HEARD
MASTHEAD
We see the outdoor community coming together to pursue a common goal .
Publisher and Editorial Director Doug Schnitzspahn Art Director John McCauley Photo Editor Andrew Kornylak Editor Bevin Wallace Copy Editor Lauren Kruchten Contributors
On a broader scale, it’s no se- cret that the outdoor industry continues to navigate complex challenges—declining sales, excess inventory, PFAS regu- lations, global con icts, and the 2024 presidential election are just a few of the factors shaping the current business landscape. Yet, amid this tur- bulence, many businesses are showing remarkable grit and resolve. Inventory levels within the Grassroots community have improved signi cantly over the past year, and sales are beginning to show signs of sta- bilization. This is meaningful progress, and it’s a testament to the adaptability and determi- nation of everyone involved. Even though the market re- mains cautious and order books have been tightening, hope and opportunity lie ahead. At the end of the day, we’re all united by a common goal: to help people enjoy the outdoors and connect with the natural world. Our e ectiveness in achieving that goal depends on staying curious, being compassionate, and acknowledging that we do it better when we do it together. Here’s to continuing to build a strong, vibrant future for the outdoor industry. Gabe Maier GABE MAIER President, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance
Wes Allen, Aaron Bible, Berne Broudy, Eugene Buchanan, James Edward Mills, Frederick Reimers
O ne of the founding principles at Grass- roots Outdoor Alliance is that shared knowledge makes our members stronger. It also makes our industry stronger. In that vein, we’re excited to present the second issue of Grassroots Stories , a publication that delves into the issues, trends, and stories happening in the outdoor industry through the lens of specialty retail. The goal—in line with a lot of what we do—is to shine a light on successes and bright spots, as well as current challenges and how people are navigating them. A heartfelt thank you to the writers, editors, photographers, and everyone who contributed to this publica- tion—your dedication brings these stories to life. Before we dive into the heart of this issue, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the pro- found impact of Hurricane Helene on so many within our outdoor community. The damage and loss are immense, and the road to recovery will be long. Yet, the incredible support and strength demonstrated across the industry is nothing short of inspiring. We’ve seen rsthand how members of our community can lift one another up in tough times, reminding us of the power we have when we come together. For more on the relief e orts, please turn to page 22. Grassroots Strong
Publishers Gabe Maier gabe@grassrootsoutdoors.com Dana Howe dana@grassrootsoutdoors.com Publication Director Dave Simpson dave@verdepr.com
Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is a retailer- owned active network of 95 independently owned outdoor retailers and 67 vendor partners working together for the health and growth of specialty outdoor retail. grassrootsoutdoors.com Grassroots Stories is published by Artemisia Media, LLC. Copyright© 2024 Artemisia Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part of any article without prior written permission from the publisher and Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is strictly prohibited. Artemisia Media, LLC and Grassroots Outdoor Alliance cannot accept any responsibility for any errors or omissions which occur.
GRASSROOTS STORIES 3
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