Copyright M Live Michigan
Orvis, an outdoor retailer that’s been in business for 169 years, is closing dozens of stores as it deals with economic pressures caused by tariffs. The company says it will close 31 locations, along with five outlet stores by early 2026, Fox Business reports. The closures are necessary in order for the brand to “ensure a durable brand and model for decades to come,” said Orvis President Simon Perkins in a statement. “Like many in retail, Orvis’ business model faced a sizeable shift with the introduction of an unprecedented tariff landscape,” Perkins said. Orvis was founded in 1856 by Charles F. Orvis as a fly-fishing retailer. According to the company website, the company has expanded its product line since its founding to include: sportswear, fine gifts, home furnishings, luggage and travel accessories. The company is headquartered in Vermont. The planned closings will cut the company’s physical store footprint by nearly half. Orvis currently operates more than 70 retail locations nationwide while also selling its products via retail partners like Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shop and hundreds of locally based retailers throughout the country. Orvis did not release a list of which locations will be closing. Orvis employs an estimated 1,500 people according to the company website, however, it is unknown how many employees will be impacted by the closures. As part of the decision to close retail locations, Perkins said the company will also shift its product focus. “We’re stepping into an exciting new chapter—one focused on our core passions of fly fishing and wingshooting. This return to our roots is a renewed dedication to innovation, a commitment to our angling and upland communities, and to the wild places we love,” Perkins said. However, the company is not expected to fully exit the lifestyle apparel market.
