Home / Eric Smith

Welcome

I'm a Colorado-based writer who specializes in business news, analysis and features from the outdoor and sporting goods industries. My current role is Senior Business Editor for SGB Media, a B2B trade publication that covers the active lifestyle marketplace (you can view my SGB oeuvre by clicking here).

Below you'll find my most recent work, or please visit my portfolio page for a more comprehensive look at my writing, including clips from SGB, past jobs and even a few side hustles. Also, be sure to connect with me on LinkedIn and follow on Twitter (feed is at the bottom of the page).

Cheers!

SGB Media • 13th September 2019

Outdoor Brands Reveal True Cost Of Tariffs

Representatives from outdoor brands NEMO Equipment Inc., VF Corp., Columbia Sportswear Co. and Nester Hosiery spoke Thursday about the wide-ranging impact that tariffs are having on their companies. The cost of the trade war, they said, extends far beyond a dollar amount and is taking a toll on hiring, expansion and, perhaps most worrisome, product innovation.

SGB Media • 10th September 2019

CamelBak Lands First REI Contract After Vista's Firearms Exit

CamelBak is officially coming back to REI Co-op. The hydration pack and bottle brand last week inked its first contract with the outdoor retail giant in more than a year and announced plans to scale up over the coming seasons with a full line of products on REI shelves by Spring 2021, according to CamelBak President Greg Williamson.

SGB Media • 5th September 2019

Clarus' John Walbrecht Talks 'Superfan' Brands With Investors

Clarus Corp. President John Walbrecht took his message about the company’s “superfan” brand strategy on the road this week when he presented at the 2019 Gateway Conference in San Francisco. Here’s what he shared about Clarus’ unwavering vision for its portfolio.

SGB Media • 4th September 2019

More On Camping World's Pivot Away From Outdoor Retail

Camping World Holdings Inc. has put outdoor retail in the proverbial rear-view mirror and set its sights on selling only recreational vehicles and accessories—even as the RV market sputters along. Now that the company has shed some light on its larger plan, those moves are just a hint of what’s to come.

SGB Media • 3rd September 2019

August M&A Roundup: Camping World, Accell Group, Nike and More

M&A heated up in the final full month of summer with several market-shifting transactions occurring in the active lifestyle space. August’s biggest moves included Camping World and Accell Group unloading non-core assets and Nike adding to its portfolio.

SGB Media • 30th August 2019

Six Takeaways From Paddlesports Retailer

SGB is back from the third annual Paddlesports Retailer show, held this week in Oklahoma City. We identified six takeaways from the event, including reaction to the format changes, why most paddlesports brands believe this show trumps Outdoor Retailer and the meaning behind one attendee’s description of demo day as “mayhem and awesome.”

SGB Media • 27th August 2019

SSL Bootfitting Academy Gives Specialty Ski Shops Jump On Winter

SGB dropped in on last week’s Elevated Bootfitting Academy, hosted by specialty retail buying group Sports Specialists Ltd. (SSL). The event brought together specialty ski shops and insole brands to share innovations and techniques in boot fitting—a customer service add-on that can elevate the specialty channel and the sport of skiing.

SGB Media • 26th August 2019

Paddlesports Retailer Riding Wave Of Momentum

The paddlesports community is uniting this week in Oklahoma City for the third annual Paddlesports Retailer (PSR), which showcases the latest paddling products while also connecting brands and buyers. On the eve of PSR, Charles Conner and Darren Bush spoke with SGB about changes in the event and the industry.

SGB Media • 23rd August 2019

'Growth Mode' At Exxel Outdoors Drives HQ Relocation

Exxel Outdoors—whose portfolio includes Sierra Designs, Kelty, Ultimate Direction, Slumberjack, Wenzel, X2O and others—is moving its headquarters to Broomfield, CO, from nearby Gunbarrel in the first quarter of 2020. CEO Harry Kazazian spoke with SGB about how “growth mode” across all Exxel brands drove the decision to relocate.

SGB Media • 21st August 2019

Outdoor Retailer, OIA Share Reasons For Show Consolidation

Marisa Nicholson, Outdoor Retailer show director, and Amy Roberts, OIA executive director, spoke with SGB Wednesday afternoon about their joint decision to cancel the upcoming Winter Market in November and instead wrap it into January’s Snow Show, reducing the outdoor industry’s premier event to twice a year. Here's what they said about the move.

