A strong macroeconomic climate coupled with a growing desire among consumers to lead active, healthy lifestyles (driven by Millennials) has resulted in growing M&A activity and healthy deal multiples in the outdoor products industry.
Secular trends continue to drive consumers outside, leading to increasing participation in outdoor activities.
The M&A market has been dominated by both hyper-acquisitive strategic buyers, motivated to expand category offerings, fill product gaps and bolster e-commerce capabilities, as well as resurgence of financial sponsors actively seeking add-on acquisitions for platform companies and smaller, high-growth investments.
The Outdoor industry faces a shifting political landscape involving public lands that anchor recreation, resulting in outdoor industry companies responding with political activism.
The U.S. sportswear market is seeing a major shift from traditional in-store purchases to higher velocity digital purchases. Brick-and-mortar outdoor retail specialists face competition from pure “e-tailers” and direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands that price aggressively.
Outdoor brands have become more fashion-conscious to meet consumer preferences for versatile outerwear that is stylish yet possess the functional capabilities of traditional outdoor gear. This trend, defined as “athleisure,” consists of casual, comfortable clothing designed to be suitable for both exercise and everyday wear.
Stay Ahead with Kroll
Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Advisory
Kroll’s top ranked M&A Advisory practice spans sell-side, buy-side, due diligence, deal strategy and structuring, and capital raising.
Consumer, Food, Restaurant and Retail Investment Banking
Consumer, Food, Restaurant and Retail expertise for middle-market M&A transactions.
Valuation Services
When companies require an objective and independent assessment of value, they look to Kroll.
Transaction Advisory Services
Kroll’s Transaction Advisory Services platform offers corporate and financial investors with deep accounting and technical expertise, commercial knowledge, industry insight and seamless analytical services throughout the deal continuum.
Transaction Opinions
Our Transaction Opinions solutions span fairness opinions, solvency opinions, ESOP/ERISA advisory, board and special committee advisory, and complex valuations.
Financial Sponsors Group
Dedicated coverage and access to M&A deal-flow for financial sponsors.
Distressed M&A and Special Situations
Kroll professionals have advised hundreds of companies, investors and other stakeholders at all stages of distressed transactions and special situations.
Debt Advisory
Kroll has extensive experience raising capital for middle-market companies to support a wide range of transactions.