NSGA Sporting Goods 2008 Sales Forecast

The projected sales for the running/jogging sector of the sporting goods market has shown steady improvement over last year and is expected to continue this growth in 2008. Sales of running and jogging clothing rose 25 percent to $909 million from $726 mi

Suunto Partners with Runner’s World

Suunto is planning a series of grassroots events at running specialty stores through a new partnership with Runner’s World Magazine. The program targets seven key regions – Texas, California, New York City Metro, Atlanta Metro, Seattle, Chicago and Florid

NB 768 Named

Health magazine has named the New Balance 768 women’s running shoe a “2008 America’s Healthiest Fitness Award” winner for best running shoe in the footwear category…

Aruba Sponsors Hansons Distance Project

Aruba Sport Eyewear has agreed to sponsor the Hansons Distance Project (HDP) through 2012. The Hansons Distance Project is a training facility for elite athletes who aspire to become the best in their fields…

ASICS Sues Steven Madden for Infringing its Trademark

ASICS Corporation and its U.S. subsidiary sued Steven Madden for infringing on its stripe design trademark in U.S. District Court in California last week in violation of a confidential agreement reached in 2006. The suit alleges that several of Madden&#03

Sherwood-Drolet Under New Ownership

Investment firm Carpe Diem Growth Capital acquired Canada-based Sherwood-Drolet Inc., maker of Sher-Wood and SWD branded hockey sticks, in bankruptcy proceedings. Carpe Diem renamed the business Sher-Wood Hockey Inc., and appointed Ralph Trott, a former e

Lands’ End Exec Named Under Armour President

David McCreight, most recently president of Lands’ End, was named president of Under Armour Inc. He is expected to join Under Armour in September and will be responsible for developing and executing long-term growth strategy, implementing new practices to

Timberland Sells GoLite to Former Exec

On June 13, New England Footwear LLC closed a deal to acquire the GoLite footwear business from Timberland. Douglas Clark, who was previously VP of Timberland’s Invention Factory, formed Portsmouth, NH-based New England Footwear two weeks prior to the dea

Horny Toad Acquires Nau Assets

Lifestyle apparel maker Horny Toad has acquired the Nau outdoor brand, including its trademark, URL, and all intellectual property such as product designs. In addition, the company acquired the physical assets of Nau’s design offices for an undisclosed su

Golfsmith’s Thompson to Steer Performance, Inc.

Bicycle retailer Performance, Inc. has named Jim Thompson—who previously guided Golfsmith International Holdings Inc. through its IPO—as CEO. Performance’s annual sales are an estimated $225 million, and Thompson sees substantial growth ahead for the mult

SGMA Survey: Americans Delusional Over Their Health…

Despite widespread concerns over obesity, diabetes and other health issues, most Americans believe they are in better-than-average health for their age. According to the SGMA’s “2008 State of the Industry Consumer Survey,” the industry faces an uphill bat

K-Swiss Steps Into Customized Footwear

In a nod to both versatility and performance, K-Swiss is now launching miSOUL, a customizable and interchangeable modular insole/midsole system. The technology will first be offered in performance tennis shoes in January 2009, and in performance running s