SGB Update Outdoor

Janji And Oiselle Brands To Merge

Janji, a Boston-based running apparel brand, and Oiselle, a Seattle-based women’s athletic apparel company, have entered into a collaborative partnership through a merger facilitated by Digsbury Ventures.

Wolverine Worldwide Forecasts Low-Single-Digit Growth For 2023

Wolverine Worldwide’s fourth-quarter sales grew 8.4 percent as strong double-digit growth at Merrell and Saucony offset a steep decline at Sperry. Overall results were in line with recently-updated guidance. Guidance for the current year calls for margin pressures to continue in the first half of the year to further reduce inventories and low-single-digit growth on a currency-neutral basis for the overall year.

Sympatex Names Chief Sales And Marketing Officer

Sympatex Technologies, a manufacturer of membranes, laminates and textiles used in outdoor apparel and footwear, promoted Kim Scholze to chief sales and marketing officer and its board.

Fox Factory Acquires Custom Wheel House

Fox Factory Holding Corp. agreed to acquire Custom Wheel House, LLC (CWH) from Thompson Street Capital Partners and other sellers for $131.6 million.

Akers Digital Adds Two New Hires To Team

Akers Digital agency hired Bethany Donovan and Luke Paulson to expand its digital advertising, email marketing and Shopify services and better serve its clients in the cycling, snowsports, active apparel, and outdoor industries.

REI Updates Product Standards For Vendors

REI Co-op released its updated Product Impact Standards report to advance more sustainable and inclusive business practices. The latest version builds on three key areas: fighting climate change, advancing inclusion in the outdoors and managing chemicals.

GSI Outdoors Makes Two Key Hires

GSI Outdoors hired Justin Walford as EVP to GSI Outdoors and Pelican International and Tyler Botts as brand marketing manager to GSI.

Running Supply Acquires Achille Agway

Running Supply, Inc., operating as Runnings, based in Marshall, MN, agreed to acquire Achille Enterprises, Inc. Operating under Achille Agway, Achille Enterprises owns six farm and home stores in New Hampshire and Vermont.

VF Corp’s Debt Ratings Lowered

Moody’s Investors Service downgraded the debt ratings of VF Corp. due to the company’s currently high leverage resulting from underperformance in its largest and most profitable brand, Vans, as well as large customer inventory destocking at Dickies, a slower-than-expected recovery in China, and elevated inventory levels that are leading to higher promotional sales activity and reduced margins.