SGB Update Outdoor

Recall: Swift Straps

About 1,800 nine-inch Swift Straps from Swift Industries Designs have been recalled. The rubber straps that fasten a bike bag to a bicycle could break, causing it to come loose and fall, posing a crash and/or injury hazard to the rider. 

Oros Apparel To Open Chicago Pop-up Shop

Oros, the manufacturer of thermal technology for apparel, announced it would open a pop-up shop in Chicago’s Southport neighborhood on October 22.

Norrøna Adds Midwestern Reps

Norrøna hired Grand Rapids, MI-based sales agency Kozy Outdoors, LLC, to its network of outdoor specialty retailers serving the Midwest region. The company also promoted Patrick Gould as U.S. sales rep, a newly created role.

RareWaters Expands Team, Hires CEO

RareWaters hired RJ Hosking as CEO and added to its sales and marketing team timed with its expansion into fly fishing in the Rocky Mountain region.

Academy Sports’ Debt Ratings Upgraded

S&P Global Ratings raised the debt ratings of Academy Sports + Outdoors, Inc. due to its recent better-than-expected performance, including S&P Ratings’-adjusted EBITDA margins of almost 19 percent over the last six quarters.

Veil Camo Acquires Crane Graphics Converting Company

Veil Camo, based in Wichita, KS, has acquired has Crane Graphics. Crane Graphics is a heat transfer paper and hydrographic film converter that has been supplying Veil patterns since Veil was founded.

Evo Announces Promotion And New Hire

Evo announced that Rebecca Heard, vice president of brand, marketing and e-commerce, had been promoted to chief marketing officer. Katie Little, formerly working for Lululemon, was hired as director of stores, U.S.

Buffalo Groupe Acquires Sports Marketing Surveys USA

Buffalo Groupe, LLC, a collection of agencies, events and media properties, acquired Sports Marketing Surveys USA. The acquisition builds on Buffalo Groupe’s acquisition of Longitudes Group in January 2021.

Helen Of Troy’s Home & Outdoor Segment Q2 Growth Boosted By Osprey Acquisition

Helen of Troy reported sales at its Home & Outdoor segment, which includes OXO, Hydro Flask and Osprey, increased 11.8 percent in its second quarter ended August 31 to $240.6 million. Gains from the acquisition of Osprey were partially offset by a decrease from organic business of 9.0 percent, driven by a decline in sales in home-related categories. Helen of Troy reduced its outlook for the year.

REI To Permanently Close On Black Friday

REI Co-op announced it would permanently close all its stores, including its distribution centers, activity centers, call centers, and headquarters on Black Friday; however, it is accepting customer online orders at REI.com, with order processing and fulfillment not beginning until the day after Black Friday.