OIA: Nov. Outdoor Sales Slide
Outdoor Industry Association reported that retail sales for all core outdoor stores fell 11% in November. It marked the first month of overall dollar sales decline since the recession started in December 2007. All three store channels and all four major p
Johnson Health Tech Sues Icon
Johnson Health Tech, parent company of Horizon Fitness, has sued Icon Health & Fitness, claiming that the company has produced products infringing on Johnson’s patent no. 7,316,633 of which pertains to an “exercise elliptical machine” patented in January
Sporting Goods Retailers Sued Over Switchblades
A class action claims that Wal-Mart, Cabela's, Dicks Sporting Goods and others are selling switchblade knives that they know are illegal in Texas…
The Finish Line Shrinks Loss, Inventory in Third Quarter
Strong inventory and cost controls combines with a decent performance in footwear to help The Finish Line slightly trim its loss from continuing operations in the third quarter ended November 29. These improvements helped offset continued weakness in appa
More Vendors Restructure Under Economic Pressures
Head N.V. Group plans to close its tennis ball factory in Phoenix, AZ in March of this year. In 2007, the company began manufacturing tennis balls in a new factory in China, and has now made the decision to shut the U.S. facility and manufacture its worl
Zumiez December Comps Fall 12%
Zumiez, Inc. reported a 12.3% decline in same-store sales after a 3.9% increase in comps for the year ago period. Management said the decrease in comps was driven by a decrease in store transactions and a decrease in average unit retail…
RECALL: RockShox Domain Bicycle Forks
About 175 bicycles with RockShox Domain 302 and 318 bicycle forks, manufactured in Taiwan and imported by SRAM, have been recalled because the forks can detach from the bicycle frames…
Mountain High Sees Record
Mountain High Resort in Wrightwood, CA reported a record-breaking holiday season with skier visits up more than 40% over last year for the two-week Christmas period…
New Balance Appoints EVP, North American Sales
Boston-based New Balance announces the appointment of Chris Quinn as Executive Vice President, North American Sales. Quinn was most recently with Folgers Coffee as Sr. Vice President Sales and Chief Customer Office…
Suunto Names Director of Marketing
As of Jan. 19, Suunto North America will name Nate Randle as their Director of Marketing. Randle comes to Suunto North America with 10 years of marketing and sales experience most recently with Callaway Golf Company…
Pipeline Teams Up with Hawaii Intercontinental Corp.
Pipeline International said for Spring/ Summer 2009 it has joined into exclusive distributor partnership with Hawaii Intercontinental Corporation (HIC). The company said the agreement covers all soft and hard good categories. Products will be sold to depa
Schutt, HotHead Sports Team Up for “Smart Helmet”
HotHead Technologies, Inc., an Atlanta-based enterprise committed to improving athletic safety through research-based technology, announced it is working closely with Schutt Sports to develop a commercially viable heat-sensing helmet insert, which can det
Firearms Retailer Defense Fund Launched
A new not-for-profit organization dedicated to the legal defense of firearms retailers was announced Saturday at the AcuSport West Dealer Conferences in Salt Lake City, UT…
Black Diamond Opens Global Distribution Center
Black Diamond Equipment Ltd. has opened a new global distribution center near its Zhuhai, China headquarters. Located in a Free Trade Zone in the Guangdong province, the center will assist Black Diamond in locating the storage of inventory closer to vario
CHAOS Headwear New Mid-Atlantic Reps
Chaos headwear has hired seasoned outdoor gear and snow sports representatives Sherry Krum and Chris Parsons for the East Coast-Mid Atlantic territory. Chaos and Chaos Thermal Regulation- CTR posted a record 40 percent growth for 2008; Krum and Parsons wi
