RETAIL & DISTRIBUTION
+++ Coros, the brand specializing in GPS watches and training tools for endurance athletes, will be distributed in Italy by Nital SpA
+++ Dick’s Sporting Goods has closed all of US niche outdoor retailer Moosejaw’s stores and scaled back Public Lands as part of a broader reset of its outdoor strategy, signaling a willingness to retreat from underperforming concepts while refocusing capital on its core big-box business without materially impacting near-term earnings
+++ Swedish performance brand Craft Sportswear has opened its first flagship store in China at Shanghai’s Taikoo Hui, marking a key step in its Asian expansion as it also serves as official teamwear partner for Norway’s Winter Olympic and Paralympic teams +++
EXECUTIVE CHANGES
+++ The World Federation of Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) has appointed Alexandra Knezovich as Head of Global Public Affairs and Advocacy to strengthen the sector’s coordinated engagement with policymakers on sustainability, trade and labor issues worldwide
+++ Shimano announced planned changes to its Audit and Supervisory Board, with Masahiro Ohtake and Fuminori Mitera proposed as new members and Kiyoshi Tarutani and Toshihiko Hashimoto set to step down following approval at the company’s March 24, 2026, shareholders’ meeting
+++ Shimano UK has promoted Richard Maude, previously Sales and Marketing Manager, to Managing Director, to replace retiring Ian Latham
+++ Wiley X has promoted Cory Uehlein to VP of Marketing & Digital, tasking him with leading the company’s brand, digital strategy and customer engagement efforts to support continued growth
+++ Primus-Silva reported this week that Giorgia Moretti, born in Italy and based in Munich, joined its German sales team at the end of 2025 and now serves as Area Sales Manager Germany, bringing seven years of experience in bicycle retail and brand development +++
TRADE SHOWS & EVENTS
+++ The inaugural edition of hiking fair Paris Randos Nature, organized by GL Events at the Parc Floral in Paris from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2, 2026, drew nearly 8,200 visitors +++
FINANCIAL REPORTING
+++ French snow sports retailer Snowleader grew revenues 18 percent to €120 million in 2025, driven by strong outdoor product sales and international orders, while expanding its brick-and-mortar presence with a new Paris store
+++ Aluula Composites has launched a C$10.0 million “best efforts” brokered private placement led by Canaccord Genuity, selling 3.031 million units at C$3.30 (each with one share plus half a warrant exercisable at C$4.29 for 24 months), with proceeds earmarked mainly to expand manufacturing capacity via a new facility and for working capital, with closing targeted around Feb. 24, 2026 +++
MARKET STATISTICS
+++ A new Spanish government survey shows that 62.7 percent of adults are now physically active – up 5.4 percentage points since 2022 – driven by higher female participation and greater use of professional coaching – more details at SGI Europe +++
LEGAL & INSTITUTIONAL
+++ Shimano reports that a US court has granted final approval of a settlement related to bonded 11-speed Hollowtech II road cranksets sold in the US, adding that the financial impact on future business is expected to be immaterial +++
PRODUCT & MARKETING
+++ Royal Robbins won the inaugural CNN Underscored Innovation Award for its Amp Lite II shirt, recognized for delivering effective, chemical-free mosquito protection through fabric design rather than repellents
+++ Thule has signed a two-year agreement to become the headline sponsor of the UK’s Keswick Mountain Festival, starting with the 2026 edition running from May 15–17, expanding its presence and activations across the event
+++ Suunto has signed a two-year partnership to become the official timing and headphone partner of the Brighton Marathon Weekend and The Big Half in 2026 and 2027, aligning the deal with its 90th anniversary and growing focus on road running
+++ Scott has introduced the Kinabalu Trail shoe, featuring the newly developed Kinetic Fusion Foam midsole, for responsive cushioning, and a versatile traction outsole for steady footing
+++ Jetboil has expanded its Fast Boil lineup with new 1.8L Flash and Flash Java stove systems for groups, added a windscreen bundle and new colorways, and enhanced ignition and usability features across the range for Spring 2026
+++ US outdoor retailer L.L.Bean has selected Amperity’s Customer Data Cloud to unify and activate customer data across channels, aiming to modernize personalization, streamline workflows and strengthen loyalty through more targeted, real-time engagement +++
TRADE & SOURCING
+++ Maersk’s decision to cut around 1,000 jobs (approx. 15% of its headquarters workforce) reflects the increasing pressure caused by falling freight rates due to container overcapacity and the normalization of routes, pointing to a general strain on global shipping costs and supply chains, with implications for industrial logistics and foreign trade supply channels that rely on low-cost freight +++
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