EXECUTIVE CHANGES
+++ L.L.Bean, the 114-year-old Maine-based outdoor lifestyle retailer known for apparel, gear and catalog-to-omnichannel retailing, has appointed long-time executive and Chief Retail Officer Greg Elder as its next President and CEO, effective in early 2026
+++ New Balance has reshuffled its EMEA leadership by appointing former Frasers Group sports chief Ger Wright as VP of Sales and naming Lacoste veteran Oliver Kamp as Retail Director to drive growth across Europe
+++ Boyd Cycling named co-founder Nicole Johnson as CEO to lead the company’s expansion of US-based carbon and alloy wheel manufacturing, while co-founder Boyd Johnson shifted full-time to engineering and product development
+++ Joe Ward, Superdry’s longtime head of international retail and global retail support, is leaving the company after more than 18 years to become head of retail at Cornwall-based brand Finisterre from Jan. 14
+++ Pentland Brands has appointed longtime Speedo executive Joel Harris as President of the Americas, succeeding Joe Spies and tasking him with driving growth across brands like Berghaus, Endura and Mitre ahead of the LA 2028 Olympics
+++ The US-based Outdoor Foundation has appointed Ava Holliday as Development Operations Associate, bringing a decade of experience in environmental and climate-focused nonprofit operations to support its nationwide #ThriveOutside fundraising and access initiatives +++
LEGAL & INSTITUTIONAL
+++ Arc’teryx said it has no authorized stores or distributors in Indonesia and is challenging the opening of Arc’teryx-branded outlets there amid an ongoing trademark dispute with a China-based company that holds local rights under Indonesia’s first-to-file system +++
RETAIL & DISTRIBUTION
+++ Austrian brand Eska Gloves is now distributed in Italy by Panorama Diffusion
+++ Rapha is shutting its Manchester clubhouse on Jan. 18, with four more clubhouses in the US set to follow – Boulder, Chicago, Miami and Seattle
+++ RBC and Canadian Tire Corporation have launched a Canadian loyalty partnership that lets eligible RBC cardholders earn 3x Canadian Tire Money at banners such as Canadian Tire, SportChek and Mark’s by linking Avion Rewards with Triangle Rewards +++
PRODUCT & MARKETING
+++ UK-based running shoe brand Ronhill is expanding its trail running footwear line for SS26 with the updated Reverence 2 and the new, race-focused Reverence SL, both building on the proven durability of the original Reverence with lighter constructions, enhanced comfort and Michelin-developed grip and midsole technologies
+++ J.Crew has launched its first 26-piece lifestyle and performance collection with US Ski & Snowboard as part of a three-year partnership supporting athletes, fans and Olympic-season engagement across retail, campaigns and events
+++ Outdoor Research has launched a new Athlete Glove Team made up of elite ski and snowboard athletes who rely on the brand’s technical gloves and mitts across competition, freeride, filming and backcountry use
+++ Montane is introducing the Kamen Hoodie, a down jacket that combines a lightweight Pertex Quantum Diamond Fuse outer with innovative Allied Feather ExpeDry 800+ fill power goose down, designed for the most demanding technical ascents and severe environments
+++ Swiss cycling apparel specialist Assos has become the official technical apparel partner of EF Pro Cycling, effective Jan. 1, 2026, in a new multiyear agreement
+++ Norwegian wool specialist Aclima presented a winter apparel range built around functional merino wool, combining natural insulation, temperature regulation and technical performance for cold-weather activities and everyday use
+++ The high-tech, sustainability-focused Italian sports and outdoor brand UYN has added Bommas-PR and PR+Concepts as joint PR partners in the DACH area to support communications for its technically advanced apparel, footwear and sock collections across multiple sport and lifestyle categories
+++ Nalgene Outdoor has introduced its Thrill & Motion collection for 2026, expanding its iconic reusable bottles with six bold new colorways made from 50% recycled materials and produced in the US
+++ Pelican has launched the Aegis 25L Tactical Backpack, a limited-edition MultiCam model capped at 300 units, debuting at Shot Show 2026 in Las Vegas and designed for high-durability, modular gear protection
+++ JanSport has launched the Clutch Series, a new premium, heritage-inspired bag collection that combines classic automotive design cues with modern materials, craftsmanship and everyday functionality +++
CORPORATE AND M&A
+++ Anta Sports has reportedly made a financed offer to acquire the Pinault family’s 29% stake in Puma for more than €40 per share, valuing the holding at about €1.72 billion, though talks have stalled (read more in SGI Europe)
+++ Saks Global has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, little more than a year after acquiring Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman, as the combined retailer struggled with falling sales, strained supplier relations and mounting liquidity pressure +++
CSR & SUSTAINABILITY
+++ Vallon has partnered with CleanHub to continue its plastic cleanup program, committing to collect and recycle one kilogram of plastic waste for every pair of eyewear sold, with recovery efforts focused on a women-led project in coastal India +++
TRADE SHOWS & EVENTS
+++ Revelyst will present its tactical brands Blackhawk, Eagle Industries, Camelbak and Stone Glacier together for the first time under its Project Freedom initiative at the 2026 Shot Show in Las Vegas, showcasing integrated solutions for military, law enforcement and first responders
+++ At the Shot Show 2026 in Las Vegas, the IWA Pavilion will feature a record 23 exhibitors from eight countries on 352 sqm, showcasing international innovation and strengthening global industry collaboration +++
E-COMMERCE & DTC
+++ Klarna is rolling out a peer-to-peer payments feature across 13 European countries, allowing users to send money directly within its app as part of its strategy to evolve into a full-service banking platform and challenge traditional banks +++
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