Innovation or Stagnation? The Choice Facing Outdoor Retail.

Innovate or Stagnate

There is persistent pessimism surrounding outdoor retail these days and it often traces back to a reluctance to embrace change. Continuing to use the same methods and systems while expecting different results is a recipe for failure and a possible explanation for some of the stagnation that everyone in the industry is seeing and talking about right now.

New brands and start-ups are a crucial force for innovation and positive change in every industry, especially outdoor and clothing. Brands are constantly adapting, innovating products, pushing for more sustainable choices, offering solutions to pressing problems, and finding ways to support their partners.

At Abode Outside, we made a commitment to use our business for positive change from the beginning: we use clothing as a tool to connect people with the outdoors and protect it for future generations. That’s why our entire collection is built around knitwear construction, we donate 1% of every sale – online and in-stores – to protecting America’s wilderness, and we design every style to fit all adults. We call it EcoSizing – a unisex approach that simplifies sizing, reduces deadstock, minimizes waste, and gives both consumers and retailers more flexibility.

I never doubted this concept would work. I did a ton of research, scouring every corner of the best outdoor retail stores and websites. After examination, the massive overlap and crossover of color and fit between mens and womens collections is pretty evident. I am not the only one that notices it, because other major brands are starting to introduce unisex collections.

Fit and color are subjective. Some prefer a looser fit, others a closer cut. Some favor bright colors, others earth tones. With knitwear’s natural stretch and adaptability, we accommodate all body types and style preferences without sacrificing comfort or performance.

And guess what? It works. The data proves it and other brands are catching on. Hopefully, dealers do too.

Our styles sell almost equally to men and women, both online and in stores. There’s no clear distinction between “men’s” and “women’s” when it comes to what people actually buy. Even our styles that lean more traditionally masculine or feminine resonate across demographics. Consumer behavior has already evolved, yet some “big” players still operate under outdated systems that make it difficult to adopt a innovative solutions.

I’ve heard buyers say they love the product but don’t have a system to accommodate a unisex collection. Or they simply don’t have time to rethink their approach.

Attention: Retailers don’t need to order or merchandise EcoSizing any differently. It can be displayed in men’s, women’s, or unisex sections. It provides more options, reduces waste, and minimizes deadstock which are problems the industry acknowledges but rarely addresses. Part of our mission is to offer innovative solutions to a real problems that can also help generate buzz and drive traffic to outdoor retailers both in stores and online.

Yet, sometimes I hear that retailers and sales reps don’t have time to introduce something new, educate dealers, or rethink merchandising strategies. Maybe that’s part of the problem. Maybe the process needs to change. Maybe selling and buying should involve more than jam-packed, speed-dating-style meetings where decisions are driven by tight schedules, old habits, and price alone. This approach isn’t serving consumers, retailers, or brands.

Consumers are living in a rapidly changing, modern world. One that is much different from just 5 years ago. The industry must work together to catch up. Stagnation isn’t just bad for business. Its a disservice to people and the planet.

The brands and retailers that thrive will be the ones that embrace change, modernize their operations, and collaborate to build a more sustainable and profitable future.

I sometimes hear people talk about “the industry” as if it’s separate from them – like the industry needs to change itself somehow. If we want a thriving outdoor industry that balances business success with environmental responsibility, we need to do more than demand change from one side or the other. We must be willing to embrace change ourselves.

From day one, we made a commitment to use this brand as a vehicle for positive change.

We’re bringing fresh, meaningful innovations to outdoor retail:

• A fully gender-neutral clothing line, built from the ground up to reduce pollution, deadstock and offer more simplicity and flexibility for dealers and shoppers.
• Our Zero-compromise Product Development Principles. Our product stands out thanks to our unique recipe of using knitwear to blend fashion, functionality and sustainability at reasonable prices.
• A commitment to using clothing as a tool for positive change.
• Harnessing the full potential of knitwear as a valuable all-season and performance solution.

Innovation isnt really a choice. Its absolutely essential for survival. Its the way forward. Innovate or stagnate. We know which side we are on.