Retail Execs Upbeat Despite Weak Nov…

U.S. retail executives were rather hopeful for a strong start to the Holiday shopping season, based on the latest findings of the NRF Executive Opinion Survey, a monthly index by the National Retail Federation. The tempered outlook in the October survey

Outdoor Specialty Sees Increased Competition…

Outdoor Industry Association has published the bi-annual top-line retail sales report for the outdoor industry. The reports include a 12 month review (last six months of 2003 and first 6 months of 2004 roll-up) and details specialty and chain store sales

Casual Market Fuels Outlast Growth…

Outlast has been expanding its horizons and looking to new markets beyond technical outdoor gear. The company said that it has grown five-fold since 2001. During this same period, Outlast has introduced a variety of new, improved products; lowered costs;

Huffy Corp. to Sell Snowboard Assets to Salter Group…

As BOSS reported last week, Huffy Corporation filed a motion in U.S. Bankruptcy court seeking approval to sell its Hespeler hockey, in-line skates, and action sports businesses to Forzani Group Ltd. in a deal worth $1.6 million. Huffy was also soliciting

VF Outdoor Coalition Outlines New Management Roles…

Mike Corvino has been been promoted to president of JanSport. He was most recently VP of sales and merchandising for VF Imagewear. He will report to Mike Egeck, president of VF Outdoor – Americas, whi made the announcement last week amid a flurry of oth

Malden Unions Ready for Strike…

Malden Mills largest union, representing over 700 employees, rejected the company’s “best and final” contract offer and could go on strike as early as December 7. According to local papers, union members voted 231-198 to authorize a strike and reject the

OIA Comments on Utah’s Price Management Plan…

Outdoor Industry Association VP of Government affairs Myrna Johnson recently released a letter written to the Utah BLM commenting on the agency’s ‘Price Management Plan,’ which affects Desolation and Nine Mile Canyon, The Green River, The San Rafael Swell

Oakley Stock Falls on Thump’s Slump…

Shortly after the Thanksgiving holiday weekend several analysts downgraded Oakley stock, citing poor sell-through of the much hyped THUMP sunglass/MP-3 player. OO shares fell 12.3% for the week to close at $12.03 on Friday evening…

Alpina Sports Expands into Canada…

On the heels of a taking over ownership of the US-based Alpina Sports Corp, Frank Thibodeau, ASC’s president & CEO, told BOSS that his company has expanded its distribution into Canada. Heading the Canadian sales team will be Mike Doble, national sales m

National Kids SnowSports Program Launched by SIA

Nearly 500 specialty retail stores nationwide are on tap to participate in the first-ever VERB Project Zero Degrees winter sports program. This program was developed in cooperation with SnowSports Industries America (SIA), and the US Department of Health

West Marine November Comps Decline 2.9%

West Marine, