North America Drives Rapala VMC's Third Quarter With Sales Up 8%

Rapala VMC grew third-quarter sales 3% to EUR 56.4 million on an 8% gain in North America, while drought pushed European sales down 2%. Weather, not the economy, is now the swing factor in the European tackle trade, and Rapala is leaning on U.S. anglers to hold its EUR 12 million to EUR 14 million comparable profit guide. That makes U.S. dealers the customers Rapala can least afford to shortchange on fill rates this winter.