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Nikwax heard the challenges of retailers and developed programs to boost sales
When several high-end brands joined—and then quickly defected from—Walmart’s Premium Outdoor Store, they resurrected the question “Who is the outdoors for?”
The CEO of the 50-year-old brand is strategically planning to keep it around for another half century
The North Face is betting big on its new FutureLight waterproof/breathable technology
The most coveted collab in the history of collabs isn’t even one you can pitch. You have to wait for it to come to you. But don’t worry, there are proven and profitable ways to partner with like-minded brands
How a garage-grown company grew to produce some of the finest technical apparel for worldly travelers
The premium cooler manufacturer cites rapid growth and loyal customers as reasons for its new filing
As vanlife and overlanding surge, serving an overlapping consumer has brought the outdoor and RV industries into increasingly similar territory
Tecnica’s unique custom-moldable footwear creates life-long customers for savvy brick-and-mortar shops
Outdoor industry leaders shine a light on the crux of the issue—that selling on the "cheapest retailer's" website changes consumer’s perception of brands, putting specialty retailers at risk
The North Face, JanSport, Eagle Creek, and Altra are moving to metro Denver, while VF's denim and outlet businesses will stay in North Carolina
The apparel company known for its funky prints and the iconic Strapcap will always stay focused on fun, but founder Barry Barr has learned a lot in a quarter century
From providing access to clean drinking water to cleaning up thousands of pounds of trash, these brands are making a difference
From limited-edition products to establishing a multi-lingual customer service team, the lightweight collapsible furniture brand is all grown up
Camp stoves were just the beginning for this tech company, which wants to improve off-grid lifestyles around the globe
Put your money where your heart is. If you like to play the stock market, and you believe in the economic strength of the outdoor industry, why not invest in one of these publicly traded outdoor companies?
According to the study, LifeStraw's single-stage and two-stage filtration systems remove the most
Ignoring the ecommerce behemoth isn’t an option anymore—but that doesn’t mean navigating this channel is easy
The brands are looking to introduce new categories and expand internationally
Customers still love brick-and-mortar retailers—so the smartest vendors make sure shoppers know where to get a premium touch-and-feel experience with their gear
Distributing too widely can spell trouble for a vendor’s brick-and-mortar strategy, but pairing up with the right retailers is a match made in sales heaven
What was it Abraham Lincoln said about a house divided? When a vendor’s internal channels compete, everybody loses—but when they work as a team, businesses thrive
Managing multiple distribution channels takes finesse, but the payoffs of maintaining a robust wholesale business are worth it
Learn how these young adventurers maintain legit careers while living the dream on the road and building their business
Terms of the definitive purchase agreement have not been disclosed
Everyone is talking about equality for women right now. But these five publications, podcasts, and blogs are doing more than chit chat—they're listening and propelling those conversations
The Denver Merchandise Mart is a quirky venue that's the perfect place for reps to attract buyers to spend time with their entire lines in a cool, creative atmosphere
Startups fueled by passion keep the outdoor industry moving forward. Meet a few launched by industry vets, core users, and garage inventors
It will sell through remaining inventory and asks fans to support some of its favorite causes
VF Corporation acquires Icebreaker, purveyor of New Zealand wool outdoor apparel
Four-legged “employees,” a trail town vibe, and an obsession with maps are some of the things that make this store unique
We got an early look at Salomon's Unique to Me custom footwear, made with groundbreaking robots in Annecy
After three days working the sales floor at Sunlight Sports, NEMO founder Cam Brensinger walks away with some insights on how brands can better support their retail partners and grow their own business in the process
What started out as a simple way to keep sleeping bags from rolling off pads has morphed into one of the biggest tent, bag, and pad sellers on the market
Emerald Expositions started trading on the New York Stock Friday morning, with an opening price higher than expected
Outdoor companies are benefitting from opening their own retail brand stores across the country. But is their move into brick-and-mortar good for independent specialty shops, too?
