanced drivetrain solutions and belt technologies for bikes, eBikes, motorcycles, powersports, and electric micromobility.
Smith Names Bike Marketing Manager
Smith, the maker of snow goggles and helmets across bike helmets, sport, lifestyle, and prescription eyewear, hired Jeremy Dunn as bike marketing manager.

Sporting Goods Retail Industry Icon Jim Chick Passes Away
The National Sporting Goods Association shared that former NSGA board member and board chair, Jim Chick, passed away. Chick was president & CEO of Chick’s Sporting Goods, headquartered in Covina, CA, for nearly 40 years. He was a member of the NSGA board of directors from 1985 to 1994 and was the board chairman in 1992.