SGB Update Outdoor
VF Completes Sale of Dickies
VF Corp. announced that it has successfully closed the previously announced transaction to sell the Dickies brand to Bluestar Alliance LLC for an aggregate base purchase price of $600 million in cash, subject to customary adjustments.
Newell’s Debt Ratings Downgraded Due to Earnings Erosion
Moody’s Ratings downgraded the debt ratings of Newell Brands Inc., the parent of Coleman, Marmot and other outdoor brands, due to its weakening operating results. The rating agency said, “The ratings downgrade reflects ongoing pressures on Newell’s business as persistently weak consumer demand continues to impact its top line and higher costs and lower volumes are hindering its ability to meaningfully expand its operating profit margin.”
Columbia Sportswear Appoints Co-Presidents as Part of Succession Plans
Columbia Sportswear Company has appointed Peter Bragdon, Esquire, and Joe Boyle as co-presidents of the company, with Boyle appointed president of the Columbia brand. Bragdon will focus on the company’s International businesses, including the Mountain Hardwear, Prana and Sorel brands, while continuing his existing executive oversight of certain administrative and international distributor sales functions.
Outdoor Sports Marketing Expands Team
Outdoor Sports Marketing (OSM), based in Greenville, SC, hired industry veterans Gaston Farmer and Wendy Stanley as territory reps while appointing Joshua Gibbs as footwear channel lead.
Astral Undergoes Layoffs, Raises Prices to Offset Tariffs
Astral Designs announced that it was streamlining its operations, reducing its full-time staff by 14 percent and increasing prices on average by 10 percent at the start of 2026, to offset the impact of tariffs.
Outdoor Rec a ‘Valuable Asset on America’s Balance Sheet’
A new report, “Outdoor Recreation on Federal Public Lands & Waters: A Valuable American Asset,” released by the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), presents a view of how federally funded public lands and waterways fuel the U.S. economy.
Adobe: Holiday Spending Drives E-Commerce Sales Ahead 8.2 Percent in October
Enticed by early holiday deals, U.S. consumers spent $88.7 billion online in October, up 8.2 percent year-over-year, according to Adobe’s latest Analytics e-commerce data for the month. Mobile drove the majority of online spend with a 51.4 percent share ($45.6 billion, up 11.6 percent year-over-year) compared to desktop shopping.
October Retail Sales Show Growth Ahead of Holidays
Total retail sales, excluding automobile dealers and gas stations, were up 0.6 percent seasonally adjusted month over month and up 5 percent unadjusted year-over-year in October, recovering from a decline in September, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor.
Perfect Moment Opens First Owned Retail Store
London-based Perfect Moment, Ltd. opened its first wholly owned retail store on November 5 in Verbier, the gateway to the 4 Vallées ski area destination in south-western Switzerland.
Industry Nine Appoints Chief Executive Officer
Dustin Adams replaces Clint Spiegel, founder and owner of the maker of hubs, wheelsets and other bike components. Adams was the CEO of We Are One Composites. His new role was officially announced company-wide on October 23, 2025.
Circana: Earlier Holiday Shopping Set to Make Comeback
Promotions will have a greater influence on holiday shopping this year, with 37 percent of surveyed respondents noting that they will buy more items on sale or promotion to save money.
NRF: Imports Expected to Slow Down in November and December
Amid ongoing tariff uncertainties and most holiday goods already in stores or warehouses, import cargo volume at major U.S. container ports is expected to slow as usual in November and December, according to the Global Port Tracker report by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates.
OrthoLite Parent Coats Group Sees Sales Dip
Coats Group reported revenue in the four-month period from July 1 through October 31 declined by 1 percent, with declines of 2 percent in its Apparel and 4 percent in its Footwear segments offsetting growth in its Performance Materials segment.
GoPro Logs Loss on Sales Slump, Sees Improving Sell-Throughs
GoPro, Inc. reported a steep loss in the third quarter ended September 30, as sales declined 37 percent. However, the company indicated that cash flow from operations was positive for the second consecutive quarter and sell-through exceeded expectations.
Clarus Corp.’s Q3 Sees Adventure Segment Recovery Offset Flattish Black Diamond Sales
Clarus Corp. reported sales grew 4.1 percent the third quarter ended September 30 as a 16 percent jump in its Adventure segment offset a 1 percent decline in its Outdoor segment, which includes Black Diamond. The decrease in Outdoor sales was due to a shift in timing for independent global distributor revenues into the second quarter, lower DTC revenues, and lower PIEPS revenue due to its sale, partially offset by a 16 percent increase in North America wholesale revenue.
