If you’re someone who likes outdoor gear, fly fishing, or just flipping through a print catalog at the kitchen table, you probably know the Orvis name. The company’s been around since 1856. Lately, though, there’s been a lot of chatter about whether it’s closing its doors for good.
So, is Orvis going out of business? The answer’s no, but things are definitely changing. Here’s what you need to know about what’s really going on at Orvis, why you’re hearing about layoffs, and what those changes mean if you’re a customer or just a curious observer.
Orvis Is Restructuring, Not Closing Down
It’s true that Orvis has gotten smaller. The company isn’t shutting down entirely, but it is trimming its workforce, closing some retail locations, and rethinking how it connects with customers. If you’re used to seeing the Orvis catalog in your mailbox or spending a morning in their stores, you might notice some changes. But Orvis is still open for business.
Orvis President Simon Perkins has talked openly about the challenges facing the retail world right now. Like a lot of companies with deep roots, Orvis is trying to find a way forward that keeps it competitive and sustainable. So while some of these headlines might sound alarming, there’s more to the story.
The Layoffs: Making a “Smaller, More Agile Business”
Back in October 2024, Orvis said it would lay off 8% of its workforce. If you’re wondering, that comes to about 112 people. That number isn’t small, especially for a company known for its tight-knit culture. The layoffs affected staff across different levels and locations—some remote workers, some in retail, and some in company offices.
Why make cuts like this? The company said it needed to “right-size” so it could respond better to new retail and economic challenges. In other words, sales patterns have shifted, customers are shopping differently, and Orvis wants to move faster and adapt more smoothly. Doing that sometimes means reducing overhead and making some tough decisions.
This kind of move is happening all over retail. Many long-standing brands, especially those with both e-commerce and brick-and-mortar operations, are facing similar questions about where to invest. For Orvis, the layoffs are just one piece of the puzzle.
Store Closures: A Fewer, More Focused Footprint
One of the more visible parts of Orvis’s restructuring is the decision to close some retail stores. The company hasn’t put out a big public list of every location getting the axe. But some closures have already made local news.
Take Seattle, for example. The Orvis store there will shut down in March 2025. That’s not just a blow to Pacific Northwest anglers and shoppers, but also to a city that’s seen a fair share of retail contraction lately. Employees were notified, and customers will see signs about the upcoming closure.
Of course, one store’s closure doesn’t mean the entire chain is disappearing. Many Orvis stores across the U.S. and the UK remain open. The company says it continues to operate 70 retail stores and 10 outlets in the United States, plus 18 stores and one outlet overseas in the United Kingdom. The goal, according to Orvis leadership, is to focus on stores that are performing well and to allocate resources more efficiently.
So, if you’re used to stopping by your neighborhood Orvis, it might be a good idea to check if it’s one of the stores staying open. The shift is more about where Orvis can serve customers best, rather than pulling up stakes everywhere.
The End of the Print Catalog: Closing an Era
If you grew up with the Orvis catalog on your coffee table (or maybe even used it to start a campfire), there’s a big change coming. Orvis announced in 2024 that it’s ending its long-running print catalog.
For context, the Orvis catalog isn’t just a gussied-up sales flyer. It’s been a staple since the late 1800s, printed on good paper and packed with gear photos, stories, and sometimes essays from famous anglers and outdoors experts. Some folks probably hung onto issues as reading material for the cabin.
Shutting down the catalog isn’t something Orvis did lightly. They cited rising printing and mailing costs, plus big shifts in how people discover and buy products. Most shoppers find new gear online now, not in the mailbox. Orvis says they’ll focus on digital marketing and strengthening their website instead.
This tracks with what’s happening in retail at large. A lot of direct-to-consumer brands are ditching print. But if you were looking forward to paging through the latest Orvis picks, you’ll now have to look online.
What Orvis Still Offers (And Where To Find It)
Now’s a good time to check in on what all these changes mean for you as a customer. If you want to buy Orvis gear, you still have plenty of options. Most stores are open, their website is running, and big product lines—fly rods, fishing waders, dog beds, outdoor gear—are all in stock.
Orvis currently operates 70 retail stores plus 10 outlets in the U.S. The brand’s UK presence includes 18 stores and a single outlet, which is actually more than many people might expect for a company going through a reset. That means chances are good there’s a store within a reasonable drive if you’re in one of those markets.
The company is focusing energy on the stores and outlets that get solid traffic and loyal shoppers. They’re also doubling down on online sales and digital customer service. So if you’re used to shopping through catalogs, you’ll find the same products—and sometimes more—on their website.
For those who like in-person experiences, Orvis also plans to keep some of its signature on-site services going strong, like fly-fishing lessons, dog adoption days, and in-store fishing reports.
If you want the inside scoop on other brands or what’s happening with retailers in general, places like Business Republic Magazine keep tabs on company news and trends across the outdoor industry. It’s worth a look if you enjoy reading behind-the-scenes business updates.
No, Orvis Isn’t Going Out of Business—But It Is Changing
So what does Orvis’s story look like now? Think of it as a trusted brand doing some hard updating, not a company fading away. Without sugarcoating it, these changes haven’t been easy for anyone involved—especially people losing jobs or seeing favorite stores close.
But if you’re a customer, you’ll still find Orvis gear online, in most stores, and at select events. You just won’t see the big stack of catalogs in your mailbox anymore. Instead, expect more digital content, new website features, and maybe a few local Orvis locations shutting their doors.
Orvis leadership has been up front: shrinking isn’t fun, but the company’s betting it’ll help keep them around for another century. And while the brand you grew up with might look a little different, the core promise—fly-fishing, outdoor gear, a friendly dog in the store—remains part of their DNA.
That’s not the end for Orvis. It’s just the next version of their business, built to handle today’s retail market, meet digital shoppers with the same classic camping and fishing spirit, and keep the doors open for years to come. If anything else changes, you’ll hear it straight from them—and probably from all the outdoor fans and news sites keeping track, too.
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