TRADE SHOWS & EVENTS
+++ On is bringing its global Squad Race format to Berlin on June 6, where 50 local running crews will compete in a relay race through the iconic Kant-Garagen parking structure for a chance to qualify for the global final in Los Angeles, highlighting community, inclusion and the brand’s “Real Energy” campaign
+++ The first edition of a new endurance event, the North Yorks Ultra Challenge, organized by Ultra Challenge, part of the Action Challenge group, will take place in Scarborough, on England’s North Sea coast, on June 20-21, 2026 +++
PRODUCT & MARKETING
+++ Italian wheel manufacturer Ursus has partnered with Dutch off-road cycling team KMC for the 2026 season, supplying its Proxima M and Proxima G wheelsets for mountain bike, gravel and beach racing competitions across national and international events
+++ Hunter has partnered with British paint brand Lick to launch “Green 170,” a limited-edition paint color inspired by the outdoor brand’s iconic Hunter Green shade and created to celebrate its 170th anniversary
+++ Specialized has become an official bike sponsor of this year’s Dalby Grit, the gravel race set within England’s Dalby Forest, scheduled for June 20-21, organized by Focal Events
+++ Coros Wearables has announced a new partnership with American professional mountaineer and photographer Jimmy Chin ++++++
CORPORATE AND M&A
+++ Amazon announced plans to invest more than €300m in France through three new logistics sites in Hauts-de-France and Centre-Val de Loire, creating over 1,500 permanent jobs and expanding its fulfillment and delivery network in the country
+++ UK cycling distributor Saddleback has ceased operations and laid off all 42 employees after years of financial losses and the recent loss of key distribution agreements with Cannondale and ENVE +++
RETAIL & DISTRIBUTION
+++ Arc’teryx will open its first brand store in Copenhagen on June 11, featuring the company’s latest product range, a ReBird Service Centre and a program of community events centered on outdoor culture and gear repair
+++ MSN.com reported that REI will – according to a Department of Labor filing – close its 3,250-sqm SoHo flagship store in New York City on July 23, resulting in 72 layoffs, as the outdoor retailer continues to face declining revenues following consecutive annual sales drops in 2023 and 2024
+++ Sports Direct has opened its first Nordic flagship store in Helsinki, underscoring Frasers Group’s expansion strategy in the region following its acquisition of Scandinavian sporting and outdoor goods retailer XXL, signaling its long-term commitment to the Nordic market
+++ SportsShoes.com has become a UK retail partner of Yeti, adding the outdoor brand’s coolers, drinkware and bags to its online assortment as it expands its offering for runners and outdoor enthusiasts
+++ Arket will open its third Stockholm store and fifth Swedish location on Stockholm’s premium shopping street Biblioteksgatan in late 2026, further expanding the H&M Group-owned lifestyle brand’s physical retail presence in its home market
+++ Timberland has appointed Danish distributor Vernon to manage its business across Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland beginning with the Spring/Summer 2027 collection, as the VF Corp.-owned brand seeks to expand its market share and accelerate growth in the Nordic region
+++ Kuiu has expanded its retail footprint in the western US with the opening of a new Denver-area store in Centennial, Colorado, offering its hunting, workwear and everyday apparel collections along with custom pack-fitting services and expert customer support +++
E-COMMERCE AND DTC
+++ Amazon will hold its four-day Prime Day event from June 23–26, 2026, with analysts forecasting strong sales growth as the company leverages its Alexa for Shopping AI tools to drive deal discovery and customer spending +++
LEGAL & INSTITUTIONAL
+++ CBC reported that Winnipeg-based Indigenous Nations Apparel has accused fast-fashion Giant Shein of copying more than 20 of its Indigenous-inspired designs and using the company’s imagery without permission to market alleged knockoff products online
+++ Patagonia is facing public backlash after suing drag performer and environmental activist Pattie Gonia (Wyn Wiley) for trademark infringement, arguing that her attempt to trademark the name for apparel and advocacy work could create brand confusion, while Wiley claims the lawsuit contradicts Patagonia’s environmental values and represents an attempt to silence an activist +++
CSR & SUSTAINABILITY
+++ Carhartt WIP has joined the ZDHC Roadmap to Zero Program as a Signatory Friend Brand, strengthening its sustainability strategy through standardized chemical management, supply chain transparency and industry-wide collaboration on safer production practices
+++ Hydro Flask and Universal Music Group (UMG) have launched a global partnership to reduce single-use beverage waste across UMG’s studios and artist programs through reusable hydration solutions, refill stations and co-branded products, with a goal of eliminating more than 10,000 disposable drinks in the first year +++
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