SGB Update Outdoor
The Microfibre Consortium Shuffles the Leadership Deck
Research Director Dr. Kelly Sheridan, who is also an Assistant Professor in Forensic Science (Textile Fibers) at Northumbria University, will reportedly step into the CEO chair, while Founding Director Sophie Mather will transition from the Board of Director to an advisory role, supporting “the continuity of the topic and the organization.”
FWV Sells CGPR to Integrated Travel and Recreation Marketing Firm
Off Madison Ave acquired PR Agency CGPR from French/West/Vaughan (FWV), the Raleigh, NC-based marketing agency that acquired the company in February 2020. CGPR is the fifth merger and acquisition by Off Madison Ave since 2005.
Nobis Outerwear Enters Chinese Market with Three Stores
Luxury outerwear brand Nobis opened three stores in Beijing and Shanghai, marking the brand’s entry into the Chinese retail space.
Thor Industries Sees Q1 Results Hampered by RV Dealer Destocking Pain
Thor Industries, Inc. reported profits fell 60.6 percent in the fiscal first quarter ended October 31 on lower margins and a 19.6 percent sales slump. The RV maker said results were in line with expectations and it reiterated guidance for the year.
Isbjörn of Sweden taps Sprout Sales for Canadian representation
Isbjörn of Sweden hired Toronto-based sales agency Sprout Sales, Inc., led by industry veteran Kelly Holmes, as its retail sales agent for the Canadian market.
REI to Close Santa Monica Store
REI confirmed plans to close its store in downtown Santa Monica, CA, due, in part, to higher costs of doing business. The two-story, 32,000-square-foot location will close February 29, 2024.
Livsn Designs Secures Funding From RZC Investments
Livsn Designs, a sustainable outdoor apparel brand, reported it raised seed capital led by RZC Investments, a Bentonville, AK-based multi-strategy investment firm on behalf of Steuart and Tom Walton.
PeopleForBikes Highlights Bike Industry Contribution to U.S. Economy
PeopleForBikes reported it took a deeper look into the Bureau of Economic Analysis recently released 2022 report that estimated the U.S. outdoor recreation economy contributed $1.08 trillion to the U.S. GDP in 2022.
VF, Vista Outdoor, Wolverine Worldwide Top Most-Read SGB Articles for November
November 2023 featured to usual articles for the start of the holiday shopping season and the end of the retail fiscal quarter, but it was a dramatic job cutting announcement from VF Corporation, parent of The North Face, Vans, Timberland, Dickies and Jansport that got the most attention over the 30-day period.
Consumer Confidence Rebounds in November
U.S. consumer confidence rose in November after three straight monthly declines, with U.S. consumers planning big-ticket purchases, including motor vehicles and houses, over the next six months despite higher prices and interest rates.
Vista Outdoor Appoints Co-CEOs Ahead of Split
As part of the previously announced plan to sell its ammo business to Czechoslovak Group and change the company’s name to Revelyst, Vista Outdoor, Inc. named Eric Nyman and Jason Vanderbrink as co-chief executive officers in a regulatory filing.
Newell Brands Adds New Board Member
Effective January 1, 2024, Anthony Terry, recently retired executive vice president and chief financial officer of Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp., will serve on the company’s Board of Directors.
ICSC Releases Post-Thanksgiving Weekend Survey Results
The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) reported the results of its post-Thanksgiving weekend survey*, which showed that over half of respondents (56 percent) noted that they shopped just as much or more than in the past, an increase of 6 percent from its 2022 survey.
German Retailer SportScheck Files for Insolvency; Frasers Exits Deal
UK-based Frasers Group plc, said it intends to work with the appointed preliminary insolvency administrator of SportScheck with a view to acquiring the SportScheck business/assets out of administration.
Bogner Opens Flagship Stores in NYC and LA
The Germany-based so-called “Ath-Luxury” brand that claims to effortlessly transition from the slopes to the city and beyond said it is building on the “resounding success” of its short-term and pop-up locations on both coasts. The stores officially opened their doors in November 2023.
