SGB Update Outdoor

Bass Pro Shops To Hire 5,000

Bass Pro and Cabela’s announced plans to hire 5,000 new employees nationwide due to strong demand amid the pandemic

BJ’s Wholesale Club Debt Ratings Upgraded

Moody’s Investors Service Inc. upgraded all the debt ratings of BJ’s Wholesale Club due to continuing improvement in BJ’s quantitative profile resulting from continued strong operating results as well as the recent reductions in debt.

MEC Undergoes Layoffs At Stores

Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC), which operates 21 stores across Canada, has laid off a number of retail employees it formerly furloughed as it faces challenges managing during the pandemic.

Scheels Opens Store In Eden Prairie

Scheels on Saturday opened a two-story, 250,000-square-foot store at Eden Prairie Center at Eden Prairie, MN, replacing a smaller store.

EVent Fabrics Acquired By Hong Kong Company

EVent Fabrics, a developer waterproof apparel with air-permeable membrane technology, has been acquired by Performax Pro, Limited, of Hong Kong, who assumed full ownership of the eVent Fabrics brand for an undisclosed sum. The seller was Parker Performance Materials which has owned the eVent brand since 2017.

Big 5 Sees Robust Q2 Profit Turnaround Despite Comps Decline

Big 5 Sporting Goods released upbeat preliminary results for the fiscal second quarter ended June 28. The company said it expects earnings per share of 52 cents to 54 cents for the quarter, including a benefit of 15 cents related to rent abatements and litigation recovery, compared with breakeven EPS a year ago. 

Sea Otter Classic Cancels 2020 Edition

The Sea Otter Classic’s 2020 event, which had been rescheduled for October 1 to 4, will be canceled, according to the event’s organizers. The Bicycle Leadership Conference, traditionally held prior to the Sea Otter Classic, has also has been canceled.

Hydro Flask Parent Sees Modest Q1 Decline In Houseware Sales

Helen of Troy Ltd. reported sales in its Housewares segment, which includes Hydro Flask and OXO, were down 3 percent in the first quarter ended May 31, to $140.6 million primarily due to the temporary closure of key domestic brick & mortar customers due to COVID-19 and a decrease in international sales.

Retail Organization Seeks To Make Face Masks Mandatory

In a letter to the National Governors Association this week, RILA (Retail Industry Leaders Association) asked governors to require face masks when in public or while shopping. Fewer than half of U.S. states require masks in public places, according to the RILA.