Columbia’s Chief Digital Information Officer Exits
Columbia said it would launch a search for Skip Potter’s replacement. In the interim, EVP and CFO Jim Swanson will oversee the company’s digital technology department.
SIA Appoints Four New Board Directors for 2025
Snowsports Industries America (SIA) appointed four outdoor industry veterans to its Board of Directors for 2025: Gary Fleming, Sergio Kiehl, Helmut Holzer, and Drew Saunder to bring a global perspective to the association.
Pvolve Set to Open Third Franchise Location in Connecticut
The company signed an agreement with Christine Friedman Partouche to bring two new studios to Fairfield County, CT, marking the company’s third franchise location in the state.
Topgolf Breaks Ground on Grand Prairie, TX Venue
The new venue is set to open in late 2025. This will be the 15th venue in Texas and the fifth in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex for the company.
Acon Investments Takes Controlling Stake in True Religion
Founded in 2002, True Religion has been a staple in the global denim and apparel industry for over decades. The company opened three new stores prior to Christmas 2024, bringing its total retail footprint in the U.S. to 51 doors.
Report: 2024 Holiday Online Spending Sets New Record; Sporting Goods Up Big
Strong discounts this season also drove consumers to purchase higher-ticket items in categories such as electronics, appliances and sporting goods. The share of units sold for the most expensive goods was up 54 percent in sporting goods.
G/Fore Appoints Suzy Biszantz as CEO
With over twenty-five years of brand leadership experience, Suzy Biszantz has worked in luxury, athletic, contemporary, and menswear apparel. Most recently, she was the group president at Centric Brands for its men’s and women’s platforms.
Former Ross Bicycles CEO Randy Ross Passes Away
When he led the brand, Ross Bicycles sponsored the first professional mountain bike race team, the Ross Indians. Ross also sponsored events that helped the sport develop in the 1980s, and the company’s bike line was one of the first mass-produced mountain bikes on the market.
NSSF: 2024 NICS Background Checks Fall Again to Lowest Level Since 2019
he 2024 level represents the fourth annual sequential decline after peaking during the 2020 election year and falling to a level below the 2016 election year.
Dr Martens Creative Director Darren Mckoy Exits Company
The designer’s announcement comes as company sales have declined and it prepares for new leadership. Ije Nwokorie is set to take the CEO role following the exit of former CEO Kenny Wilson, who said he would step down at the end of 2024. Nwokorie was, most recently, Dr. Martens’ chief brand officer.
Brixton Appoints Product and Merchandising Chief and Specialty Sales Director
The company has appointed Nadene Wisely as SVP of merchandising, design and development, and Sean Fleuriau as senior director of specialty sales for North America.
Kent Outdoors Appoints New Chief Financial Officer
Nate Romney is a senior executive with over 20 years of experience leading finance, accounting and operations departments and has a history of creating high valuation and building scalable processes and corporate structure.
Boa and 5.11 Parent Compass Diversified Starts Year with Board Shuffle
Gordon M. Burns will not be standing for re-election at the company’s 2025 annual shareholders meeting due to other commitments. Nancy B. Mahon has been appointed chair of the Board’s Nominating Committee, replacing Mr. Burns.
Newton Golf Company Appoints CFO
Ryan Stearns brings over two decades of financial expertise working in public and private sectors. His extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, capital funding and financial process optimization will “position him to make an immediate impact.”
Report: Holiday Retail Return Rate Jumps 28 Percent as U.S. Sales Reach $282B
Salesforce is reporting that the data in its system shows that holiday retail sales surged to a record $1.2 trillion globally and $282 billion in the United States, but high returns could dampen retailer overall profit margins.
