SGB Update Outdoor
NRF Promotes From Within For Foundation Executive Director
The National Retail Federation promoted Adam Lukoskie to executive director of the NRF Foundation. He had been the Foundation’s vice president.
Report: U.S. Discretionary Retail Spending Dips In 2022
The NPD Group is reporting that total unit sales of U.S. discretionary general merchandise in 2022 were 7 percent lower than the prior year, and sales revenue fell 2 percent.
NRF Adds Six Members To Board
The National Retail Federation (NRF) added six new members to its board of directors during its annual winter board meeting.
Retail’s Big Show Expanding To Asia Pacific In 2024
Retail’s Big Show is expanding to the Asia Pacific in 2024 with its annual conference and exhibition. Organizers expect it will draw thousands of retailers and business partners from across the region.
Ski Haus Opens In Woburn
Ski Haus opened its third store in Woburn, MA. The ski retailer also operates locations in Salem, NH and Framingham, MA.

RVIA: 67 Million Americans Plan To Go RVing This Year
A recent survey conducted by the RV Industry Association found that 37 percent of American leisure travelers, representing 67 million, plan to take an RV trip this year.
Salomon Names Global Chief Brand Officer
Salomon named Scott Mellin its global chief brand officer, headquartered in its Annecy office in the French Alps.
Grassroots Names Director Of Events
Grassroots Outdoor Alliance named Devaki Murch as director of events.
REI Outside Of Cleveland Seeks To Unionize
Workers at the REI in Orange, OH, a suburb of Cleveland, announced their intention to unionize and filed for a union election.
Specialized Lays Off 8 Percent Of Its Workforce
Specialized Bicycle Components announced it was laying off 8 percent of its employees, including company-owned retail stores in the U.S. and overseas, as part of a “transformation.”
Compass Diversified Divests Electronics Company Holding
Compass Diversified (CODI), which owns Velocity Outdoor, BOA, Marucci, Primaloft, 5.11 and others in the active lifestyle space, entered into a definitive agreement to sell its majority-owned subsidiary, Compass AC Holdings, Inc., the parent company of Advanced Circuits, Inc., to APCT, Inc., a manufacturer of printed circuit boards and the portfolio company of Industrial Growth Partners.
REI To Open Athens Store
REI Co-op will open a new store in Athens, GA on February 10.
Academy Sports To Open Store In Lafayette, IN
Academy Sports + Outdoors, Inc. will open its first store in Lafayette, IN this spring in Lafayette Pavilions. This is the retailer’s fourth location in Indiana.

JD Sports Posts 20 Percent H2 Growth Across North American Retail Banners
JD Sports Fashion Plc, the parent company of Finish Line, DTLR and Shoe Palace in the U.S. and sports fashion and outdoor retail brands Blacks, JD, Millets, and Go Outdoors in the U.K., realized sales growth of more than 10 percent in its organic retail businesses through 22 weeks of the second half of 2022.

BlackStrap Creates Midway Campus And Company Headquarters
BlackStrap, the manufacturer of face gear, base layers and accessories for winter sports, anglers and outdoor recreationists, is expanding and constructing its Midway campus and company headquarters.