SGB Media • 14th August 2019

Tariff Delay Full Of Sound And Fury, Signifying Nothing

Some apparel and footwear brands, along with a host of electronics companies, will see tariff hikes on their Chinese imports delayed until December 15 as President Trump hopes to keep the economy from tanking during the holidays. But the trade war rolls on with U.S businesses and consumers—including those in the sporting goods and outdoor industries—suffering the most.

SGB Media • 13th August 2019

Conversation With Outdoor Research President Michelle Wardian

Seattle, WA-based Outdoor Research recently opened a manufacturing facility in California to meet growing demand for tactical gear, primarily for military contracts. The company’s president, Michelle Wardian (center), spoke with SGB about the new plant and what else is happening at the longtime gear brand.

SGB Media • 12th August 2019

July M&A Roundup: Vail, Vista Make Market-Shifting Moves

July was a busy month for M&A in the active lifestyle space, with a number of companies either acquiring growth in hopes of expanding their empires or shedding assets to rightsize their portfolios. This month's M&A Roundup breaks down recent deals from Vail Resorts, Vista Outdoor and others.

SGB Media • 9th August 2019

Vista Outdoor Charts A New Course

Vista Outdoor Inc. CEO Chris Metz on Thursday cited a host of “challenging” headwinds that led to the company’s disappointing fiscal first-quarter performance. However, he also spent a lot of time on this week’s earnings call with analysts detailing how the executive team plans to revamp and revitalize the beleaguered Anoka, MN-based company and its brands, including CamelBak.

SGB Media • 9th August 2019

Jack Wolfskin Delivers For Callaway In Q2

Callaway Golf Co.’s $476 million acquisition of Jack Wolfskin, which was announced last fall and completed in January, raised plenty of eyebrows across the business world. But this newest asset paid off for Callaway in Q2 by delivering $48 million in sales, helping the company not only post a revenue beat in the period but also raise guidance for 2019.

SGB Media • 7th August 2019

Why Acushnet Considers Ski & Golf Apparel Brand Kjus A 'Great Fit'

Although Acushnet Holdings Corp.’s $28.7 million acquisition of premium ski and golf apparel brand Kjus didn’t happen until the third quarter, CEO David Maher spent plenty of time on Wednesday’s Q2 earnings call discussing the company’s vision for its newest asset. He also explained why Acushnet views Kjus as a "great fit."

SGB Media • 5th August 2019

Behind The Deal: 'Sky's The Limit' After Sherrill's Acquisition Of Sterling Rope

Tripp Wyckoff, president and CEO of Sherrill Inc., the Greensboro, NC-based distributor and retailer of arborist tools and climbing equipment, takes SGB behind the deal of the company’s recent acquisition of climbing rope manufacturer Sterling Rope Co. Inc. The company has big plans for its newest asset.

SGB Media • 2nd August 2019

Emerald Execs Talk Outdoor Retailer

Emerald Expositions Events Inc. continues to beat the drum about Outdoor Retailer's three-show cycle, which still has its doubters. During Thursday’s earnings call with analysts to discuss the company’s overall performance for the second quarter, Emerald’s recently appointed President and CEO Sally Shankland and CFO Phil Evans provided some color around the “cadence” of Outdoor Retailer.

SGB Media • 29th July 2019

RV Industry Hits Some Bumps In The Road

The recreational vehicle industry has hit several speed bumps lately: RV shipments were down double digits last month and some of the industry’s leading companies have seen earnings and shares take a hit from market softness. Also, the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) announced layoffs after scrapping its new trade show platform and it continues to look for a new president after Frank Hugelmeyer resigned.

SGB Media • 26th July 2019

Behind Columbia's 'Shift' Toward Footwear

Columbia’s Q2 earnings report was filled with facts and figures showing how strength throughout its portfolio, balance across its channels and continued margin improvement due to its Project Connect initiative drove record revenue and an earnings beat. But Tim Boyle, the company’s president and CEO, was even more excited about what’s coming in the second half of the year—an unprecedented focus on footwear.

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