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 • 16th June 2019

Moosejaw Not Impacted By Walmart–Jet.com Consolidation

The big news out of Walmart this week that the retail behemoth is wrapping its Jet.com operations into Walmart.com raised questions about the impact on e-commerce at its outdoor outfitter, Moosejaw. But everything will be business as usual at the outdoor retailer that Walmart bought in 2017 for $51 million, a company PR rep told SGB Executive on Thursday.

SGB Media • 11th June 2019

‘Trump Slump’ Takes Down Another Firearms Company

Firearms distributor United Sporting Cos. expected Hillary Clinton to win the 2016 presidential election, so it boosted inventories in preparation for the certain rush of gun purchases. But that miscalculation led USC to become the latest victim of the “Trump Slump”—a term used to describe how the current firearms-friendly presidency has quelled concerns over gun rights and stunted sales.

SGB Media • 7th June 2019

Impactful Partnership: Outdoor Retailer, Nalgene Tackle Show Plastic

"It was just the right thing to do.” Outdoor Retailer's Marisa Nicholson and Nalgene Outdoor's Elissa McGee take SGB behind their companies' initiative to eliminate the sale of single-use plastic bottles at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market and distribute 25,000 reusable bottles to attendees.

SGB Media • 6th June 2019

RIA Kick Show Shines Light On Run Specialty Channel

The Running Industry Association’s inaugural Kick Show in Denver, CO, drew acclaim from exhibiting brands and attending retailers alike. The event gave them an opportunity to showcase not only their products or their stores, but the importance of the run specialty channel for the industry.

SGB Media • 5th June 2019

Conversation With RIA Executive Director Terry Schalow

Terry Schalow, executive director of the Running Industry Association, sat down with SGB Executive at this week’s inaugural Kick Show in Denver, CO, where he dished on the origins of, and need for, this new running industry event as well as the health of the run specialty channel.

SGB Media • 3rd June 2019

May M&A Roundup: Snipes, Life Fitness And Elan Headline Busy Month

May was busy for M&A in the active lifestyle space, headlined by a European lifestyle retailer entering the U.S. market through a timely acquisition and private equity firms purchasing a well-known fitness equipment company and longtime ski maker.

SGB Media • 24th May 2019

Hibbett’s Digital Efforts Gaining Traction

For a company that admittedly was “late to the ballgame” with implementing all the digital capabilities a retailer should offer its customers in today's competitive landscape, Hibbett Sports Inc. has certainly made up for lost time. And the company showcased some of its recent digital advances during a stellar first quarter that topped revenue and earnings expectations.

SGB Media • 22nd May 2019

‘New’ VF Corp. Emerging After Transformative Year

VF Corp. just completed the spinoff of its jeans division and is in the process of moving its global headquarters to Denver, CO, from Greensboro, NC, but these are only two of the significant changes at the multibillion-dollar company. After completing “one of the most transformative periods in VF's 120-year history,” where does it go from here?

SGB Media • 20th May 2019

Baseball Bat Sales Soar In 2018 After Key Rule Change

A baseball bat rule change that USA Baseball issued in 2015 and which organizations such as Little League International adopted in January of last year helped manufacturers’ sales of bats surge 18.9 percent in 2018, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association. The overall sports and fitness products industry grew 2.3 percent in 2018 to $92.3 billion.

SGB Media • 15th May 2019

The ‘Tiger Bump’ Is Real … And It’s Spectacular

Tiger Woods’ emotional victory at the Masters Tournament in Augusta, GA, last month gave the sport of golf a huge boost, delivering an undeniable economic shot in the arm for all stakeholders. Tiger’s success—the industry knows well and was reminded of once again—is everyone’s success.

SGB Media • 10th May 2019

Why Vista Outdoor Is Recommitting To Its Bell/Giro Business

Almost one year to the day that Vista Outdoor Inc. announced plans to sell its Bell/Giro business, the company took the bike protection segment off the selling block and committed to “rebuilding those brands with a fresh perspective,” said CEO Chris Metz.

SGB Media • 10th May 2019

Short-Term Issues Force Callaway To Lower Jack Wolfskin Expectations

Market softness in the key markets of Central Europe and China along with foreign exchange headwinds prompted Callaway Golf Co. to lower its 2019 EBITDA expectations for Jack Wolfskin, the German-based outdoor apparel and gear brand that Callaway recently acquired.

SGB Media • 7th May 2019

Strong Snow Season, Product Innovation Drive Clarus To Q1 Beat

Add Clarus Corp. to the growing list of beneficiaries of the record-setting 2018/19 ski and snowboard season. Historic snowfall led to the fourth-highest number of skier visits at resorts across the U.S., and it fueled winter sports enthusiasts to buy more products from brands like Clarus’ flagship, Black Diamond Equipment.

SGB Media • 6th May 2019

Emerald CEO: Outdoor Retailer ‘Making Good Progress’ On Schedule Adoption

Outdoor Retailer is “making good progress” on convincing the industry that the three-show cycle—November for Winter Market, January for Snow Show and June for Summer Market—is the right cadence for buying cycles, according to Phil Evans of Emerald Expositions Events Inc.

SGB Media • 6th May 2019

April M&A Roundup: BSN Grows Again, Volcom Gets Liberated

BSN Sports has become a fixture in SGB Executive’s monthly roundup of M&A activity, and April saw the nation’s largest direct marketer and distributor of sporting goods to the school and league markets grow yet again with the addition of two more assets. In a busy month for deals in the active lifestyle market, surf, skate and snow brand Volcom found a new owner.

SGB Media • 30th April 2019

Unity Needed For Snow Sports Industry To Boost Participation

As this historic ski and snowboard season winds down, it’s time for the industry to gather for an après drink and find ways to reverse the trend of declining participation. SGB spoke with numerous stakeholders about how they can contribute to the cause and why building on the momentum of this epic season is so critical.

SGB Media • 26th April 2019

Columbia Eyes Three Key Growth Markets Following Strong Q1

After reporting record sales and an earnings beat in the first quarter, Columbia Sportswear Co. is now looking to amplify its brand presence in three key markets—New York, Denver and China—that offer additional growth opportunities for the outdoor apparel and footwear giant.

SGB Media • 11th April 2019

Conversation With Dakine VP Of Sales Chico Bukovansky

“Right now, it’s a fun ride,” said Chico Bukovansky, Dakine Equipment’s VP of sales, who spoke with SGB in a wide-ranging conversation about the Hood River, OR-based outdoor brand’s latest ownership change and what’s driving growth at the company these days. Here's what he told us.

SGB Media • 9th April 2019

REI Leveraging Record Sales Year In Pledge To ‘Do More’

For all the tumult REI Co-op faced earlier in 2019, the company is clearly on solid ground after reporting that 2018 was its strongest sales year ever. Bolstered by record revenue and a firm understanding of changing customer demands, REI has big plans as it recommits to the outdoors, reinforces its omnichannel strategy, and ramps up its rental and used gear programs.

SGB Media • 5th April 2019

How Will Another C-Level Departure Impact Hibbett?

Hibbett Sports Inc.’s board of directors will need to form yet another search committee after the company announced Friday morning that Scott Bowman is resigning as CFO—the retailer’s second C-level departure in the last two weeks. On March 22, CEO Jeff Rosenthal announced he is retiring this year, so what impact, if any, will these exits have on the retailer?

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