SGB Update Outdoor
Leatt Makes Key Hires To Drive MTB Growth
Leatt Corp. hired two key industry professionals, Bastian Dietz and Dain Zaffke, to propel its mountain biking (MTB) market growth. Dietz was hired as international marketing manager, MTB, focused on growing the company’s international MTB presence, and Zaffke will focus on the U.S. MTB market as VP of sales and marketing.
RV Industry Association Elects Three to Board of Directors
Nine candidates were running to fill the three open Board seats in 2023. From that pool, the successful candidates for one RV Manufacturer seat, one Park Model RV Manufacturer seat, and one Supplier seat were elected.
Völkl Names Global Brand Business Director
Völkl promoted Markus Knipschild to global brand business director, a new position, responsible for the strategic direction of the brand.
Grundéns Appoints General Manager EMEA
Grundéns hired Janne Mahlamäki as general manager for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. He was a former executive at Rapala and Jack Wolfskin.
Canada Goose Product Chief, APAC Head Depart as Company Adds to Board, Hires CTO
The company said Chief Product Officer Woody Blackford and APAC President Paul Cadman have both departed. Josh Bekenstein also made the decision to resign from the Board. Canada Goose hired a new CTO and added two new members to its Board, effective immediately.
Liberated Adds Billabong, RVCA and Honolua to Licensee Portfolio
ABG entered into a new long-term agreement with Liberated Brands to be the retail and e-commerce operator for its newly acquired brands Quiksilver, Billabong, Roxy, RVCA, Honolua and Boardriders in the U.S. and Canada.
Amazon Faces Antitrust Lawsuit from FTC, U.S. States
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and a bipartisan coalition of 17 state attorneys general sued Amazon over violations of anti-competitive behavior. The lawsuit alleges the e-commerce giant’s practices are anti-competitive in how it serves shoppers as well as third-party sellers on the site.
NRF Report Finds Crime Cost Retailers $112 Billion in 2022
According to the 2023 National Retail Security Survey* published by the National Retail Federation (NRF), retailers have seen a dramatic rise in theft-related financial losses, with shrink accounted for $112.1 billion in losses, up from $93.9 billion in 2021.
Costco’s Q4 Profits Climb 15 Percent
Costco Wholesale Corp. reported earnings rose 15.4 percent in its fiscal fourth quarter ended September 3 as sales gained 9.4 percent. Same-store sales in the U.S., excluding the impact of gas prices, were up 3.1 percent.
U.S. Consumer Confidence Slides to Four Month Low
The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index dropped to a four-month low in September, weighed down by rising interest rates, still-high inflation and a stalemate over the federal budget in Washington.
American Outdoor Brands Secures Patent Settlement Agreement
American Outdoor Brands, Inc. announced it has secured a settlement with The Allen Company, Inc. related to Allen’s infringement of AOB’s patent rights.
Target Closing Nine Stores in Four Markets Due to Theft, Safety Concerns
Target said in a statement it is closing nine stores in four states, including one in East Harlem, NY, three in San Francisco, two in Portland, OR and two in Seattle, WA, suggesting that theft and organized retail crime have threatened the safety of its employees and customers.
Nordstrom To Open Another Rack Store in New York
The 24,000-square-foot Bay Shore store will be located on the South Shore of Long Island at the Gardiner Manor Mall with other retailers, including HomeGoods, Barnes & Noble, Michaels, and Old Navy.
Bote Opens Sixth Florida Retail Store
The brand opened its newest store in Jacksonville, FL, joining other Florida shops in Destin, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Walton Beach, Grayton Beach, and St. Petersburg.
Project Bike Tech Hires New ED; Mercedes Ross Transitions
PBT hired Jeff Donaldson as its new executive director, replacing Mercedes Ross, who held the position for eight years, and is transitioning into a new role with PBT as “director of awesome.”
