Ahnu Takes Responsibility For its Footprint Seriously
When Ahnu Footwear was launched in 2007, concerns for the environment and social responsibility ranked as high as innovative product design. The mythological Celtic goddess of balance and well-being inspires the Ahnu brand name, and company co-founder Jim
Making Lifestyle Apparel Look Like a Million Bucks
Ask an outdoor retailer or apparel brand manager to identify mistakes and problem areas in lifestyle apparel merchandising, and they will quickly start to tick them off, 1-2-3-4-5. The list is long. Our panel of experts suggests that by paying more attent
LaCrosse to Consolidate Distribution in Indianapolis
LaCrosse Footwear, Inc. will consolidate its two distribution centers in La Crosse, WI into one world-class facility in Indianapolis, IN to improve its operating efficiencies. Completion for the project is targeted for the first half of 2009. The Midwest
3N2 Becomes Footwear Sponsor for National Pro Fastpitch
Orlando's 3N2 has been named an official sponsor and footwear provider of National Pro Fastpitch (NPF). As sponsor, 3N2 will be marketed in each NPF ballpark as well as on the ProFastpitch.com website. 3N2 footwear will be made available to all playe
Edmonton’s United Cycle Honored
The Retail Council of Canada (RCC) announced that independent retailer United Cycle, a family-owned and operated business serving Albertans for over 90 years, will be honored with the Visa Ambassador Award at the upcoming STORE Conference in Toronto June
Polartec Names APEX Design Winners
Polartec, LLC, the developer announced the North American APEX Design Award winners for 2008. The award goes to the best-of-the-best Polartec based garments that will be available to consumers in fall 2008…
Foot Locker Sees Brighter Days Ahead in the Mall
Foot Locker Inc. is striking a positive tone for the future of the mall business as the world’s-largest-athletic-footwear-retailer gets a better handle on its U.S. business and provides a rosier outlook for the year ahead…
NSGA: Tennis Leads Participation Growth in 2007
According to the National Sporting Goods Association's 2007 sports participation survey, tennis was America's fastest growing sport, growing 18.7% to 12.3 million participants for the year. Meanwhile, the survey saw the women’s market continue
Easton-Bell Working with Big Chains on Inventory
Easton-Bell Sports is developing specific programs to address larger retailers’ concerns about inventory, according to comments by new president and CEO Paul Harrington. The new CEO described the order book at EBS as “strong,” and said initial sell-in w
Canadian Cycle Shop Honored
United Cycle, a family-owned and operated business serving Albertans for over 90 years, will be honoured with the Retail Council of Canada's Visa Ambassador Award at the upcoming STORE Conference in Toronto June 2-3.
Tubbs Snowshoes Names Events Manager
Wendy Miller has joined Tubbs Snowshoes as the company's new events manager. Her responsibilities will include the planning and coordination of the Tubbs Romp to Stomp Series, the company’s successful breast cancer fund-raising event series…
ForeFront Appoints McTasney as CFO
ForeFront Group, Inc. named Brian J. McTasney, as its new CFO. Most recently Mr. McTasney served as CFO of Griffin Technology in Nashville, Tennessee, a $160 million dollar product design company which develops hardware and software for the Mac and PC mar
Perry Ellis Q1 Swim Business Up
Perry Ellis International saw swimwear revenues climb 15% in the first quarter, driven by Jantzen, Nike Swim, Perry Ellis Swim, and Jag. Gross margins improved by over 200 basis points. Management said Nike's growth was driven by men's, women&#
Hibbett Post Slight Comp Gain on Strong April
Hibbett Sports, Inc. posted a healthy sales increase for the first quarter with comps just a sneeze into positive territory. The company has completed its JDA software conversion and has now moved on to the enterprise planning piece, turning on the more d
ASICS Sales Up 16% in 2008; Expects Better 2009
ASICS Corp. saw strength across the globe drive sales for fiscal 2008, as footwear and equipment both grew, but apparel sagged slightly. Overall, the company reported a 16.3% jump in net revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31 to ¥226.17 billion ($1.9
