REI Co-op president and CEO Eric Artz will forgo his salary for the next 6 months as well as his incentives for 2020 as the retail co-op will put the majority of its retail and field employees on unpaid 90-day furlough starting April 15 as it announced its 3-week store closures will continue. The CEO wrote in a blog post that REI hopes to begin curbside pickup as a prelude to fuller openings in the next 45 days. In addition to Artz’ salary, the board of directors will forfeit their fees for the same six-month period, and the senior leadership team will take a 20 percent pay cut as well as forfeit their bonuses for 2020, and will make staff cuts at head quarters.  The firm will pay all health benefit premiums for furloughed employees and will continue their coverage for the next 90 days.

The Outdoor Retailer Show has canceled its Summer Market trade show, which had been scheduled for June 23 to 25 in Denver. “Recent developments have made it impossible to effectively execute a June show that delivers the level of connection, discovery, and value our community expects,” show organizers said in an announcement. Organizer Emerald Expositions said that the show would focus on providing attendees with tools to support go-to-market strategies for the spring and summer ’21 seasons and reinforce buyer/seller networks. OR joins other events that have canceled their market showings including FFANY Market Week and Grassroots Outdoor Alliance’s Connect show last week and the RIA’s KICK show.

‍The Big Gear Show, a new outdoor trade show scheduled July 22 to 25 in Salt Lake City, is continuing to plan for its event. “Our sole focus of supporting gear builders and specialty retailers has not wavered—collectively the engines that power participation and who will be on the front lines of the recovery,” the show organizers said in a statement.

‍Escalade has hired Scott J. Sincerbeaux, longtime Wolverine Worldwide executive, as its new CEO and president, effective April 27. During his WWW tenure, Sincerbeaux’s positions included President of Direct to Consumer, President of Global Retail and President of The Stride Rite Children’s Group.

‍Puma SE, which will conduct its annual meeting digitally on May 7, will propose suspending its dividend payment for FY19. The company will release its first quarter results on the same day, a week later than initially planned.

‍Tifosi Optics has created an affiliate program that gives enrolled specialty retailers a larger commission. Through the initiative, affiliated retail partners will receive a 45 percent commission on sales that are referred to Tifosioptics.com. The Watkinsville, GA-based company advises interested parties to register as an affiliate at https://www.tifosioptics.com/store-affiliate/. Once registered, retailers will receive an affiliate link and support materials to share with their customers. Tifosi is also offering to drop ship to consumers for affiliates as long as the customer is located in the same state as their resale tax certificate.

‍Under Armour, having terminated its first quarter and FY20 outlooks that were provided on Feb. 11, will temporarily lay off all staff at its U.S. brand stores and Factory House outlets on April 12. Store and distribution staff have received four weeks of full pay since the COVID-19 crisis commenced. Meanwhile, approximately 600 U.S. distribution center workers will also be laid off, but bonuses will be paid to those continuing to work during the COVID-19 crisis. Additionally, Under Armour’s board will reduce its compensation by 25 percent and all EVPs and above will take a 25 percent salary cut through the duration of pandemic.

‍Zumiez, which is keeping its 718 global doors, including 607 in the U.S., closed until further notice, has identified a number of actions to cut costs and preserve capital. The Lynwood, WA company ended FY19 with over $250 million in cash and no debt. Current expense reduction plans include laying off all part-time staff and suspending new hiring; delaying or canceling select projects; lowering inventory receipts by canceling or delaying orders; suspending rent payment while negotiating for relief from landlords; and extending payment terms for merchandise and non-merchandise vendor invoices.