Hanesbrands Pledges $2 Million to Theater

Hanesbrands Inc., the parent of Champion and Hanes, has pledged $2 million to The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County to build a new performing arts theatre adjacent to the historic Sawtooth Building in downtown Winston-Salem. The 300-seat fa

Sole Technology to Sell Directly in Spain

Sole Technology, the maker of etnies, éS, Emerica, ThirtyTwo and Altamont, announced their plans for direct distribution in the Spanish market. This announcement follows last year’s move to distribute direct in the United Kingdom. Calling Spain “a Europea

AthleticBaby Adds New VP of Sales

AthleticBaby, makers of health-and-fitness products for babies and toddlers, announced the addition of Steve Mann to its executive team. Mann joins the organization as the new VP of Sales. Mann has more than 15 years experience in the consumer products in

Geox to Introduce Athletic Shoes

Geox SpA, based in Milan, launched its first athletic footwear line with a new, patented technology aimed at allowing an athlete's foot to breath more efficiently. The launch of Geox Net is focused in Italy. A wider launch is scheduled for 2009…

Dickies buys Kodiak Group Holdings

Williamson-Dickie Manufacturing Co., maker of the Dickies brand of work apparel, has bought Kodiak Group Holdings Inc., a Canadian work and outdoor footwear maker. Financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed…

Broder Bros. Posts Loss

Broder Bros., Co. reported net sales in the fourth quarter slipped to $232.7 million compared to $240.9 million a year ago. Including a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $87.3 million, the fourth quarter 2007 loss from operations was $85.9 million c

Play It Again Sports Launches Credit Card

Play It Again Sports announced a multi-year agreement to provide the GE Money Sport Finance Program to its U.S. customers. The private label credit program, managed by GE Money’s Sales Finance unit, enables the chain's customers to take advantage of

Heelys Opens European Office

Heelys, Inc. announced the opening of its European office, Heeling Sports EMEA (SPRL). The new company, based in Brussels, Belgium, will serve as the company's European headquarters and extends Heelys' brand and business development in Western,

Hillerich and Bradsby Co. Names CFO

Hillerich & Bradsby Co., the makers of Louisville Slugger bats, has announced Allan Klimusko as VP and CFO. Klimusko has 25 years experience in the accounting field, with more than 12 years experience in the sporting goods industry. He previously worked

Sporting Goods Vendors Post Surprising Q4…

In looking at vendor side public companies for the 2007 fourth quarter, the sporting goods industry proved to be surprisingly resilient in an economy that seemed to head further south amid the ongoing credit crisis and subprime lending fiasco. Nonetheless

DSW Expects Sharp Drop in First Half 2008 Profits…

DSW Inc. predicted earnings in the first half of 2008 would be “significantly below” the 68 cents per share reported for the first half of 2007. The off-price shoe chain also forecast negative comps for the period. The forecast came as DSW reported that Q

West Marine Posts $65.7M Loss in Q4…

West Marine reported a Q4 loss of $65.7 million, or $3.00 a share, wider than its year-earlier loss of $12.8 million, or 60 cents a share. Results for the latest quarter include a goodwill charge of $2.25 per share as well as charges of 8 cents per share