SGB Update Outdoor

Headwinds Put a Hurt on Western U.S. Ski Resorts Again in December
Consumer optimism could not offset the challenges presented by meager snowfall, school holidays that started nearly a week later than usual and ongoing resistance to near historically high daily rates at Western mountain destinations.

Livsn Designs Hires Product Manager/Head of Sustainability
Abby Hollis steps into the newly created for the outdoor apparel company.

General RV Center Acquires Independence RV Center
Independence RV was founded in 1985 by Ronnie Jordan at a one-acre leased facility in Orlando, FL. Four years later, he relocated the dealership to the city of Winter Garden where it operates today.

Event Fabrics Hires New Product Manager
Evelyn Yang is responsible for enhancing the company’s product strategy, new product introductions, product life cycle, pricing, and customer support.

Academy Sports and Outdoors Appoints Chief Customer Officer
In his role as EVP and chief customer officer Chad Fox will oversee omni-channel, marketing, customer insights, and customer care. Fox joined Academy this month and reports directly to Steve Lawrence, CEO of the company.

Mustang Survival and Parent Company Add Veteran Outdoor Senior Leadership
Mustang Survival has appointed outdoor industry veteran Kenny Ballard as its new president and Lance Richardson, an expert in domestic manufacturing and efficiency, as VP, manufacturing and innovation for the Wing Group, Mustang Survival’s parent company.

Lululemon appoints Global Creative Director + VP Design/Outwear
Lululemon announced that Jonathan Cheung was named Global Creative Director, and that JJ Collier joined Lululemon’s Global Design team in the newly created role of VP Design, Outerwear, reporting to Cheung.

Camping World Set to Acquire Three Minnesota Locations
The company is set to acquire Roth RV, with locations in Bemidji, Grand Rapids and Deerwood, MN. The transaction is anticipated to close in the second quarter of 2024

Equip Outdoor Technologies Appoints New CEO
The former President of the Berghaus brand and founder and director of Outdoor Gear for Good succeeds Matt Gowar.

La Sportiva Opens First Retail Store in the U.S.
The Boulder, CO store is reportedly part of La Sportiva’s global brick-and-mortar strategy that “aims to further integrate the brand into mountain towns worldwide.”

NRF Foundation Adds Four Board Members
The new members from Gap, Inc., Dick’s Sporting Goods, Goodwill Industries, and Burlington Stores were elected during the organization’s winter board meeting in New York City, ahead of NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show and the NRF Foundation Honors.

Krimson Klover Hires Industry Vet as Director of Sales
Susie Wagner comes to the company with over 20 years of experience in the outdoor and lifestyle apparel industry, having led sales teams for Spyder, Under Armour, and Kari Traa.

Under Armour Appoints New Americas President and Chief Product Officer
The company appointed Yassine Saidi as chief product officer and Kara Trent as president of the Americas. Both will report to company President and CEO Stephanie Linnartz.

Mondraker Opening U.S. Office; Appoints GM
The Mondraker USA team, led by long-time bike and triathlon industry vet Chris Bogue as general manager, includes Eric Richter, marketing director; Michael Kowalski, senior manager, customer service and sales operations; and Shane Hensley, manager, technical service.

TSG Consumer Partners Promote Five with Ties to Active Lifestyle Brands
The employees who were promoted have worked with companies in the active lifestyle industry, including Backcountry, Nuun, Canyon Bicycles, CorePower Yoga, Sunshine Fitness, and others.