SGB Update Outdoor

Huk To Sponsor MLF Big5
Major League Fishing (MLF) announced that Huk, the maker of fishing apparel, has signed on as the exclusive apparel sponsor of the MLF BIG5 for the 2021 season.

NC Outdoor Recreation Coalition Announces New Leadership And Agenda
The North Carolina Outdoor Recreation Coalition announced its 2021 Legislative Agenda and elected Dave Petri as its new Board Chair to drive the organization’s work on policy and advocacy objectives.

Unifi Sees Incremental Improvement In Q2
Unifi Inc. reported sales of $162.8 million in the second quarter ended December 27, a decrease of 4.0 percent year-over-year, but an increase of 15.0 percent sequentially from the first quarter of fiscal 2021. Revenues from REPREVE Fiber products represented 37 percent of consolidated net sales, a new quarterly record.

Columbia Sportswear Appoints Chief Digital Information Officer
Columbia Sportswear Company announced the appointment of Skip Potter to the role of executive vice president, chief digital information officer, effective April 1. Most recently, he spent four years as Nike’s chief technology officer.

Vista Outdoor’s Debt Ratings Upgraded
Moody’s upgraded the debt ratings of Vista Outdoor Inc. because Vista repaid a significant amount of debt over the last two years. The rating agency also expects the company’s operating performance to remain strong over the next 12 to 18 months as ammunition demand remains robust and as the company continues to work through its material backlog.

Lectric eBikes Secures Investment
Bertram Capital announced that it has made an investment in Phoenix, AZ-based Lectric eBikes, a designer and direct-to-consumer retailer of electric bicycles and accessories.
REI To Open New Store In Orland Park
REI Co-op will open a new store in the Village of Orland Park, IL in fall 2021, representing the co-op’s fifth location in Illinois.

VF’s Q3 Revenues Slide 6 Percent
VF Corp. reported sales dropped 6 percent in the third quarter ended December 26. Sales for the Vans brand were down 6 percent while sales for The North Face were flat, though the company’s entire outdoor segment fell 5 percent. Earnings came in just ahead of Wall Street’s consensus estimate but were below year-ago levels. VF nonetheless raised its guidance for the year.

JD Sports Explores Funding Options To Fuel Expansion
JD Sports, the U.K. retailer that owns Finish Line and Shoe Palace in the U.S., confirmed on Tuesday that it was exploring additional funding to support growth.

Target Giving $500 Pandemic Bonuses To 375,000 Frontline Employees
Target said it would be rewarding its frontline workers with $500 bonuses for their efforts during a “year unlike others” in 2020. Members of Target’s executive team, store leaders and distribution center leaders will net bonuses of $1,000 to $2,000. In total, Target is giving out $200 million in bonuses after a successful holiday season.

Blackbird Products Group Adds Union Sales Agency
Blackbird Products Group, LLC, parent company of Mammoth Coolers, Mammoth PPE Products, and ABKT (American Buffalo Knife & Tool), announced a new partnership with Union Sales Agency.

NPD Report: Athletic Footwear And Activewear Sales Decline in 2020
U.S. athletic footwear dollar sales declined in the mid-single-digits in 2020 although sport-lifestyle, running, and golf outperformed, according to The NPD Group. Activewear sales were also down in the mid-single-digits for 2020, but sweatshirts and underwear posted gains.

Golf Rounds Played Surge In December
Golf rounds played jumped 37.3 percent for the month of December and grew 13.9 percent in total for 2020, according to Golf Datatech. The biggest regional gains were seen in New England, West North Central and Mid-Atlantic.

Rocky Brands To Acquire Original Muck Boot Company and Xtratuf
Rocky Brands, Inc. announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the performance and lifestyle footwear business of Honeywell International, Inc. including The Original Muck Boot Company and Xtratuf footwear brands, for a purchase price of $230 million.

PeopleForBikes Appoints Vice President Of Business Network
PeopleForBikes announced the addition of Ravi Rajcoomar as its vice president of the organization’s business network. Rajcoomar will serve on the trade association’s senior leadership team and guide the organization in creating an environment where cycling and the bike business grow.