Merchants: The Checks Are in the Mail

Merchants across the nation will receive checks this week for approximately $1.1 billion remaining from a 2003 settlement in the landmark antitrust case involving Visa and MasterCard-branded signature debit cards, according to the law firm Constantine Can

NPS Names New Congressional Liaison

Don Hellmann has been named the National Park Service Assistant Director for Legislative and Congressional Affairs. His appointment as the agency’s top liaison to the United States Senate and House of Representatives starts immediately…

SIA: SnowSports Sales Up 10% from August to October

Snow sports sales rose 12% in unit sales and 10% in dollar sales from August through October, compared to the same period in 2008, according to the SnowSports Industries America Retail Audit released Wednesday. The report said inventories at specialty sto

Li Ning to Open U.S. Store in Portland

Chinese sports brand Li Ning will test the U.S. market with its first retail outlet outside of Asia by opening a store next month in Nike's backyard. Li Ning disclosed that it has established an R&D facility in Portland, OR to be close to its Asian s

The Bon-Ton Stores Secures Credit Line

A unit of GE Capital said it became co-collateral agent for a $625 million asset-based credit facility for The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. department store chain. The loan will be used to refinance existing debt and for working capital needs. GE Capital Markets

Exped Bolsters North American Team

Exped LLC, the North American subsidiary of Swiss gear maker Exped AG, has hired industry veteran Dave Perella as Director of Customer Service and Logistics…

Point6 Adds Reps in West

Point6, designer and manufacturer of wool socks, takes on two new sales representatives, Smoky Anderson and Owen Dennehy to cover areas in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and New Mexico…

OIA Taps Democrat to Head PAC, Recreational Lobbying

Outdoor Industry Association has named former Democratic operative Craig Mackey Director of Government Affairs. Mackey will lobby Congress on federal land use and recreation policy and manage OIA's two-year-old Political Action Committee (OIAPAC)…

Hi-Tec Entering U.S. Outerwear Market

Hi-Tec, which has become a well established value brand in outdoor footwear, said it will launch its first outerwear line in the United States at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market next month…

Retailers’ Emails Soared Over Weekend

Online retailers turned on the email spigot over the Thanksgiving holiday, according to new research from the direct marketing firm Smith-Harmon. The percentage of Web retailers sending out promotional emails set a record every day during the weekend…

Costco Comps Rise 1% in November, Excluding Gas

Costco Wholesale Corporation reported comp store sales for the four weeks and 13 weeks ended Nov. 29 rose 2% and 1% respectively in the United States. Excluding gas sales, U.S. comp sales were flat during the month and grew 2% during the 13 week period…

At The Buckle, Comps Growth Slows to 1.4%

The Buckle, Inc. announced comparable store net sales, for stores open at least one year, for the four-week period ended Nov. 28 increased 1.4% from comparable store net sales for the four-week period ended Nov. 29, 2008.

Wal-Mart Steps into World Cup Frenzy with FIFA Venture

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. said it will operate 2010 FIFA World Cup Official Event Stores in nearly all of its retail markets around the world. The collaboration with FIFA's exclusive worldwide master licensee, Global Brands Group, combines the world&#039