REI Sees 8.2% 2007 Comps Growth

Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) reported sales of $1.34 billion for fiscal year 2007, growing 13.5% from 2006. In addition, REI’s comp store sales showed continued strength in 2007 at 8.2%, marking three consecutive years of 8% or higher. For the year,

Zumiez Comp Sales up 1.7% in January

Action sports retailer Zumiez Inc. said comp store sales increased 1.7% for the four-week period ended Feb. 2, 2008, versus a comparable store sales increase of 12.4% for the four-week period ended Feb. 3, 2007. Total net sales for the period increased 16

LaCrosse Declares Special Dividend

In a sign of financial strength, LaCrosse Footwwear, Inc.'s board of directors approved a special dividend of $1 per share of common stock and said it would begin paying regular dividends on a quarterly rather than an annual basis.

Centerstone Software Processed $1.2Bn in Orders in 2007

CenterStone Technology’s e-commerce solutions, Escape and iVendix, processed more than $1.2 billion in wholesale transactions in 2007. The number of companies actively using iVendix grew 53 percent to 9,725 over 2006. iVendix processed 144,002 orders, an

Electra Bike Names Bradley VP of Product Development

Electra Bicycle Company named Dean Bradley as vice president of product development. An early convert to BMX and mountain biking, Dean has been a magazine editor, an on-air media personality and a highly accomplished product development manager most recen

CadenceTV Launched for Group Workouts

Cadence Cycling and Multisport Centers launched CadenceTV, an interactive video platform that allows cyclists to train and participate in live group workouts from a remote location. CadenceTV will stream live video of Cadence's two-time daily indoor

Sports Direct Partners with China’s ITAT

Sports Direct International PLC, the UK sporting goods conglomerate, announced a strategic relationship with China's ITAT Group to move into the rapidly expanding Chinese retail market before the Beijing Olympics in August. Sports Direct will invest

Mizuno Launches New Global Tagline

Mizuno Corporation, having celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 2006, is launching a new global tagline, “Never Settle,” in 2008 to take the legendary specialty sports company into the next century of leadership in sporting goods technology, innovation,

Saucony Names Veterans to Sales and Marketing Posts

Saucony, Inc. named two veterans to senior positions in sales and marketing. The performance running brand appointed Mary (Creedon) O’Brien to the role of vice president of marketing and promoted Pete Calichman to vice president of national accounts…

Mizuno Sees Net Income Drop on Q3 Sales Gain

Mizuno Corp. saw first half net sales increase 9.5% to ¥130.11 billion ($1.15 bn) from ¥118.81 billion ($1.01 bn) in the year-ago half. Gross margins declined 90 basis points to 41.6% of sales from 42.5% last year. Net income dropped 22.0% to ¥2.87 billio

Bakers Footwear Gets Funding

Bakers Footwear Group issued 350,000 shares of common stock and entered into a $7.5 million subordinated secured term loan with Private Equity Management Group (PEMG) and an entity affiliated with PEMG. Bakers received net proceeds of about $6.7 million a

Sport Chalet to Open Four Stores in ’08

Sports Chalet Inc. anticipates opening three to four new stores during calendar 2008. The new stores will be focused on adding density to current markets, namely California and Arizona. In addition, the company will relocate its flagship La Canada Flintr

Sports Chalet Posts Q3 Loss

Sport Chalet, Inc. reported that including a non-cash impairment charge, its net loss for Q3 was $682,000, or 5 cents a share. On January 14, the retailer warned that it would lose between 6 cents to 9 cents a share after a charge of approximately $2.1 m