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Four-legged “employees,” a trail town vibe, and an obsession with maps are some of the things that make this store unique
Smith discusses why Cotopaxi is so focused on poverty reduction, why the brand still uses Kickstarter, and where he wants Cotopaxi to be in ten years
Is it possible to get a better customer experience on a website than in a shop? Backcountry.com says yes
Technology is front and center for Terry Lee’s Amazon-focused retailer
Todd Frank, owner of The Trail Head in Missoula, Montana, breaks down his rough ride with Ibex and cautions other vendors to be careful courting direct customers
Gareth Martins, a board member of the Alaska Wilderness League, explains why the Refuge is in danger
At the gates of Yellowstone, this retailer has learned to embrace the non-local traveler, alongside the hometown expert
One lousy fit for Phil Oren turned into a revolutionary way of fitting shoes for all hardcore hikers
Out There Adventures founder Elyse Rylander has been working hard to bring more visibility to the queer community. Here are her suggestions to make your business more inclusive
Dave Polivy is using big-brand marketing to boost his small shop and get around an Amazon-induced downturn
U.S. Congressmen Jared Polis and Mike Simpson crossed party lines to start the House Outdoor Recreation Caucus. Here's why
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
Events, customer confidence, and beer foster a tight-knit community around this local retailer
NEMO founder Cam Brensinger spent three days working the sales floor at Sunlight Sports in Cody, Wyoming, to get back in touch with specialty outdoor retail. In this three-part series, Brensinger and Sunlight Sports owner, Wes Allen, will brainstorm on how specialty outdoor shops and brands can better collaborate and work together for the ultimate health of the outdoor industry
Outdoor Retailer hasn't said a word yet, but the Denver Post has confirmed the show will be moving to Colorado
This summer marks Outdoor Retailer’s 35 birthday. To celebrate, we unearthed 15 fun facts you probably never knew about our industry’s biggest show
Boutique Hors Circuits, in Saguenay, Quebec, Canada, has doubled sales for its sister adventure company since it opened two years ago
As consumer behavior changes, so do our marketing tactics. Journalist David Clucas and Rachel Kaylor, director of digital and social for Sweeney Marketing and Public Relations, share insights on current marketing trends in the outdoor world.
This rare family-owned specialty outdoor retail shop represents five generations of serving its local McCall, Idaho community
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
The newest member of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, Maine Sports Outfitters is one part specialty retailer and one part guide service. It’s a winning combination
Even outdoor gear shops can benefit from working with travel bloggers and influencers. Rachael Herrscher of Today's Mama and Social Boost explains how
Onion River, in Montpelier, Vermont, capitalized on a bad winter by selling fat bikes
Emerald Expositions started trading on the New York Stock Friday morning, with an opening price higher than expected
OUT There Adventures founder Elyse Rylander says we need to get beyond the stereotypical men and women design ideals
College entrepreneurs turned ski moguls blend web and in-store sales to give customers the best of both worlds
Backcountry Experience’s deep commitment to hardgoods and custom fitting sets them apart in retail-heavy Durango
In his first interview as Mountain Hardwear's new president, Joe Vernachio talks about the brand's relationship with retailers, diversity in the industry, and a renewed focus on climbing
It's the scrappiest of start-up stories: three twenty-something backpackers launched this Ohio shop seven years ago with big dreams, true grit, and 13 credit cards
In its filing documents, Emerald identified potential areas of growth, including creating or acquiring international events
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?
We visited Taos Mountain Outfitters to see how its new owners have turned the store around
Chopwood Mercantile is a tiny Colorado shop with a massive vision of what specialty outdoor retail could be
Next Adventure's new and used gear concept is a perfect fit for Portland
Partnering with an organization that helps underrepresented young adults find internships is surprisingly simple. And it's likely to be highly effective
Bill Amos, CEO of NW Alpine, explains why domestic manufacturing is more attainable than you might think, in spite of its challenges
Because nothing’s better than a cold beer after a mountain bike ride
Grassroots remains united with Outdoor Retailer and Outdoor Industry Association and withdraws its 2018 Connect show from Sandy, Utah
Dan Nordstrom, CEO of Outdoor Research, says the outdoor industry needs all hands on deck
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
Tom Barney shares ten “aha” moments from his first week working the sales floor at Backcountry Experience as part of The Retail Immersion Project
Your store doesn't have to close or falter when you retire. OBJ asked buyers, sellers, and financial experts for tips on passing the torch successfully
Bridging the gap between brands and shops by embedding C-level executives onto the sales floor, The Retail Immersion Project kicks off with Tom Barney and Durango, Colorado-based Backcountry Experience
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
The kind of behavior Donald Trump bragged and joked about is very real for women with wilderness jobs
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
Partnering with organizations, founder of Himalayan Stove Project, George Basch, is creating healthier living environments for families in Nepal
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
A trade show calendar packed full of large, small, and regional events has left many retailers, reps, and manufacturers strapped trying to figure out the best way to focus their resources. In response, Outdoor Retailer is releasing a new web-based survey that could result in (more) major changes to the big show's dates and format. So we asked exhibitors, retailers, and reps: What does the ideal trade show calendar look like for the industry? Can all the various shows remain relevant? How can attendees get the best return on investment? No surprise: It’s complicated
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,…
When Kickstarter was young, fresh, and newsworthy on its own, at the dawn of crowdfunding, Peak Design founder Peter Dering decided to take a chance. He was sick and tired of slinging his DSLR over his shoulder or neck while hiking, only to have it slam into his body at…
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…
As gear companies increase their direct-to-consumer sales, “pro deals” and “friends and family" promotions, retailers protest that they can’t compete. They’re being undercut and left holding the bag on inventory they can’t possibly sell at the same discounts. Todd Frank, owner of The Trail Head, an independent Missoula, Montana-based specialty outdoor retailer, says enough is enough. If vendors continue to offer these discounts and lure his customers away, he’ll stop doing business with them—and he calls on other retailers to join him
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
Can Beyond Surface solve the industry’s DWR problem? Find out why Patagonia is banking more than $1 million on it
The best formula for environmental-friendly practices and products is to make them profitable, says Patagonia's director of environmental strategies
Critics claim the industry's go-to water repellent needs a makeover. Brands race to find an eco-friendly, high-performance formula
As outdoor retail leader grows, it looks to maintain connection its with consumers. Can a larger REI also remain small and local?
Emerald Expositions group sales director, Marisa Nicholson, to replace Haroutunian as show director
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
OBJ talks to new Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario to find out where she sees the brand heading
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
Ted Manning tells OBJ his plans for Ibex, where he recently took the post of CEO