Big City Mountaineers Celebrates 20th Anniversary
In 2009, Big City Mountaineers will mark 20 years of enhancing the lives of under-resourced urban teens through transformative outdoor experiences. Since 1989, BCM has worked to offer a new perspective to teens through weeklong wilderness backpacking and
Outdoor Companies Honored on Best Places to Work List
Deckers Outdoor, Mountain Hardwear, Clif Bar, Smartwool and several other companies recently announced their inclusion in Outside Magazine's 2009 list of “Best Places to Work.” Deckers was ranked No. 26 out of 30 selected companies, while Mountain Ha
Rawlings Debuts New S100 Safety Helmet
Rawlings Sporting Goods Co., Inc. introduced a new batter’s helmet that is promises increased protection at ball speeds up to 100 miles per hour. Rawlings S100 helmets will be available in April 2009 at select retailers and team dealer locations. All S100
Gwen Manto Exits Dick’s Sporting Goods
Gwendolyn Manto has left her role as EVP and chief merchandising officer of Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc., effective April 13, 2009. According to a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, the retailer does not expect to replace her in this po
Viridian Green Laser Sights Hires New Marketing Firms
Viridian Green Laser Sights, a subsidiary of Laser Aiming Systems Corporation, has the hired two new sales and marketing groups-H&G Marketing and ProActive Sales and Marketing. ProActive will have account responsibilities in the southeast while H&G will p
Report Looks at Purchase Habits of Women Consumers
In sharp contrast to their male counterparts, sports apparel is purchased more often by women than either footwear or equipment and the younger the female consumer, the more frequently she will purchase sports apparel…
Weaker March Retail Sales Comps Provide Some Hope for Months Ahead
Overall same-store sales may have been down in low-singles for March, but retailers exhibited a cautious optimism when discussing outlook regarding the months ahead. Some prognosticators and analysts are suggesting (dare we mention it?) we have seen the
Worldwide Files Suit to Recover Secured Proceeds from Joe’s GOB Sales
In other news related to the Joe’s Sports bankruptcy case, Worldwide Distributors, the buying group that has counted G.I. Joe’s as a Class A member since 1978, has filed suit against Wells Fargo Retail Finance and Crystal Capital Fund Management as agents
SIA: SnowSports Feb. Sales Decline
Snow sports market sales declined 16% overall in February 2009 versus February 2008, according to the most recent SIA Retail Audit Topline Report. Snow sports equipment sales were particularly hard hit in February, as consumers hesitated to purchase big
JJB Sports Proposes New Deal with Landlords
JJB Sports PLC, the U.K. sporting goods chain, has finalized terms for company voluntary arrangements (CVA) as it looks to save its remaining stores. This CVA enables a company to reach an agreement with its unsecured creditors and restructure debts…
March Outdoor Sales Showing Positive Signs
While the specialty outdoor industry started the fiscal year slowly in February, sales seem to be picking up in March. Many retailers who spoke with The B.O.S.S. Report are seeing the retail environment slowly regain some health after one of the most diff
American Rec Names New CEO
American Recreation Products appointed Dale Philippi to the position of president and chief executive officer. He replaces Jim Baumann, who is leaving the company…
Clean Water Act Legislation is Reintroduced in U.S. Senate
The Clean Water Restoration Act, which will protect drinking water, as well as the streams, lakes and wetlands that are important to fish, wildlife and outdoor recreation, has been reintroduced in the U.S. Senate…
ATK Awarded Four-Year Contract to Operate Lake City Army Ammunition Plant
Alliant Techsystems, a manufacturer of smal-caliber ammunition, has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Contracting Center, Rock Island, Ill., to continue operating the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant for an additio
Michigan’s Frey Foundation Gives $160,000 Grant to DU
A major environmental effort in southwestern Michigan recently got a boost. The conservation organization Ducks Unlimited (DU) received a grant of $160,000 from the Frey Foundation. The grant will be used to protect and restore valuable habitat through DU
