Troubled Times: Major Outdoor Retailer Announces Layoffs and Closures

MJP –

There have been devastating layoffs and shop closures at a legendary outdoor gear business as the company has reduced its product offering.

Layoffs of 112 workers, or around 8% of the workforce, are part of Orvis’s ambition to stay in business for another 170 years as a family-owned, purpose-driven company.

In an email letter, President Simon Perkins broke the news, bringing attention to the fact that some locations will be closing and that the legendary catalog will no longer be produced.

The Vermont-based store will also reduce the number of products it sells, which includes outdoor clothing, fishing gear, and bird shooting equipment.

Although this may result in lower top-line revenue, the goal is to make the brand more focused.

There are more than 80 Orvis stores in the United States alone, and the company works with 400 dealers worldwide.

These alterations will be implemented within the subsequent twelve months.

Layoff victims will get two months’ compensation and benefits, extra severance, help with health insurance and job transfers, and more.

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These decisions were tough, and Perkins made sure his staff and communities knew it.

Throughout its history since its founding in 1856, Orvis has seen multiple cycles of change. However, according to Perkins, the current difficulties are more severe, necessitating daring measures to continue exciting customers with inspiring stories, experiences, and goods.

The Perkins family has presided over the business for 60 years, despite not being its original creators.

Four years ago, Simon Perkins was named president. He has a wealth of expertise as a Montana hunting and fishing guide and was formerly the chief operations officer.

In his time at Orvis, he has worked to expand fly fishing’s appeal and advocate for environmental protection.

By discontinuing the catalog and closing a “limited number” of locations, the company hopes to redirect its marketing efforts and save paper use by more than 2,500 tons per year.

Although Orvis caters to more than just those who like fishing and bird hunting, the company’s dedication to conservation, serious fishermen, and wing shooters never wavers.

After a successful launch of the new Helios rod and the unique Magnitude clear fly line collection, the firm continued to manufacture fly rods in Southern Vermont.

In his speech, Perkins restated the company’s fundamental mission: to continue serving our customers, workers, partners, and the environment for the next 170 years as a purpose-driven brand.

His main point was that we need to change our ways of doing things since some things that worked in the past no longer work.

Outdoor gear stores like Patagonia and REI have also announced layoffs in the past few months, so Orvis isn’t the only one dealing with these problems.