Zumiez Reports 3% Comp Decline

Zumiez Inc. reported sales for the five-weeks ended April 5 increased 11.3% to $31.5 million, compared to $28.3 million a year ago. Comps declined 3% versus a 17% gain a year ago…

Louisville Slugger Moves Bat Manufacturing to China

Hillerich & Bradsby, the maker of Louisville Slugger, is shutting down its manufacturing facility in Ontario, CA, and moving the operations to China, according to a report in the Courier-Journal of Louisville. The Ontario plant, which made aluminum and co

Wilson Continues Breast Cancer Sponsorship

Wilson Sporting Goods Co. recently extended its global partnership with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). When the partnership began in 1998, Wilson donated a portion of the proceeds from the sales of all its women’s sporting goods products to

Primo Sports Launches Sports Equipment Company

Primo Sport, Inc., the creators of Neverflat ball technology, announced plans to launch their own sporting goods company. Primo Sport will design, manufacture and sell a range of sports products that apply the latest materials science know-how to sports e

Report:: Burton Lays Off 30

Burton Snowboards reportedly let go of approximately 30 employees company wide, according to a report on the website of Transworld Business. Sources told the trade magazine that the company has eliminated The Syndicate staff on the West Coast, as well as

Under Armour to Sponsor the University of Utah

Under Armour, Inc. and The University of Utah announced a multi-faceted five-year partnership that designates Under Armour as the official performance apparel and footwear outfitter for the University of Utah football team. Under Armour will supply Utah&#

Nation’s Best Sports Partners with GE

Nation's Best Sports announced a multi-year agreement to provide the GE Money Sport Finance program through more than 1,000 retail locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. The consumer credit program, managed by GE Money's Sales Finance unit, e

Women’s Sports Foundation Names CEO

Women's Sports Foundation announced the appointment of Karen Durkin as its CEO. Durkin joins the Foundation from the National Hockey League (NHL), where she served as executive vice president of communications and brand strategy…

NSGA: Exercise Walking Remains No. 1 Fitness Activity

Exercise walking, which experienced 2.7% growth in 2007, remains the No. 1 participation activity surveyed by the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA), a position it has held since 1990. Data contained in NSGA’s annual “Sports Participation – Series

Orange 21 Posts $8M Loss for 2007

Orange 21 Inc. reported consolidated net sales increased 10% to $46.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 from $42.4 million a year ago. The Carlsbad, CA-based company, whose primary brand is the Spy Optic sunglass and goggle line, lost $7.99 mi

Shock Doctor Flipped to New P.E. Firm….

Shock Doctor Inc. was acquired by Norwest Equity Partners, gaining a much-needed larger equity partner that will help the protective gear company expand into new areas – particularly action sports – as well as pursue acquisitions. NEP acquired an approxi

adidas Shifting U.S. Staff to Reg’l Offices…

Adidas America Inc. appears to be making moves to decentralize some sales operations while moving customer service and credit functions from its Portland, Ore. headquarters to its expanded facilities in Spartanburg, SC over the next six months…

Sports Belle Recovering After Fire…

Sports Belle Inc., the sports uniform supplier based in Knoxville, Tenn., is recovering after a fire on March 16 destroyed its headquarters and main factory in Knoxville. The facility employed 50 people…

Vietnam Nike Factory Remains Closed…

A strike at a Nike factory in Vietnam closed down the plant last week after a pay dispute led to a walkout by as many as 20,000 workers. Workers at the Taiwanese-owned factory went on strike last Monday at the Ching Luh factory in southern Long An provinc