After forming at Outdoor Retailer in 2017, Maine Outdoor Brands now represents more than 200 brands, including Hyperlite, Hüga, Flowfold and others who will be at the Minneapolis show in August.
Kate Robertson
Kate Robertson's Latest Posts
Lululemon Names Nike Veteran Heidi O’Neill as New CEO
O’Neill, who departed Nike in May 2025 after 26 years, will join Lululemon in September 2026.
Vail Resorts: Skier Visits Decline 14.9% Due to Record Warmth, Low Snowfall
Skier visits to the Rockies declined 25% in what Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz described as one of the most challenging winters in the Western U.S. in history.
Icebreaker Achieves Highest Plastic-Free Levels to Date: Transparency Report
Icebreaker just hit their highest plastic-free levels to-date. In 2025, 98% of the fibers used across our collections were plastic-free —up from 97.5% in 2024. Merino wool remains at the center of our collections, representing 84.25% of the fibers used in 2025. Check...
Sanuk VP and GM Katie Pruitt on Collaborating with Free People
Footwear brand Sanuk has partnered with Free People for a new capsule collection. Learn about the collaboration and how it aligns with Sanuk’s business turnaround strategy.
Outdoor Retailer 2026 Opens Registration, Launches “Make It Yours” Campaign
OR’s new campaign invites the outdoor industry to shape the future of Outdoor Retailer through participation, collaboration, feedback and shared experiences.
Buyer Registration is Officially Open for Surf Expo September 2026
A long list of brands and retailers have already registered for Surf Expo, which runs from Sept. 16 through Sept. 18, 2026 in Orlando, Florida.
Why MEC’s Store Investments Are Paying Off
Mountain Equipment Company’s Chief Merchandising Officer Chris Speyer and VP of Marketing Michele Guimond share how the Canadian retailer is returning to its core focus, expanding its private label, and investing in store experiences and employees.
Vuori Appoints Heather Archibald as First Chief Product Officer
Archibald has previously served in product and merchandising roles at Rothy’s, Title Nine, Gap and more.
Backcountry Launches Brand Incubator, Acquires Utah-Based Coalatree
Coalatree President JM Fabrizi will lead Backcountry Garage, a new innovation platform and brand incubator for emerging outdoor brands.
How Specialty Retailers Use AI to Boost Margins
Independent retailers are using AI for buying, operations and marketing. Learn practical tips to save time and increase profits in specialty retail.
Outdoor Research Announces President Roger Barton is Departing
Barton joined Outdoor Research in 2018, initially leading finance and operations, before becoming president in 2020.
