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…
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
Shimano Rides Cycling to Strong Sales Increase in Q1
Shimano Inc. said net sales at its cycling business rose by ¥7.8 billion ($7.4 mm), or 22%, to ¥43.3 billion ($411 mm) in the first quarter ended March 31. Fishing tackle net sales, however, dipped by ¥142 million ($1.4 mm), or 1.2%, to ¥11.4 billion ($10
Negative Comp Drags Down First Quarter Bottom Line for Zumiez
Zumiez Inc. reported a mid-teens increase in net sales for the first quarter as the addition of 21 new stores offset comparable store sales that came in just below flat. The negative comp hurt the bottom line as well, de-leveraging occupancy costs and dr
The Long, Cold Winter Boosts Q1, but Now Hurts Spring Apparel Sales
Many specialty outdoor retailers had a much more profitable first quarter this year as a record snow pack and cold weather helped them clear winter merchandise, often at much higher margins. But the long, snowy and cold winter has also stunted planned spr
Columbia Trims HQ Staff
The Oregonian reported that Columbia Sportswear trimmed headcount at its headquarters near Beaverton through layoffs and voluntary buyouts. The newspaper said company spokesman John Fread would not say how many workers took the buyout offer or were cut i
Patagonia Exits Paddlesports
Patagonia told retailers last week that it was exiting the paddlesports business and put all its 2008 product on close-out….
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…
