EXECUTIVE CHANGES
+++ Amplid Snowboards has appointed industry veteran Olli Zettler as its new area representative for Austria to support its continued growth in the European market +++
PRODUCT
+++ Buff and the Surfrider Foundation have launched an ocean-inspired summer collection by artist Ian Ross, with proceeds supporting marine conservation efforts
+++ Igloo has launched a new customization program allowing customers to personalize its iconic Little Playmate cooler and select drinkware with their own designs
+++ US camping seat specialist Crazy Creek and Montana artist Rachel Pohl have launched a limited-edition Hex 2.0 chair series featuring Pohl’s signature landscapes in a three-part collaboration
+++ Tom Beckbe and Ducks Unlimited have launched a new US-made outdoor gear collection supporting wetland conservation, now available online and in Tom Beckbe stores
+++ Dometic has launched the Unrestricted Collection, a line of versatile cooler-meets-carry bags made from 100% recycled materials, designed for both everyday use and outdoor adventures +++
LEGAL & INSTITUTIONAL
+++ The German Retail Association (HDE) supports the Federal Council’s initiative to tighten consumer protection and liability rules for non-EU online platforms, aiming to level the playing field for European retailers +++
M&A
+++ EssilorLuxottica has signed an agreement to acquire PUcore’s optical division in South Korea, expanding its R&D and production capabilities for high index ophthalmic lens materials
+++ Amazon has confirmed the acquisition of AI wearables startup Bee, maker of a $50 conversation-recording wristband, as part of its broader AI and subscription revenue strategy +++
RETAIL
+++ Bass Pro Shops has been named America’s Best Outdoor Retailer for the fourth year in a row, based on a nationwide consumer survey by Statista and Newsweek
+++ Foot Locker is launching its updated FLX Rewards Program across Europe, offering enhanced benefits and streamlined features following its 2024 US debut, amid ongoing restructuring and a pending acquisition by Dick’s Sporting Goods
+++ Canadian outdoor brand Arc’teryx is set to open a new store this fall at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, Maryland, expanding its US retail presence
+++ California-based activewear brand Vuori is accelerating global growth with new store openings in Seoul and Beijing, aiming to surpass 100 stores worldwide by the end of 2025 and expand to 15 international locations by 2026
+++ Rose Bikes celebrates the 20th anniversary of its flagship Biketown store in Bocholt with a week of community events, highlighting its pioneering omnichannel retail concept and continued expansion in urban locations
+++ Rab Equipment is opening a significantly larger flagship store in Denver on Aug. 2, doubling its retail space and expanding community events and gear offerings +++
ADVENTURE TRAVEL
+++ Construction has begun on Surfers Cove, Portugal’s first Wavegarden Cove surf park, a €25 million project in Óbidos set to open in 2026 as part of a resort designed to offer consistent, high-quality waves year-round and elevate the region’s status in European surfing +++
CSR & SUSTAINABILITY
+++ Pakistani denim manufacturer Soorty has expanded its partnership with Swiss traceability firm Haelixa to provide forensic proof of recycled fiber origins, helping fashion brands meet growing regulatory and transparency demands in circular fashion +++
CORPORATE
+++ Asics is relocating its US East Coast headquarters to a smaller 4,063-sqm space in Boston’s Leather District, downsizing from its previous 5,574-sqm office +++
MARKETING
+++ HeyDude, a casual footwear brand owned by Crocs, has named singer Lewis Capaldi as the face of its new global “HeyDude Country” campaign, promoting comfort, authenticity and self-expression
+++ Alpinist Benjamin Védrines has rejoined French mountain gear brand Simond, part of Decathlon, to co-develop high-performance alpine equipment and attempt a new route on Jannu East (7,468 m) in September 2025 +++
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