Report: JJB to Close 46 Lifestyle Stores

Reports out of the U.K. have KPMG, which was named administrator of JJB's lifestyle Original Shoe Company and Qube stores, closing 46 of the 77 door in operation. This move will in turn cause 438 positions to become unnecessary for the retailers…

BJ’s January Comps Hurt by Fuel Sales

BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc. reported net sales for fiscal January increased 0.9% to $656.7 million from $651.0 million last year. On a comparable club basis, January sales decreased by 0.7%, including a negative impact from sales of gasoline of approximatel

Gottschalks Posts Strong January Comps Increase

Gottschalks Inc. reported same store sales for the month of January increased 13.3% over the same month last year. Total sales for the four-week period increased 10.6% to $33.3 million compared to $30.1 million in the same period of fiscal 2008…

Kohl’s Posts 13.4% Drop in January Comps

Kohl’s Corporation saw a 9.0% decline in net sales for the month of January to $720.3 million from $791.4 million last year. On a comparable store basis, sales decreased 13.4%. Total sales for the year decreased 0.5% from the prior year. On a comparable s

TJX Co.’s Reports 4% Decline in January Comps

The TJX Companies, Inc. saw a 6% decline in net sales for fiscal January to $1.0 billion, down from the $1.1 billion achieved last year. For the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2009, sales reached $18.7 billion, up 2% from the $18.4 billion achieved during the

Costco Comps Slip 2% in January

Costco Wholesale Corporation reported net sales of $5.10 billion for the month of January, down 0.2% from $5.11 billion for the same period last year. Comparable store sales for the month declined 2.0% after an increase of 7.0% last year. For the first tw

Twins Enterprise Rebrands as Twins ’47 and Banner ’47

Twins Enterprise is shifting directions to show off the brands heritage and the unique story of how the company has come to be a major player in the sports licensed products market. Twins Enterprises is launching new brand platforms for its two main busin

Lorpen Names U.S. Sales Manager

Lorpen reported that Bruce Barrows has been hired as U.S. sales manager. Barrows will be responsible for the marketing and sales of Lorpen socks within the U.S. and growing the Lorpen brand through existing dealers and by increasing the size of the Lorpe

Spyder’s de Witte Adds President-Europe to Role

Spyder’s EVP of Global Sales, Cees de Witte, has accepted the position of President Spyder-Europe in addition to his EVP role. He will relocate to Switzerland to lead the Spyder global sales force and subsidiary brand Cloudveil’s sales outside of North Am

Wolverine Acquires Chaco

Wolverine World Wide, Inc. has acquired Chaco, a performance outdoor footwear brand based in Colorado with a unique heritage and strong consumer following. The acquisition also includes the ULU brand. The brand had global revenue of more than $20 million

Gaiam Named Licensee for Biggest Loser

Gaiam, Inc. has entered a new licensing deal to become the exclusive licensee for all The Biggest Loser fitness accessories for the next three years. The branded accessories will be integrated into each successive season of the show, beginning with Season

USTA Names Chief Diversity Officer

The USTA has named Kevin Clayton as Chief Diversity Officer, USTA. In this role, Clayton will be dedicated to increasing the diversity initiatives throughout the entire organization, encompassing professional and community tennis, the Sections and Commun

Kris Versteegen Re-Joins The SportsOneSource Group

The SportsOneSource Group announced that Kris Versteegen has re-joined the company in a new role. Versteegen, who was an original member of the editorial team at SportsNewsSource, LLC that launched the Sports Executive Weekly and The B.O.S.S. Report week

BOSG Names Edmiston as Marketing Manager

The Boulder Outdoor Specialty Group has named Sue Edmiston as its marketing manager. Edmiston is a returning outdoor industry veteran, having built a wealth of marketing and sales experience at both Belle Baby Carriers and Mountainsmith…

Rawlings Taps Hultec to Produce Baseball Pills

Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc., the Official Baseball Supplier to Major League Baseball since 1977, will utilize a new supplier for the production of the “pill” for all Major League Baseballs. Hultec, an affiliate of Fort Worth, Texas based S & B T