SGB Update Outdoor

Outdoor Gear Builders Appoints Executive Director

Outdoor Gear Builders announced the appointment of Matt Godfrey as the organization’s executive director. OGB, based in Ashville, NC, has grown to over 75 members (retailers and vendors) in the outdoor industry in Western North Carolina.

NICS Firearms Background Checks Slide In May

The May 2022 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) slipped 11.3 percent to 1.17 million compared to the May 2021 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 1.32 million.

Lululemon Hikes Outlook As Q1 Tops Guidance

Lululemon Athletica Inc. raised its earnings and sales guidance for the year after reporting first-quarter results that surpassed its expectations. Sales were up 32 percent in the first quarter with same-store sales ahead 24 percent.

Rocky Mountain Bicycles Appoints CEO

Rocky Mountain Bicycles, based in Saint-Georges, Quebec, has appointed Katy Bond as CEO. Company owner Raymond Dutil becomes executive chairman and coach of innovation.

St. Croix Rod Grows Product Team

St. Croix Rod hired Robert Woods as product manager. He spent the past eight years at Wells Vehicle Electronics in Fond du Lac.

Novoloop Extends Series A Round To $21M

Advanced upcycling startup Novoloop expanded its Series A to $21 million through an oversubscribed extension led by Mistletoe Singapore and Hanwha Solutions. This nearly doubles the company’s raise of $11 million announced in February.

Signa Sports’ Q2 Sales Climb 48 Percent

Berlin-based Signa Sports United reported net revenue grew 48 percent in the fiscal second quarter ended March 31 to €269 million. The gains reflect the full contribution from the acquisitions of WiggleCRC and Tennis Express.

Duluth Holdings Q1 Profits Boosted By Margin Gains

Duluth Holdings, Inc. reported earnings before non-recurring items more than doubled in the fiscal first quarter ended May 1 as strong improvements in gross margins offset a slight decline in sales. The parent of Duluth Trading reaffirmed its guidance for the year.

NSGA Adds New Board Members

The National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) made two changes to its Board of Directors with the appointments of Troy M. Freeman of Winmark Corporation/Play It Again Sports and John Scipio of SV Sports. Their three-year terms took effect on June 1.

Polygiene Appoints COO

Polygiene Group appointed Frank Stevens as chief operating officer for the company. His most recent position was as general manager of Textiles for Sciessent, LLC in the United States, where he worked for more than ten years.