SNEWS

Asolo's changing of the guard: Asolo ends one era and begins another as industry veteran and longtime U.S. general manager Bruce Franks retires, handing the reins to Bill Lockwood, who will assume full control after the 2020 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market. Filling Jake Burton's ...read more

Coronavirus: The worrisome virus has migrated to a ski chalet in Haute-Savoie, France, after skiers there were exposed to a man who recently visited Singapore. [Gear Junkie] Moving on: Livestrong has undertaken a top-to-bottom rebrand, ditching the iconic yellow wristbands of ...read more

At this year's Outdoor Retailer Snow Show, SNEWS and The Voice hosted a trivia night that brought dozens of outdoor geeks together to test their knowledge of obscure and entertaining industry factoids. Held at Earl’s Kitchen + Bar in downtown Denver, the event was full of melding ...read more

Whether it's for environmental reasons or because nobody likes constantly  slathering sunscreen all over their body and hands when adventuring, more and more people are discovering sun-protective clothing, and outdoor retail shop employees can help even more. With SNEWS’ Retail ...read more

Challenging the narrative: A new exposé from National Geographic attacks the much-hyped and exhaustively publicized story of Colin O’Brady’s 2018 solo ski journey across Antarctica. [Adventure Journal] In memoriam: James "Jim" Lewis Throneburg, founder of the sock company Thorlos ...read more

Here are today's top headlines: Danish innovation: Architect Bjarke Ingels has designed an enormous, whimsical, completely unique synthetic ski slope atop a waste-to-energy plant in Copenhagen. [Outside Online] New record: With the help of groups like the North Carolina Outdoor ...read more

Here are today's top headlines: Inclusivity win: Eddie Bauer has rolled out a new program called All Outside that partners with community leaders and activists to promote outdoor accessibility for everyone, especially those underrepresented in the space. Hickenlooper’s efforts: ...read more

At this year's Outdoor Retailer Snow Show, SNEWS and The Voice hosted a trivia night that brought dozens of outdoor geeks together to test their knowledge of obscure and entertaining industry factoids. Held at Earl’s Kitchen + Bar in downtown Denver, the event was full of melding ...read more

Whether they’re used to help reduce knee pain while hiking downhill, add balance while trekking, or to pitch an ultralight tent, trekking poles can be a great addition to a hiker’s gear closet. But there’s more to the category than ensuring he has the right length pole. With ...read more

Murder at Timberland: A 20-year-old security guard was charged with the murder of a female Timberland employee at the company's New Hampshire headquarters on Monday. Job alert: The Conservation Alliance is hiring a Government Affairs Director and a Communications Manager. The ...read more

Here are today's top headlines: New leadership: OIA has concluded its six-month search for an executive director and named Lise Aangeenbrug as the new head of the organization. Aangeenbrug will transition from her role as head of the Outdoor Foundation, the OIA’s philanthropic ...read more

The anti-plastic warriors were out in force at last week’s Outdoor Retailer Snow Show. Exhibiting members of the Plastic Impact Alliance, a coalition of more than 350 outdoor companies working to eliminate the industry's dependence on single-use plastic, displayed PIA signage at ...read more

Most avid outdoor adventurers know to leave the cotton at home during any aerobic activity. Yet there are tons of people who wear what they have, not knowing the benefits of a T-shirt made from a technical fabric like wool or polyester. It’s time to enlighten them. With SNEWS’ ...read more

Here are today's top headlines. That’s a wrap: Voting closes today for our 2020 #CoolShop Award, with an announcement of the winner coming this Friday. The shop with the most votes from our list of 15 finalists will win $500 to throw a staff appreciation party, a custom banner ...read more

Last week, the 2020 Outdoor Retailer Snow Show brought thousands of vendors, retail buyers, athletes, journalists, and nonprofit professionals together in Denver to get up close and personal with the newest and most important developments in our industry. Over three days, ...read more

Hope you're all recovering from the show. Here are the headlines to get your week started. Calling all leaders: The OIA Board of Directors has released a call for nominations of new board members. The organization is seeking up to four directors and has made clear that it wants ...read more

