Fleet Feet Boasts 17.5% Comp Gain in 2006

Fleet Feet recorded 19.9% growth in sales in 2006 surpassing $63 million in revenue compared to $52 million in 2005. Comp-store sales were up 17.5% on top of the 16.1% increase posted in 2005. The franchisor expects to add 7 more franchisees this year…

Payless to Acquire Collective

Payless ShoeSource inked a deal to acquire Collective International, a licensing platform that manages the Airwalk, Vision Street Wear, Lamar, Sims, LTD, genetic, Dukes, Rage, Ultra-Wheels and Skate Attack brands. When the deal closes, Collective will bec

Franklin Sports Underwrites SGMA Show Fees

Access to SGMA Spring Market is extended free of charge to all attendees registering through March 31, thanks to Franklin Sports, which is underwriting this month’s attendee registration fees – a savings of $50 per attendee…

NBA Sees Record All-Star Sales

The NBA said that on-site retail merchandise sales during All-Star 2007 in Las Vegas increased by 54% versus the prior sales record set in Los Angeles in 2004…

Sunglass Hut’s Turnaround Continues

Riding a new effort to reach more fashion-forward customers, Sunglass Hut just completed a two-year run of 32% comp gains in its North American stores, or about 16% a year…

Golf Town Sees 15% Annual Sales Increase

A strong fourth quarter led to a strong fiscal year for Canadian golf-specialty retailer Golf Town. For the fourth quarter, which ended December 31, 2006, net sales increased 16.4% to CA$37.7 million ($33.1 mm) from CA$32.4 million ($27.6 mm) on a 4.0% co

Life Fitness Inks iPod Deal

Life Fitness, a division of Brunswick Corporation, said it plans to offer seamless integration with Apple Inc.’s iPod players in several of its upcoming products…

Russell Corp. to Close Finishing Plant

Russell Corp. plans to close a plant in Alexander City, AL. More than 400 workers at the plant learned last week that they will be losing their jobs when the plant closes later in the year. Some of the 425 employees will be let go as early as March 12 and

Big 5 Announces Promotions

Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp named Richard A. Johnson as Executive Vice President and Shane O. Starr as Senior Vice President, Operations…

New Era Cap Opens Southern California Office

New Era Cap Company said it opened a new office for its Acton Sports Business Unit – 9842 Research Drive in Irvine, California. The company, based in Buffalo, said the move solidifies New Era's presence in the action sports industry and further comm

Golf Galaxy Launches Golf Education Website

Golf Galaxy, Inc. launched www.RalphMaltby.com, a new web site designed to help golfers improve their game through education and information on the technical aspects of design, technology, and equipment…

New Era Collaborates with Spike Lee on MLB Cap ads

New Era Cap Co., the official on-field cap of Major League Baseball (MLB), hired Spike DDB, the advertising agency founded by film director Spike Lee and DDB Worldwide, to produce and direct its latest television commercials, in support of the launch of i

Bonfire Snowboarding Hires Marketing Coordinator

Bonfire Snowboarding Co. said Rian Rhoe joined the firm as Marketing Coordinator, working under Director of Marketing, Amy Eichner. She will be based from Bonfire’s home office in Portland, OR where she will assist in the execution of public relations and

OIA Sets Agenda for Capitol Summit 2007

Every year, Outdoor Industry Association members gather in Washington D.C. to visit with their Representatives and Senators and lobby for issues that are important to the Outdoor Industry. OIA has held events similar to this for over a decade, but each ye

Nau Open For Business

Nau Inc., an environmentally friendly outdoor apparel company from Portland, is finally open for business. After years of preparation and development, the outdoor company launched its e-commerce Web site last week, and announced plans to open four retail