Forzani Sees Flat Holiday Sales
The Forzani Group Ltd. reported total sales for the ten weeks ended Jan. 11 were flat to the prior year. On a same-store basis, total retail system sales were down 1.8%, although sales were stronger in the week before and the week after Christmas…
Sport Chalet Amends Credit Line
On January 9, Sport Chalet Inc. amended its credit agreement with lenders led by Bank of America to loosen its terms, according to a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The filing noted that as of December 31, an event of default had occurre
OIF: Participation Up, But Youth Interest Dropping
In the 2008 Outdoor Recreation Participation Report, the Outdoor Foundation found that while overall participation in outdoor recreation among Americans is increasing, the connection to nature among youth is declining…
Congress Moves on Trade Action
Congress has been back in session for little more than a week and already trade issues are taking center stage. Last week, Reps. Charles Rangel, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, and Sander Levin, Chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee
Buffalo Communications Promotes Tom Williams to VP
Buffalo Communications, a division of Billy Casper Golf, has promoted Tom Williams to VP. In his new position, Williams will help direct corporate strategy while overseeing the company's golf and lifestyle products division. He will also manage Buffa
Icebreaker Appoints Schrimsher to VP, USA sales
Icebreaker, the New Zealand merino wool specialist, hired Barry Schrimsher as vice president of USA sales effective immediately. A native of Portland and a graduate of the University of Oregon, Schrimsher is a 24-year outdoor industry entrepreneur. He est
Yakima Acquires RACKandRoll
Yakima Products Inc. has acquired RACKandROLL, LLC, a manufacturer of high performance multi-sport trailers based in Frederick, MD. John Koch, former CEO of RACKandROLL, will stay involved and remain available to facilitate a seamless transfer of goods an
NSGA Establishes Scholarships To Honor Jim Faltinek
The National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) has established the James L. Faltinek Scholarship Program, named in honor of retired President & CEO Jim Faltinek. Each year, a total of five scholarships to the NSGA Management Conference & Team Dealer Summi
Chinese Brand Signs Tennis Star
Chinese sportswear manufacturer Anta has signed Jelena Jankovic, the top-ranked female tennis player, as brand ambassador. Jankovic, whose contract with Reebok recently expired, will start wearing Anta sports apparel, shoes and accessories worldwide start
Rawlings Taps Hultec to Produce Baseball Pills
Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc., the Official Baseball Supplier to Major League Baseball since 1977, will utilize a new supplier for the production of the “pill” for all Major League Baseballs. Hultec, an affiliate of Fort Worth, Texas based S & B T
Carve Designs Names Reps
Women’s surf lifestyle manufacturer, Carve Designs, hired 3 new sales representatives for the brand: Paul Tversky in the Mid-Atlantic territory, Bashford and Associates in the Southeast region, and Megalops Inc. in Florida…
Wenger Sponsors Patagonian Expedition Race
Wenger, maker of the Genuine Swiss Army Knife and Precision Outdoor Equipment, agreed to a three-year title sponsorship of the Patagonian Expedition Race. Beginning in 2009, the international event – which has become known as “the last wild race” – will n
Sportsclick to Acquire Checkered Flag Sports
Sportsclick Inc. entered into a letter of intent to purchase all of the outstanding shares of Southprint Inc., which operates Checkered Flag Sports) (“Southprint”). Southprint is a manufacturer of authentic, licensed NASCAR apparel. SportsClick is a Canad
Deckers, Wolverine Address Guidance
Deckers Outdoor re-affirmed guidance of 52% growth in sales and 40% EPS expansion and is on target to reach its goal of $1 billion in sales by 2012, said CFO Tom Hillebrandt during the ICR conference last week. The company also re-affirmed its previously
Retailers Also Tighten Inventory
Big 5 Sporting Goods management presented at the ICR conference touting their value-based business model as one that will see particular success with the new value-conscious consumer. Chairman, president and CEO Steve Miller noted that Big 5 average $213