"No, we can't move." By Kay Martin, CEO of BOCO Gear BOCO Gear has a unique business model: We offer customized, high-quality performance headwear delivered within 35 days, for as few as 35 units at a time. We made this happen through an exclusive agreement with our factory ...read more

Here are today's top headlines: Have a news tip? Email us at snewsedit@aimmedia.com. Stay up to date and get Industry Buzz delivered to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter. Have you met our new editor? Andrew Weaver joins the SNEWS staff. rygr expands staff and client ...read more

Keep up with all the important outdoor news by reading Industry Buzz. Here are today's top headlines: Have a news tip? Email us at snewsedit@aimmedia.com. Stay up to date and get Industry Buzz delivered to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter. New blood at Camber: Meet ...read more

We’re proud to introduce Andrew Weaver, our new associate editor here at SNEWS. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Andrew transitions to SNEWS from the editorial department of a city magazine in Denver, where he worked for three years covering travel, culture, outdoor sports, and ...read more

Back in early December, we broke the news of a new trade show in town: The Big Gear Show is scheduled to stage in Salt Lake City next summer, just a few weeks following Outdoor Retailer. The founders, Sutton Bacon and Darren Bush, call it a show "for retailers, by retailers" and ...read more

Durango, Colo. (January 21, 2020) – The Channel Mastery Podcast announces that SNEWS will be the co-presenting sponsor, along with Verde Brand Communications, for specific monthly episodes created just for specialty business and brand leaders in the active outdoor lifestyle ...read more

Where and how people shop is a perpetually hot topic around here, and with good reason: It defines the very core of our industry and illustrates some of our biggest challenges. (That's why the big cover store in Issue #3 of The Voice dives deep into the "Big A" with lots of ...read more

Appoint a sustainability captain. Exhibiting brands should have one person in charge of communicating, facilitating, and driving sustainability efforts within your teams, which includes all of the below points. Get your Plastic Impact Alliance signage! All PIA member exhibitors: ...read more

Keep up by reading Industry Buzz. Here are today's top headlines: Have a news tip? Email us at snewsedit@aimmedia.com. Hot off the press: The fall/winter issue of The Voice is here. Check out the digital version here or grab one in the flesh at the upcoming OR (in the magazine ...read more

“The best outdoor trade magazine…ever.” “Must-read for anyone in the outdoor industry.” “The Voice fearlessly tackles all of the outdoor industry’s biggest, most complicated topics.” These are just some of the comments that have rolled in about issue #1 and issue #2 of The ...read more

Keep up by reading Industry Buzz. Here are today's top headlines: Have a news tip? Email us at snewsedit@aimmedia.com. A royal order: The Queen of England is tired of single-use plastic and recently banned its use at all Royal estates. Plastic straws are being phased out. ...read more

Keep up by reading Industry Buzz. Here are today's top headlines: Have a news tip? Email us at snewsedit@aimmedia.com. LEKI turned 30 this week: VP Greg Wozer sent us this note with a glimpse into the company's humble beginnings: "It was 30 years ago today (January 9, 1990) about ...read more

Hot New Products are written by the company and edited for space and clarity. They do not express the opinions of SNEWS or its editors. Pitched by Ball and Buck: On Dec. 6, we launched a signature ski in collaboration with Parlor Custom Skis, the largest ski manufacturer in New ...read more

Keep up by reading Industry Buzz. Here are today's top headlines: Have a news tip? Email us at snewsedit@aimmedia.com. Huge win for climbing: Access Fund helped get Hell’s Kitchen bouldering area outside Chattanooga, Tennessee permanently protected as part of Cumberland Trail ...read more

'Tis the season for passive email promotions. We're working on a story about how email promotions impact specialty retailers during the holiday season. Your answer will help inform our story. So spill the beans. Want to share more? Comment below or email us at ...read more

