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

Avia Partners with Troy Lee Designs

Avia announced a new partnership deal with Troy Lee Designs (TLD), the southern California-based company that produces custom graphic designs for the “world’s fastest racers.” TLD will co-create a collection of AVIA racing shoes with a limited release per

Wolverine to Acquire Cushe Footwear Brand

Wolverine World Wide, Inc. announced the acquisition of the Cushe (pronounced “cushy”) footwear brand, a move the company says will drive new global opportunities and leverage the strength of Wolverine's proven business model and operating infrastruc

J.C. Penney Dec. Comps Fall 8.1%

J. C. Penney Company, Inc. comparable store sales decreased 8.1% for the five-week period ended Jan. 3, 2009, better than the company’s guidance for a low-double digit decrease…

December Comp Sales Flat for Ross Stores

Ross Stores, Inc. saw sales of $802 million for the five weeks ended Jan. 3, 2009, a 6% increase over the $755 million in sales for the five weeks ended Jan. 5, 2008. Same store sales for the five weeks ended Jan. 3, 2009 were flat on top of a 3% increase

Nordstrom Comps Drop 10.6% in December

Nordstrom, Inc. net sales declined 8.0% for fiscal December to $1.13 billion from $1.22 billion for the year-ago period. Same-store sales for December decreased 10.6% compared with the same period in fiscal 2007…