Retail giant Walmart has purchased Moosejaw Mountaineering for $51 million
Shelley and Andrew Dunbar, owners of Sea to Summit’s North American distribution, have purchased the Boulder, Colorado, outdoor shop out of bankruptcy, and plan to bring it back to its former glory days as one of the most beloved, iconic, and authentic outdoor shops in the country
A sneak peek at a few of the coolest apparel styles that are part of Salewa's new North American launch scheduled to hit stores in August 2017
Independent sales rep and owner of Top Gun Sales, Kurt Smith, explains the sacrifice and dedication it takes to become a respected sales rep
Amid competitive pressure and an attempt to diversify, Polartec is betting on a new, smaller scale manufacturing facility in Tennessee, leaving its union in Massachusetts behind. The pragmatic private equity approach is in stark contrast to the days that long-time employees remember, when former CEO Aaron Feuerstein led the company with his heart on his sleeve
Manufacturers put tons of effort into predicting buyers' whims when it comes to color. Here's how gear designers peer into the crystal ball
Tours aren't just for rock bands. With direct sales eating away at specialty shop sales, road shows featuring retail events offer a symbiotic solution
Tap into the adventure travel burst and market to frequent fliers with tips from the brands and retailers who do it best
As we celebrate 100 years of NPS, it only seems fitting to reflect on brands who are even older. Nearly a dozen sent us their best vintage photos
Black and brown people are conspicuously absent in our parks, forests, trails, and rivers, as well as in the aisles of our industry's trade shows and offices, says author James Mills. Here, he offers insights as to why it's vitally important to add more color to the natural world, and 5 things you can do to grow diversity
After a turbulent period of restructuring, layoffs, an attempted sale, and a major manufacturing shift, Black Diamond Equipment is refocusing on its core market
Stephan Aarstol’s appearance on ABC’s reality business show Shark Tank did not start out well. The founder of California-based Tower Paddle Boards found himself awkwardly silent after a problem with his slide show caused him to lose his train of thought. He swore. Kevin O’Leary, one of the “sharks,” as…
Women’s gear is niche no more. It’s hard to imagine a world in which women didn’t have access to outdoor gear that’s optimized for them. But that wasn’t always the case: ill-fitting apparel and hard goods were the norm for women as recently as 20 years ago, and even now,…
Hydro Flask announced Monday it will be acquired by homegoods giant Helen of Troy for roughly $210 million. Helen of Troy owns Dr. Scholl’s, Oxo, Revlon, Honeywell, and dozens of other consumer brands. Hydro Flask is based in Bend, Oregon, and is expected to have net sales revenue of $65…
Backcountry.com must pay a civil penalty for falsely marketing rayon products as “bamboo,” the Federal Trade Commission announced Wednesday. Backcountry.com LLC must pay $150,000 for continuing to break the law after receiving warnings from the FTC in 2010, according to a press release from the FTC. Other national retailers were…
It’s been a rollercoaster ride for Black Diamond Inc. (NYSE:BDE) and its public stockholders
New owner Vista Outdoor will add the hydration bottle, pack, and filter company to a collection of more than 30 outdoor and sporting goods brands
Partnering with TSG, Backcountry will expand into adjacent categories and international markets, as well as enhance marketing and brand building efforts
Among other things, Patagonia learned that some its suppliers in Taiwan were using labor brokers to bring in cheap, and potentially forced, migrant workers
As outdoor retail leader grows, it looks to maintain connection its with consumers. Can a larger REI also remain small and local?
More backpackers, fishers, and hunters are meeting up at camp, and increasingly using the same type of gear. What's the crossover potential?
OBJ has the inside scoop and first look at the new Toad & Co. with CEO and owner Gordon Seabury
Columbia Sportswear to pay $190 million for the yoga, climbing, and lifestyle brand to expand categories and better balance seasonality
Rue Mapp talks to us about how the outdoor industry can overcome some its diversity shortcomings
No decision has been made, but company officials told investors they are giving a serious look at retail stores to promote the brand and sales
In reporting its quarterly results Friday, Johnson Outdoors (Nasdaq:JOUT) revealed previously undisclosed financial details of its recent Jetboil acquisition
Another day, another acquisition in the outdoor industry. On Wednesday, Jetboil became the latest of more than a dozen outdoor brands to be scooped up this year. Find out how the brand fits in with its new owner Johnson Outdoors
Black Diamond lifted the veil on its closely guarded, initial line of apparel, giving its top dealers, investors and OBJ an exclusive first look at the products in Salt Lake City
Black Diamond Inc. continued in its acquisition mode, announcing plans Monday to acquire Austria-based Pieps, best known for its avalanche transceivers, probes, and other winter safety gear. OBJ has the first interview with Black Diamond CEO Peter Metcalf, plus details on why winter safety is a top bright spot for the wintersports market
How to pronounce Nau, Teva, Mammut and 14 other commonly butchered outdoor company and brand names
OBJ has the exclusive first look at Stio, a new outdoor apparel brand being launched by Cloudveil founder Stephen Sullivan this fall
The parent company of Black Diamond and Gregory Mountain Products added protective gear brand Poc Sports to its team Thursday, acquiring the Swedish business for about $43.5 million. Black Diamond Inc. CEO Peter Metcalf talked first to OBJ about the deal
PrimaLoft will become its own independent company as its parent firm Albany International has agreed to sell the insulation brand for $38 million to its current management team in partnership with Prudential Capital Partners. Michael Joyce is the new company's president and CEO