Columbia Sportswear has reported net sales up by 1 per cent from $770 million to $778.5 million in the first quarter.

Operating income rose 4 per cent to $46.5 million, with an expanded gross margin due to an increase in closeout margins and a decrease in delivery expenses and input costs.

Tim Boyle, chairman, president and CEO of Columbia Sportswear, said that in light of macro-economic uncertainty resulting from US tariff increases and “ambiguous public policy”, the company was taking “decisive actions to maintain the company’s financial strength”.

Despite the unpredictable tariff influence, the company is not raising a full-year outlook but continues to expect net sales to increase by 5 per cent in the second quarter, to $575 million.

“As part of our ‘Accelerate growth strategy’, we remain committed to increasing investments in demand creation to bring our new highly differentiated marketing campaign and enhanced product assortment to life this fall.”

In February, Columbia reported a return to growth during the fourth quarter.