Keep up by reading Industry Buzz. Here are today's top headlines: Have a news tip? Email us at [email protected] To #OptOutside isn't enough, REI's CEO says. For the fifth time this Black Friday, REI Co-op will close all its stores, process no online payments and pay all ...read more
When I enter the nearly 25,000-square-foot space of REI’s new North Conway store, it feels slightly different and familiar all at once. My eyes search the room for the recognizable features I’ve come to expect in my dozens of visits to REI stores. Displays of small outdoor ...read more
Keep up by reading Industry Buzz. Here are today's top headlines: Have a news tip? Email us at [email protected] Recall: Trek recalled more than 13,000 toddler "Kickster" bikes built in the last seven years. A faulty steer tube clamp causes the handlebars to fall off. Trek ...read more
Keep up by reading Industry Buzz. Here are today's top headlines: Have a news tip? Email us at [email protected] Outdoor industry conference: Western North Carolina's Outdoor Gear Builders Association announced the second annual Outdoor Economy Conference in Western North ...read more
Justine Barone started Gearo after a failed attempt to find a place for her and her husband to rent paddleboards for a day-trip. Having faced this problem several times, she dug a little deeper and discovered that while many specialty shops offer rental programs, they struggle ...read more
If you were hanging from the edge of a cliff, a new business venture would probably not be at the top of your mind. But for Craig Payne—founder of Hustle Bike Labs and creator of the REM Pedal—it was a relevant thought. The mountain biker was enjoying a ride when he hit a boulder ...read more
While hauling his luggage out the door, Eric Derflinger ticks off each item from his mental packing list. Jackets, pants, and gloves? Check, check, check. Skis and poles? A split second of panic, then he remembers he’s renting this time around. Old habits are hard to break. A ...read more
Keep up by reading Industry Buzz. Here are today's top headlines: Have a news tip? Email us at [email protected]. A Denver woman is launching a new outdoor gear rental site in April. The startup—Gearo—will connect renters with retailers, who can use the business to manage ...read more
Keep up by reading Industry Buzz. Here are today's top headlines: Have a news tip? Email us at [email protected]. If you haven't heard of Pattie Gonia by now, you're missing out. This backpacking drag queen is promoting inclusivity in the outdoors and rocking 6-inch heels. ...read more
Standing out as a gear retailer in Denver, Colorado, is not easy. The capital of the Rockies is saturated with gear shops, from Goliaths like REI to all kinds of Davids—independent specialty retailers of bike, climb, paddle and ski gear. And yet, Outdoors Geek stands out. As a ...read more
You get to keep the money and the inventory? In theory alone, the rental business seems like a pretty good gig, but here’s some news to sweeten the deal: rentals were up nearly 300,000 units and over $16 million in the 2015/16 season, bringing total revenue to $238 million. ...read more
