In an extension of the well-known Patagonia grants program that has given over $31 million to grassroots environmental organizations since 1985, the new Patagonia store in Austin is sponsoring a 'Land, Air & Water' silent auction and concert fro
Category: Apparel
Schutt, HotHead Sports Team Up for “Smart Helmet”
HotHead Technologies, Inc., an Atlanta-based enterprise committed to improving athletic safety through research-based technology, announced it is working closely with Schutt Sports to develop a commercially viable heat-sensing helmet insert, which can det
Against All Odds Files for Chapter 11 Protection
Against All Odds USA Inc., an operator of urban apparel and footwear retail stores, filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Newark, NJ. The chain has about $38 million in assets, and $35.9 million in liabilities. The chain operates 64 stores in shopping malls
Firearms Retailer Defense Fund Launched
A new not-for-profit organization dedicated to the legal defense of firearms retailers was announced Saturday at the AcuSport West Dealer Conferences in Salt Lake City, UT…
A Growing List of Companies Lower Guidance
As retailers released their disappointing December comps this week, many included revised guidance with their results and gave cover to the vendor side to lower expectation as well…
Black Diamond Opens Global Distribution Center
Black Diamond Equipment Ltd. has opened a new global distribution center near its Zhuhai, China headquarters. Located in a Free Trade Zone in the Guangdong province, the center will assist Black Diamond in locating the storage of inventory closer to vario
Vendors Restructure Under Economic Pressures
The body count from a brutal economy continued to mount last week as four more major manufacturers announced operation restructuring plans to welcome in what has been an exceptionally frosty New Year for vendors and retailers across the board…
CHAOS Headwear New Mid-Atlantic Reps
Chaos headwear has hired seasoned outdoor gear and snow sports representatives Sherry Krum and Chris Parsons for the East Coast-Mid Atlantic territory. Chaos and Chaos Thermal Regulation- CTR posted a record 40 percent growth for 2008; Krum and Parsons wi
SIA: Snow Sports YTD Sales Up 3% through November
According to SnowSports Industries America's (SIA), the snow sports market remained healthy with 3% growth August to November. Snow sports sales surpassed $917 million as the overall retail market faltered in the recession's nadir…
Vermont Organic Fiber Names Ed Kiniry CEO
Vermont Organic Fiber Co., based in Middlebury, VT, has hired veteran outdoor industry entrepreneur Edward ('Ed') Kiniry as CEO. Formerly, he was president of Winterquest, LLC, the parent company of Tubbs and Atlas snowshoes, selling the company
OIA: Nov. Outdoor Sales Slide
Outdoor Industry Association reported that retail sales for all core outdoor stores fell 11% in November. It marked the first month of overall dollar sales decline since the recession started in December 2007. All three store channels and all four major p
NSGA Confirms Key Speakers for Conference
Best Buy President & Chief Operating Officer Brian Dunn is among the featured speakers who have been confirmed for the 45th Annual NSGA Management Conference & 11th Annual Team Dealer Summit, which will be held May 3-6, 2009, at the Westin La Cantera Reso
Johnson Health Tech Sues Icon
Johnson Health Tech, parent company of Horizon Fitness, has sued Icon Health & Fitness, claiming that the company has produced products infringing on Johnson’s patent no. 7,316,633 of which pertains to an “exercise elliptical machine” patented in January
Study: Obese Now Outweigh the Overweight
A new study by the National Center for Health Statistics finds that the number of obese American adults outweighs the number of those who are considered merely overweight for the first time. The study shows that more than 34% of Americans are obese, compa
Sporting Goods Retailers Sued Over Switchblades
A class action claims that Wal-Mart, Cabela's, Dicks Sporting Goods and others are selling switchblade knives that they know are illegal in Texas…