The 3 Moves That Decide Who Wins Peak 2025

Sports & Outdoors

Here's what's happening this week in the world of sports and outdoor commerce:
- Columbia’s ACCELERATE strategy meets cost pressure, mixed results.
- Shopify maps real-time pivots for viral demand.
- Patagonia advances PFAS-free, RDS, recycled inputs at scale.
- Eric Emanuel x MLB capsule rides playoff momentum.
- Nanga’s functional drop spotlights packable footwear demand.

⏱️The 3 Moves That Decide Who Wins Peak 2025

Every brand talks about “winning Peak.” Few actually do. In this short video, Fospha’s Aidan Gadd breaks down the 3 moves that decide who comes out on top in Peak 2025.

👉Watch the video to see the 3 moves

📌WEEKLY MUST-KNOWS

ECOMMERCE OPERATIONS
Sporting Goods Ecommerce Guide: Market And Growth Strategies (2025)

Shopify outlines how viral sports moments now trigger instant demand spikes, requiring Usain Bolt–speed pivots in inventory, pricing, PDP content, and omnichannel fulfillment. The guide centers on variant-heavy catalogs, AR/VR fit guidance, community-led discovery, and B2B workflows that are reshaping operational design. Brands selling gear or fan merch need tech stacks, data, and workflows that react in real time across DTC, marketplaces, and BOPIS.

CORPORATE STRATEGY
Columbia Sportswear: Waiting To See How ACCELERATE Plays Out (COLM)

Columbia’s ACCELERATE push to win younger consumers with new marketing is running into tariff headwinds, higher SG&A, and a North America sales decline, resulting in operating and net losses despite revenue growth. The near-term signal: strategy execution needs time while cost pressures and competition compress margins. Retail partners and performance marketers should expect conservative spend, tighter wholesale orders, and sharper ROI asks on campaigns.

SUSTAINABILITY
Patagonia Fitz Roy Down Hoody Sustainability Report

Patagonia advances PFAS-free DWR across new products, uses RDS-certified down, and scales recycled inputs like NetPlus fishing-net nylon in the Fitz Roy Down Hoody. This product-level proof point aligns with tightening chemicals scrutiny and rising consumer expectation for verified materials. Competitors face pressure to match traceability and PFAS phase-outs without sacrificing performance or availability.

⚡QUICK READS

Eric Emanuel’s MLB Capsule Drops For Playoffs: Designer-led, licensed team sweatsuits hit as postseason buzz peaks, signaling a near-term demand surge for co-branded fanwear with streetwear equity.(More)

Versace X Onitsuka Tiger Signals Luxury-Sport Convergence: A 2026 footwear release formalizes luxury’s embrace of athletic heritage, raising the bar for premium craftsmanship in cross-category collabs.(More)

Nanga, SUBU, South2 West8 Launch Functional Capsule: US drop features packable footwear and fishing-influenced down, pointing to continued demand for modular, travel-ready outerwear systems.(More)

ClickZ is a ClickZ Media publication in the DTC eCommerce division