CORPORATE AND M&S
+++ Helly Hansen has opened a new regional headquarters in Barcelona to centralize operations across Spain, France, Italy, Portugal and Andorra, aiming to improve efficiency, strengthen coordination and support continued growth in Southern Europe
+++ eBay is closing its San Francisco office without layoffs as part of a broader strategic shift toward cost efficiency and growth areas such as fashion, peer-to-peer sales and resale, following earlier global job cuts and its acquisition of Depop +++
CSR & SUSTAINABILITY
+++ Salomon has launched a repair service for apparel and bags in France, in partnership with United Repair Center, with plans to expand across Europe in 2026 as part of its strategy to extend product lifespan and support circularity
+++ Vermont-based Renoun Skis has achieved Climate Label certification, reinforcing its commitment to verified climate accountability through transparent carbon measurement and reduction across its supply chain while continuing to position itself as a performance-driven, sustainability-focused ski brand
+++ British Cycling and Lloyds have launched the Lloyds ReCycle Hubs initiative across the UK to improve access to bicycles by refurbishing unused bikes and supporting community-led programs that address affordability and social inequality +++
PRODUCT & MARKETING
+++ Craft Sportswear has welcomed four new trail athletes to its run team: Matt Daniels (US), Geneviève Asselin-Demers (Canada), Wang Liping (China) and Yin Wenjing (China)
+++ Gretel Planner, a race strategy tool for mountain and trail runners, is partnering with the Malaysia Mountain Trail Festival (MMTF) to bring its race planning technology to Southeast Asia
+++ British outdoor brand Rab, part of Equip Outdoor Technologies, is launching an updated first layer collection for spring/summer 2026, designed for mountain people in warm conditions
+++ Craft Sportswear has added Matt Daniels (USA), Geneviève Asselin-Demers (Canada), Wang Liping and Yin Wenjing (both China) to its Elite Run Team, strengthening its global athlete roster and supporting product development through high-level performance testing +++
TRADE SHOWS & EVENTS
+++ Grassroots Outdoor Alliance reports strong and slightly increasing attendance for its 2026 Connect Show, with record participation at the Discovery Marketplace and growing engagement from both retailers and brands ahead of the June event in Reno, Nevada
+++ The Blue Earth Summit 2026 has announced its first wave of speakers and will take place Oct. 13–16 in London, bringing together founders, investors and leaders to foster collaboration and action around sustainability and the global transition +++
RETAIL & DISTRIBUTION
+++ Nemo Equipment has partnered with Storm Care Solutions as its exclusive US distributor, expanding access to PFAS-free cleaning and waterproofing products designed to extend gear lifespan and support more sustainable outdoor use
+++ Japanese outdoor brand Snow Peak has launched its third US store in Seattle, located at 3524 Stone Way
+++ According to a LinkedIn post, RevolutionRace has opened its third retail store (and its northernmost location) in Haparanda, Sweden, marking a further step in the brand’s physical retail expansion
+++ Asolo has appointed Chris Davison Agencies Ltd as its new sales partner for the UK and Ireland from May 1, 2026, as part of its strategy to strengthen its presence in key international markets +++
EXECUTIVE CHANGES
+++ Lenzing Group has announced the re-election of Patrick Lackenbucher as Chairman of the Supervisory Board
+++ The British Footwear Association has appointed Ian Cartwright, currently COO of Mahabis, as its new CEO, effective May 6, 2026, succeeding Richard Shetliffe and signaling a stronger focus on industry engagement and practical support for members +++
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