The president of the European Outdoor Group (EOG) has issued an open letter to the outdoor industry, urging businesses to work together and “reach reasonable agreements” with suppliers and retailers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mark Held told the 113 member organisations that “like other sectors, the outdoor trade is facing its most difficult situation in decades”.

“First and foremost, our thoughts are with all of those who have personally been affected by the virus itself,” he said. We send out our compassion and best wishes to everyone who is caught up in this.

“We are also deeply concerned about the harm being done to businesses in our sector and we know that the outdoor industry landscape will not be the same afterwards. It is too early to predict how that landscape will look, but I do know that once again, this is a moment for our trade to act in unity, so that we can make it through to the other side.

“There’s no escaping the fact that the current situation will put a huge strain on all of us and each organisation must do what it needs to protect itself. In doing so, the EOG makes one request – please consider the big picture and the overall long-term health of our whole sector. As everyone grapples with the acute issues that businesses are facing right now, we urge friends and colleagues to do all that they can to come to reasonable agreements in these difficult times – with their suppliers, retailers, service providers and other business partners.

“In every way that we can right now, let us work together, and collectively ensure that as many of us as possible are in business and able to help the public start enjoying the outdoors again, once this current crisis passes.”

The EOG is liaising with the Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI) and other partners to make sure the sector receives the most up-to-date information and “has a voice in the right places”.

Source: Sports Textiles