06/11/2026
LOVE this! Bill Jacksons earned this year's Retail WOW Award! What an honor to be recognized! This means so much to us, thank you 😊
Grassroots Outdoor Alliance names winners of 2026 Outdoor Specialty Awards
🏆 MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS to the 2026 Grassroots Outdoor Specialty Awards winners! 🎉
Grassroots Outdoor Alliance has officially announced the winners, and the top honors go to:
🥇 **RETAILER OF THE YEAR:** Skinny Skis (Jackson, Wyo.)
This nordic skiing heritage shop reinvented itself in the face of market headwinds by embracing their roots. Co-owner Taylor Hall said, "We made a decision to just be ourselves and not worry too much about the marketplace." Humbling words from a shop that stood out for vendor feedback, store wow factor, merchandising, and responsible business ownership! 💪
🥇 **VENDOR OF THE YEAR:** Smartwool
The apparel manufacturer was recognized for excellence in sales & service, collaboration with specialty retail, product quality, and marketplace conduct. Smartwool General Manager Margot Hannaford credited reps and retailers: "We attribute a huge amount of success to our reps for the work they do every day, and for the retailers who help get our brand in front of consumers." 🧦
🏅 **ADDITIONAL 2026 WINNERS:**
🔹 Retailer Growth Award — Casual Adventure (Arlington, Va.)
🔹 Community Giveback Award — Footsloggers (Boone, N.C.)
🔹 Retailer Wow Award (merchandising & store design) — Bill Jackson's (Pinellas Park, Fla.)
🔹 Excellence in Apparel — Patagonia
🔹 Excellence in Footwear — Salewa
🔹 Excellence in Hardgoods & Accessories — Hydrapak
🔹 Conservation Championship Award (Retailer) — Mountain Sports (Flagstaff, Ariz.)
🔹 Conservation Championship Award (Vendor) — Grayl (water filtration)
🌟 **TOP 25 INDY REP AWARD:** 25 independent sales representatives were recognized for professionalism, service, partnership, and commitment to the specialty channel — the conduits between outdoor brands and retailers!
Gabe Maier, President of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, emphasized why these awards matter: "The winners should feel very proud that these awards reflect very tangible results of hard work, because they're informed by real-world information that our community shares with us. The strength of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance has always come from partnership — retailers, vendors, reps, and industry leaders working together to build something stronger than any one business alone." 🤝
These awards were announced at the Spring 2026 Grassroots Connect buying show in Reno, Nev. (June 7-11), where 150+ retail businesses and 290 exhibiting manufacturers gathered! 📊
👇 Want to see the full list of Top 25 Indy Reps and learn more about each winner? Click the link below!
🔗 https://www.outdoorsportswire.com/grassroots-outdoor-alliance-names-winners-of-2026-outdoor-specialty-awards/
💬 COMMENT BELOW: Which of these award-winning retailers do you shop at? Or what's your favorite outdoor brand? Share your thoughts! 🏔️
