This article first appeared in our sister publication Shop Eat Surf Outdoor (SESO)
Vermont-based outdoor retailer Orvis will shutter 36 locations by early 2026 in a broad restructure that will sharpen the company’s focus on fly fishing and wingshooting. President Simon Perkins cited tariffs as one of the reasons for the company’s recent challenges.
“Like many in retail, Orvis’ business model faced a sizeable shift with the introduction of an unprecedented tariff landscape,” he said in a statement shared with VTDigger (see full statement below). “For more than a century and a half, we’ve been committed to being leaders in our space for customers and partners, beginning with our industry-leading fly rods still crafted in Vermont today. To ensure a durable brand and model for decades to come, we are focusing on our core strengths and making the difficult but necessary decision to rescale the business by tightening our assortment and reducing our corporate store footprint.”
Orvis will close 31 stores and five outlets by early 2026, reads the statement, without specifying which locations or how many employees will be impacted. More than 50 U.S. retail stores are listed on the company’s website in addition to a broad authorized dealer network, which Perkins said Orvis will continue to focus on.
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“We know this impacts people who are significant members of the Orvis family,” Perkins said. “We are deeply grateful to our associates who have done an exceptional job embodying the Orvis brand and core values for our local communities. And we highly value and appreciate our loyal customers whom we’ve grown to know through the stores we will be closing.”
A Challenging Year at Orvis
Orvis announced it was reducing its workforce by 4%, or about 50 employees, in June, again attributing the decision to tariffs.
The company also cut more than 110 jobs last year, shuttered some locations and ceased its 170-year-old mail order catalog sales. Orvis moved its headquarters from Sunderland, Ver. to a smaller building in Manchester, Ver.
“Looking ahead, we are investing in the areas where Orvis makes its greatest impact — world-class gear and apparel, unforgettable experiences and a deep commitment to conservation,” Perkins said.
As part of the transition, Orvis will offer special savings on “Last Release” styles that will not return once they are gone, along with substantial discounts at closing store locations, he said.
“Orvis is proud of what we’ve built together and energized for what’s ahead,” Perkins said. “For nearly 170 years, our customers have trusted Orvis as their outfitter for gear and adventure on the water and in the field, and that commitment will remain our compass as we build for the next 170 years.”
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The full statement by Orvis President Simon Perkins reads:
Since 1856, Orvis has inspired generations of adventure in the field and on the water. Guided by that same purpose, we are entering an exciting new chapter by returning to our roots and sharpening our focus on the pursuits at the heart of our heritage: fly fishing and wingshooting. This focus is about more than products—it’s about ensuring Orvis continues to lead in innovation, serve our angling and upland communities, and protect the wild places we love.
Like many in retail, Orvis’ business model faced a sizeable shift with the introduction of an unprecedented tariff landscape. For more than a century-and-a-half, we’ve been committed to being leaders in our space for customers and partners, beginning with our industry-leading fly rods still crafted in Vermont today. To ensure a durable brand and model for decades to come, we are focusing on our core strengths and making the difficult but necessary decision to rescale the business by tightening our assortment and reducing our corporate store footprint.
As part of this effort, we will close 31 stores and 5 outlets by early 2026. We will be concentrating on a more focused retail store portfolio, as well as brick-and-mortar opportunities through our valued dealer network. We know this impacts people who are significant members of the Orvis family. We are deeply grateful to our associates who have done an exceptional job embodying the Orvis brand and core values for our local communities. And we highly value and appreciate our loyal customers whom we’ve grown to know through the stores we will be closing. While we will miss shared moments in many retail store locations, we look forward to continuing to connect at local Orvis dealers, on Orvis.com and through our Orvis Adventures offering including endorsed lodges and experiences.
Looking ahead, we are investing in the areas where Orvis makes its greatest impact—world-class gear and apparel, unforgettable experiences, and a deep commitment to conservation. As part of this transition, Orvis will offer special savings on “Last Release” styles that will not return once they are gone, along with substantial savings at closing store locations.
Orvis is proud of what we’ve built together and energized for what’s ahead. For nearly 170 years, our customers have trusted Orvis as their outfitter for gear and adventure on the water and in the field, and that commitment will remain our compass as we build for the next 170 years.
