Trail Creek Outfitters, Patagonia win Retailer, Vendor of the Year in annual awards celebrating overall Outdoor Industry excellence.
RENO, N.V. (June 10, 2025) — Trail Creek Outfitters and Patagonia won Retailer of the Year and Vendor of the Year respectively as part of the 2025 Grassroots Outdoor Specialty Awards. The annual awards program — curated by Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, the national organization dedicated to the health and growth of specialty outdoor retail — selects winners based on extensive feedback from peers in the specialty retailer and vendor communities.
Award winners in those categories and many others were announced Monday, June 9, at the Spring 2025 Grassroots Connect buying show in Reno, Nev., where 148 retail businesses and 147 exhibiting product manufacturers are gathering this week. The Connect Show takes place twice a year to support brand line showings for independent specialty retailers timed around key ordering deadlines.
The Grassroots Outdoor Specialty Awards celebrate overall excellence among Grassroots retailers and vendors, as well as outstanding achievements in business, advocacy, community action, and philanthropy.
“Recognizing the hard work that retailers and brands do day in and day out to positively serve their communities while running successful businesses is one of the highlights of the year for our team and for all of the retailers and brands involved in selecting the winners,” said Dana Howe, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance Vice President. “It’s especially meaningful because these awards are given out based solely on feedback from a community of peers. It’s also meaningful because the best practices that these retailers and manufacturers put into action to earn these awards also provide great educational take-aways for us to share with our members, helping make our entire industry better in the process.”
The Winners of the 2025 Awards Include:
Retailer of the Year — Trail Creek Outfitters, Glen Mills, Pa.
Vendor of the Year — Patagonia
Excellence in Footwear — Salewa
Excellence in Hardgoods & Accessories — Nemo Equipment
Excellence in Apparel & Softgoods — Rab
Community Giveback Award — Massey’s Outfitters, New Orleans, La.
Retailer Growth Award — Active Endeavors, Davenport, Iowa
Retailer Wow Award (merchandising & store design) — The Toggery, Whitefish, Mont.
Excellence in Sales Representation — Emily Rach, Midwest Outdoor Sales; Heath Rowland, Ground Up Sales: Kurt Smith, Top Gun Sales
The Spring 2025 Grassroots Connect Show runs from June 8-12.