SGB Update Sportsmans
Rapala VMC Hires Regional Sales Manager for Eastern U.S., Sourth Central Territories
As the company’s new Regional Sales Manager, Pete Przepiora is focused on the Eastern U.S., Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, working with Rapala VMC’s retail partners and distributors.
Report: Footwear and Apparel Among Bright Spots for Weaker Store Traffic
“Categories like Apparel, Footwear, and Jewelry saw notable traffic increases on the Saturday following Black Friday, indicating that consumers are spreading out their purchases, revealing a shift in shopping behavior, with extended promotions allowing for more flexibility and reducing reliance on Black Friday.
NRF Reports Thanksgiving Weekend Shopper Numbers Fell Short of 2023 Comp Period
The five-day holiday weekend from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday saw an estimated 197.0 million shoppers, reportedly the second highest number in the NRF’s survey’s history after last year’s record of 200.4 million shoppers—exceeding its initial forecast of 183.4 million.
Thermore Appoints VP of Global Marketing and Communications
Laura Beachy has been appointed VP of global marketing and communications. She joins Thermore from Hyla Strategies, a NYC-based boutique marketing firm, where she served as a managing partner since 2014.
NSSF: NICS Background Checks Down 9.8 Percent for Thanksgiving Week
NSSF said it has worked with firearm retailers to spread out special sales offers to customers throughout the week leading up to Black Friday so as not to overwhelm FBI NICS on a single day, which can result in longer than normal wait times.
Academy Sports + Outdoors Opens Five New Stores to Finish Out 2024
New stores opened in Bradenton, FL; Yulee, FL; Searcy, AR; Meridian, MS; and Corsicana, TX. Overall, Academy continued its expansion in 2024 by opening 16 new stores during the year across ten states, including its first locations in Ohio.
Mastercard SpendingPulse: Black Friday Sales Grow 3.4 Percent; E-Commerce Up 15 Percent
The firm reported that their data indicated online retail (e-commerce) sales increased 14.6 percent, while In-store (brick & mortar) sales were up a more modest 0.7 percent, compared to Black Friday last year.
Akaso Appoints U.S. Director of Sales
Eric Squires will take on the role of director of sales for the U.S., overseeing all wholesale, professional and direct sales of the company’s action cameras, Seemor night vision goggles and accessories.
Xpedition Archery Taps Into Outtech Sales Services
The company said its exponential growth in 2024 required an expansion in sales coverage across the U.S. to meet customer demand and continue to fully service accounts.
Report: Black Friday In-Store Shopper Traffic Falls 8.2 Percent Year-over-Year
The brand’s ShopperTrak Analytics insights show that U.S. shopper visits were down 3.9 percent from November 24 through November 29, in line with the in-store traffic trends seen year-to-date (down 3.0 percent year-over-year).
Malibu Boats CEO to Assume President Role as Ritchie Anderson Plans Retirement
Company President Ritchie Anderson will retire effective February 7, 2025. Upon his retirement, company CEO Steve Menneto will become president of Malibu Boats, Inc., with Donna Tallent, SVP of operations, assuming leadership for MBI operations.
Ammo, Inc. Receives Nasdaq Deficiency Notice for Failure to File Q3 Results
The company said it now has until January 21, 2025, to submit a Plan to regain compliance with the Listing Rule. The company intends to timely submit the Plan, if necessary.
Wolverine Worldwide Work Group Appoints Mike Maloney Chief Product Officer
Maloney will spearhead product development, merchandise strategy and market expansion initiatives for all brands within the Work Group (Wolverine, CAT Footwear, Bates, Harley-Davidson Footwear, Merrell Work, and Hytest).
RVIA Survey Finds 21 Million Americans Plan to Travel by RV During the Holiday Season
The survey found that 21 million Americans plan to go RVing between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, with 9 million hitting the road for Thanksgiving and 7 million for Christmas.
BHA Welcomes Conservation Leader to North American Board
As a North American public lands advocacy group, Brandenburg’s appointment adds to the BHA’s Board of conservation leaders. He has a “critical boots on the ground” perspective developed when he was a volunteer and architect of BHA’s Arkansas chapter.
