SGB Update Sportsmans
Axil Brands Sees Fiscal Q1 Sales Decline on Product Transition, Loss of Big-Box Order
Xcor II was announced in August, became available on September 15, and generated orders through September 30 across retail, distribution, and direct-to-consumer, the strongest early demand the company said it has seen for an Axil product.
ICSC Survey Sees Consumers Focusing on Value and Experiences this Holiday Season
The trade association human experience remains a core part of holiday shopping, and retailers that transform a simple errand into an outing or a memory are most likely to capture consumer dollars this season and beyond. Growth in sales is forecast between 4.3 percent and 4.9 percent this year.
Hults Bruk Expands Efforts in Canada with Direct Distribution
Swedish axe maker added direct wholesale distribution and Canadian warehousing, and appointed Northern Exposure Sporting Group as its national sales agency.
Watchtower Defense Opens New Texas Headquarters
The move to Tomball, Texas is said to be part of a transformation to build a new company focused on developing innovative, precision-engineered firearms and related products for today’s shooting, hunting and defense markets.
Steelhead Outdoors Moves to Larger HQ Space in MSP Area
A new 9,500 sq. ft. space in Shakopee, Minnesota, located southwest Minneapolis St. Paul, reportedly “more than doubles” the company’s working space.
Streamlight, Inc. Promotes Four to New Sales Leadership Roles
The company said the appointments are designed to strengthen the company’s sales organization, expand strategic partnerships, and support continued growth across its Law Enforcement, Sporting Goods, Federal/Military, and OEM markets.
NSSF-Adjusted NICS Background Checks Decline in August
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) reported that its NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure declined 2.3 percent year-over-year in September 2026 after seven consecutive months of gains.
American Outdoor Brands Sets $10M Stock Buyback Program
American Outdoor Brands, Inc.’s Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to $10 million of the company’s stock, commencing on October 1, 2026, and ending on September 30, 2027.
Ball and Buck Opens Store in Dallas
The Boston-based hunt and fish lifestyle brand plans to open a permanent store at the Inwood Village shopping center in Dallas, TX. It represents its second store after opening a location in Nashville this past August, with another location planned for Fort Worth next year.
Pradco Outdoor Brands Snaps Up Kent Outdoors
Company CEO Randy Hales will oversee the transition through 2026. Kent President CJ Vlahovich, who has more than 30 years of experience at the company, is expected to stay and lead the parent of the HO Sports, Hyperlite, Bote, O’Brien, Connelly, Liquid Force, Onyx, Full Throttle, Kent Safety Products, Aquaglide, FatSac, Barefoot International and Seipel Marine brands.
St. Croix Rod Promotes Ryan Teach to VP of Product and Marketing
St. Croix Rod, the family-owned fishing rod company based in Park Falls, WI, has promoted Ryan Teach to vice president of product and marketing, a new role. He joined St. Croix Rod in 2018 as factory store manager in 2018.
Kuiu Opens New Retail Store in Tempe, Arizona to Serve Desert Southwest
The company said the new Tempe store is expected to serve hunters preparing for pursuits across Arizona and the greater Southwest from “high-country mule deer and elk hunts to desert mule deer, Coues deer and everything in between.”
U.S. Consumer Confidence Sinks to Lowest Levels in 12 Years Amid Inflationary Concerns
The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index plunged to its lowest level since 2014 in September amid elevated concerns about high prices as well as uncertainty over labor market conditions. The latest reading came in well below the Dow Jones consensus forecast…
Columbia Sportswear Moves European Distribution Services to New French DC
The distribution center in Northern France is Columbia Sportswear’s primary distribution hub for continental Europe, supporting e-commerce fulfillment, retail replenishment and wholesale distribution.
Brunswick Corp. Continues Mining a Deep Bench for Internal Leadership Appointments
Effective January 1, 2027, Will Sangster is named EVP and president of Navico Group, Karly Yuds is named SVP and president of business acceleration, and Marco Bracalente is named chief technology officer.
