Copyright Staten Island Advance
One of the country’s oldest outdoor retailers has announced that it will shutter nearly 40 locations in response to rising tariff costs. The Orvis Company, which has been in business for 169 years, is set to close 31 stores and five outlets,per Fox Business. Orvis President Simon Perkins told Fox the move will begin a “new chapter” for the business and will allow a “more focused retail store portfolio.” Fox said that Orvis’ roots date back to 1856, and it has kept its headquarters in Sunderland, Vermont during that time. The outlet said that Orvis has more than 550 domestic independent dealers and several national outdoor retailers. “Like many in retail, Orvis’ business model faced a sizable shift with the introduction of an unprecedented tariff landscape,” Orvis President Simon Perkins told Fox. He told Fox that in order for Orvis to “ensure a durable brand and model for decades to come, we are focusing on our core strengths and making the difficult but necessary decision to rescale the business by tightening our assortment and reducing our corporate store footprint.” Fox said the company also plans to invest in areas such as gear, apparel, outdoor experiences, and conservation efforts, where it sees potential. It plans to phase out some older products. “It’s about ensuring Orvis continues to lead in innovation, serve our angling and upland communities, and protect the wild places we love,” Perkins said. There is some good news for Orvis fans, though. Perkins said the company will offer special savings on “Last Release” styles that are on their way out and will offer substantial saving at closing locations.
