SGB Update Sportsmans

Report: U.S. Holiday Season Retail Sales at Low End of Forecast
U.S. retail sales, excluding automotive, increased 3.1 percent year-over-year this holiday season, according to a report from Mastercard SpendingPulse measuring the period from November 1 through December 24.

Happy Holidays From SGB Media
In observance of the Christmas holiday, SGB Media is taking time to be with family and will not publish the SGB Updates on December 25. Publishing will resume on December 26 with one Update newsletter daily through December 29.

American Outdoor Brands Names Chief Product Officer
The company promoted James Tayon to chief product officer. Tayon will continue to lead the company’s strategic product direction, including product innovation, design, development, and marketing.

Yeti Expands Board of Directors with Two New Additions
Rob Katz has acted as the executive chairperson of the Board at Vail Resorts, Inc. since 2021 after serving as CEO from 2006 to 2021. Beth Axelrod reportedly brings over 20 years of strategic human resources leadership and management development expertise to the Yeti Board.

Compass Diversified Receives $75.2 Million Equity Investment
The owner of Velocity Outdoor, BOA, Primaloft, 5.11, and other active lifestyle brands, reported that it had completed a private placement of approximately 3.6 million of its common shares to a mutual fund managed by Allspring Global Investments to raise $75.2 million.

U.S. Consumer Confidence Rises to 5-Month High in December
The Conference Board reported that its Consumer Confidence Index rose to 110.7 million in December, up from a downwardly revised 101.0 in November in an indication that concerns about a recession in the U.S. are lessening. The Index improved for the third consecutive month, reaching its highest level since July.

Winnebago May See Tough Year Ahead as Fiscal Q1 Backlogs Fall 54 Percent
A 20 percent decline in revenues for the fiscal first quarter ended November 25 was said to be primarily driven by lower unit sales related to market conditions, product mix, and higher discounts and allowances compared to the prior-year quarter, partially offset by carryover price increases related to higher motorized chassis costs.

PrimaLoft Promotes Cavassa to CEO, Joyce to Retire
Compass Diversified appointed Anne Cavassa as CEO of its subsidiary, PrimaLoft Inc., effective January 1, 2024. This move follows Cavassa’s recent appointment as president and as former president and CEO, Mike Joyce, steps into retirement at year end.

Pursuit Energy Forms Licensing Partnership with Prym1 Camo
Pursuit Energy, the maker of energy drinks, coffees and jerkies for the hunting enthusiast, entered into a licensing agreement with Prym1 Camo, a maker of camouflage patterns.

IKamper Bolsters U.S. Team with Three New Hires
The manufacturer of rooftop tents and gear expanded its U.S. team by adding Callie Pople, Kara Thrift and Matthew Kim.

GSM Outdoors Acquires Phenix Rods
GSM Outdoors reported it acquired Phenix Rods, marking the company’s entry into the fishing rod space.

Alpha Silencer Appoints New VP of Sales
Cody Bennion is expected to aggressively grow market share, revenue, distribution channels, and dealer satisfaction for the company’s titanium suppressors

Savage Arms Appoints New CEO as Al Kaspar Retires
Al Kasper, who has led the company for over a decade, will retire December 31, 2023. Chris Bezzina will take over as president and CEO effective December 31, 2023. Bezzina joined Savage in 2007.

Wolverine Transforming Saucony and Merrell Model in China; Sells Asia Leathers Business
Wolverine World Wide, Inc. said it plans to shift its Merrell and Saucony businesses in China from a joint venture model with with Xtep to a license and distribution rights model. It also agreed it sell its Asia-based Wolverine Leathers business. Both actions are expected to simplify Wolvderine’s business model and generate $70 million in proceeds.

Czech CSG Group Adds Italian Shotgun Maker to Portfolio
The global industrial-technology company that recently agreed to acquire Vista Outdoors’ ammo brands has purchased a majority percent stake in the Italian, family-owned Armi Perazzi S.p.A., manufacturer of high-quality shotguns for sport shooters and elite hunters.