Skechers USA Settles Three Class Action Suits…

Skechers USA Inc. has reportedly reached a tentative settlement in three class-action lawsuits that were brought by former and current store managers, assistant store managers and employees of the company's retail stores who accused the company of vi

Bell Acquires Sports Instruments…

Bell Sports has purchased Sports Instruments a manufacturer and designed of heart rate monitors, cycle computers and sports watches. Bell will market and sell the Sports Instruments product line through its network of more than 3,000 independent bike deal

Mass Retailers Put Pressure on Outdoor Equipment…

Earlier this month The B.O.S.S. Report reviewed OIA’s bi-annual retail top-line report and covered in detail the macro trends in today’s retail environment as well as the performance of the Outdoor Specialty Market (See BOSS_0449). This week’s issue will

Nikwax N.A Opens New Canadian Fulfillment Center…

Nikwax N.A. has opened a new facility to handle fulfillment of all Nikwax products into Canadian markets. The new Nikwax fulfillment center, based in Richmond, British Columbia has been established in response to the “wildfire” growth the company has expe

Bell Acquires Sports Instruments…

Bell Sports has purchased Sports Instruments a manufacturer and designed of heart rate monitors, cycle computers and sports watches. Bell will market and sell the Sports Instruments product line through its network of more than 3,000 independent bike deal

Osprey Custom Program Heats Up

Osprey launched a new custom molded hip-belt program at OR Summer Market this past year which is very similar to the custom molded ski boots available at many snowsports specialty retailers. The program requires Osprey dealers to purchase a specially desi

PPA Launches Consulting Services and Elects Board Members…

The Professional Paddlesports Association has lunched a new business consulting program dubbed, ‘PaddlePro Business Evaluation Programs.’ The organization describes it as an exclusive, onsite peer evaluation program for members desiring to improve the eff

MSR Delays XGK EX Release; CD Looks to Sell SmartTrack

In a letter to retailers, MSR recently announced that the release of MSR’s new XGK EX stove has been postponed three months to May 1, 2005. According to the letter, The original release date of February 1, 2005, “would have limited our ability to test thi

Catazine Boosts EMS Holiday Business…

In November EMS began shipping their first mail order catalog since 1983 – a 180 page color ‘catazine’ combining product information and content. EMS printed 750,000 copies and ahs distributed 650,000 of those to its customers, while the remainder was sen

Spy Optics Launches IPO…

Spy Optics has launched a successful IPO on the Nasdaq National Exchange under the corporate name Orange.21 with the ticker symbol ORNG. Orange.21 offered 2.48 million shares initially, and then upping the number to 3.48 million shares when an internal st

Giant and Merida Expect a Record 2004…

According to the China Economic News Service, Taiwan’s two largest bicycle manufacturers are posting record sales and profits this year. Last week BOSS reported that Taiwan exports were at an all time high in both units and value, with ASP’s climbing due