Outdoor Voices Closes Physical Stores and Returns to Its DTC Roots

The company, which was founded in 2013 by Tyler Haney in New York City and is now headquartered in Austin, Texas, OV quickly became a darling of the DTC space, reaching a valuation of $110 million by 2018 to $40 million in January 2020, accompanied by layoffs across the company.

After the company’s valuation plummeted and a series of senior executive departures signaled internal struggles. Gabrielle Conforti has been serving as the CEO of Outdoor Voices since 2021, taking the helm after Haney tendered her resignation in February 2020.

Despite the abrupt closure of its brick-and-mortar stores, Outdoor Voices’ products will continue to be available for purchase online, and the brand’s apparel has also been sold through other retailers such as REI and Nordstrom.

Insiders have pointed to a series of missteps leading to the brand’s decline, including upper-level mismanagement and a toxic corporate culture that persisted even after the departure of founder Ty Haney in 2020. The company reportedly struggled with cash flow issues, failing to pay vendors and rent for its stores…