SGB Update Outdoor
Rather Outdoors Hires SVP Brand Management
Rather Outdoors announced that industry veteran Zack Swanson would join its North American operation on February 1, 2022, to lead Lew’s, Strike King, Zebco, and Quantum as its SVP brand management. Swanson previously spent over two decades at Rapala VMC Corporation.
NPD Group: Early 2021 Retail Gains Outpaced Strong Holiday Finish
U.S. consumer spending on general merchandise ended the year up 15 percent compared to 2020 with a 6 percent increase in unit sales. While holiday shopping brought positive retail results, the early part of the year delivered more significant year-over-year gains. The fourth quarter of 2021 contributed 9 percent revenue growth and one percent unit growth over the prior year, according The NPD Group.
KKR Acquires Accell For $1.77BN
A consortium led by buyout firm and Teslin Alpine Acquisition has agreed to a takeover of Accell Group that values the maker of bike brands, including Raleigh, Haibike, Ghost, Koga, Sparta, and Batavus at Є1.56 billion ($1.77 billion).
Port Of Los Angeles Breaks Cargo Record In 2021, Sets Priorities For 2022
Breaking its previous calendar year record by 13 percent, the Port of Los Angeles processed about 10.7 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) during 2021. The milestone, a Western Hemisphere record, was announced by Port Executive Director Gene Seroka in his address at the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association’s Seventh Annual “State of the Port” event held virtually this year.
Gathr Outdoors Acquires Cascadia Vehicle Tents
Gathr Outdoors announced its acquisition of Cascadia Vehicle Tents (CVT). The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Camping World Increases Stock Repurchase Program
Camping World Holdings Inc. announced that its Board of Directors has authorized an increase in its stock repurchase program after which $200 million remains available for the repurchase of the company’s Class A common stock.
Escalade Completes Acquisition Of Brunswick Billiards
Escalade Inc. announced that it has completed its acquisition of the assets of the Brunswick Billiards business from Life Fitness.
NPD Sees Performance Footwear Climb Double-Digits In Fourth Quarter
The NPD Group reported performance footwear sales in the U.S. grew 12 percent in the fourth quarter against the pre-pandemic 2019 fourth quarter. Sales on the same basis of leisure footwear inched up 2 percent while fashion footwear declined 4 percent.
Kohl’s Receives Pressure From Two Possible Suitors
Kohl’s shares are set to surge Monday morning as the department store chain is reportedly fielding interest from two suitors at the same time that it’s grappling with multiple activist investors pressuring it to sell.
ICSC Survey: Holiday Sales Grew 17 Percent
As retail sales grew 17 percent year-over-year in November and December, ICSC’s (International Council of Shopping Centers) 2021 Post-Holiday Survey has found that consumers spent an average of $1,011 this holiday season, with 226 million consumers spending money on holiday gifts.
Walmart Appoints New U.S. E-Commerce Chief
Walmart has tapped Tom Ward to lead its e-commerce division after the departure of Casey Carl, according to a company memo as first reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Patagonia Sales Exec Joins Better Place Forests
Better Place Forests announced the appointment of John Collins as CEO. Collins began his retail career with Patagonia in 1996 and most recently served as Patagonia’s head of global revenue.
Peloton Considers Layoffs But Denies Reports It Will Suspend Bike Production
Peloton, in a note on its website, confirmed it is considering layoffs, but denied a report that the company would temporarily halt production of its bikes to realign supply with softer demand. In a separate press release, Peloton indicated its fiscal second-quarter revenue would be within its previously forecasted range.
WFSGI Appoints Head Of Cycling
World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) announced that Michelle Smyth is its new head of cycling.
Report: Peloton Suspends Bike And Treadmill Production Amid Slowdown
According to a confidential internal presentation dated January 10 attained by CNBC, Peloton has paused its Bike production for two months, from February to March, due to a “significant reduction” in demand attributed to heightened price sensitivity and competition.