Keep up by reading Industry Buzz. Here are today's top headlines: Have a news tip? Email us at snewsedit@aimmedia.com. Attention Plastic Impact Alliance members: If you're exhibiting at Outdoor Retailer, please click here to get your PIA booth signage. We'll deliver it at the ...read more

Nobody wants to be bothered by mosquitoes, flies, no-see-ums, or any other bug while trying to enjoy nature. But more and more people are steering clear of chemical bug repellents like DEET. That’s why bug-repellent clothing can be a great alternative for consumers looking to ...read more

Happy New Year SNEWS fans! We hope you all had time to unplug and recharge over the holidays (like us). Let’s get you caught up on what’s transpired over the last week or so. Big congrats to Alex Honnold and Sanni McCandless, who got engaged this Christmas. Same goes for ...read more

Mummy, rectangular, ultralight, synthetic, down, water-repellent down, full zip, no zip, and the list of sleeping bag options continues. It’s no wonder why customers’ heads spin when starting a sleeping bag search, which poses a substantial opportunity to connect with your shop. ...read more

From wide- and narrow-mouth, and plastic or stainless steel, to insulated or not, there are so many options when it comes to water bottles. And, often, there’s a paralysis of choice when it comes to customers trying to find a new one. With SNEWS’ Retail College: How to Sell Water ...read more

Keep up by reading Industry Buzz. Here are today's top headlines: Have a news tip? Email us at snewsedit@aimmedia.com. Last-minute gift idea: A board game about visiting America's National Parks is this GQ writer's favorite game. Questioning cashmere: Patagonia is one of two ...read more

Hot New Products are written by the company and edited for space and clarity. They do not express the opinions of SNEWS or its editors. One Eleven and VSSL have created the ultimate field survival kit inspired by their love of getting lost in the outdoors and celebrating those ...read more

The last thing you (or your customers) want is to get a water-borne illness during or after a great adventure, so understanding the various types of backcountry water treatment devices critical. With SNEWS’ Retail College: How to Sell Water Treatment online course, sales ...read more

Keep up by reading Industry Buzz. Here are today's top headlines: Have a news tip? Email us at snewsedit@aimmedia.com. Outdoor Trivia Night with SNEWS and The Voice: Join us on Jan. 29 (Day 1) of Outdoor + Snow Show from 6 to 8 p.m. at Earl's Kitchen + Bar in Denver, Colorado. ...read more

Selling sports bras can be thought of as a women-only sell, but it doesn’t have to be a mythological category in an outdoor shop that some floor warriors shy away from. With SNEWS’ Retail College: How to Sell Sports Bras online course, sales associates will dive into the ...read more

If you're like us, backpacks, jackets, hiking boots, camping gear, climbing gear, ski gear, and more are spilling out of your gear closet. And every piece has its purpose—and a unique name. In this edition of Outdoor Industry IQ, select the brand that made the named product. And ...read more

Regardless of where your store is located, there’s huge potential to make selling insulating layers a thriving category. Whether it’s a lightweight jacket for getting groceries or walking the dog when the temps dip to an expedition-weight down suit and everything in between, ...read more

Almost every adventure starts with a backpack, making it one of the key categories in any retail shop. And selling packs successfully (and responsibly) requires deep technical knowledge of features, fitting, and use. Our free online course will help any sales associate—seasoned ...read more

Keep up by reading Industry Buzz. Here are today's top headlines: Have a news tip? Email us at snewsedit@aimmedia.com. Mammut is for sale: Conzetta, a Swiss holding company with Mammut Sports Group AG in its portfolio, is making a major pivot to focus on its global sheet metal ...read more

Keep up by reading Industry Buzz. Here are today's top headlines: Have a news tip? Email us at snewsedit@aimmedia.com. OREC: Minnesota scored an outdoor recreation task force. Poler is back: With the relaunch of the brand and opening of its flagship store in Portland, Oregon, ...read more

Hot New Products are written by the company and edited for space and clarity. They do not express the opinions of SNEWS or its editors. Pitched by Glade Founder Curt Nichols:  We designed the Tenmile Helmet as an antidote to the monotone, mass-produced protection seen on ski ...read more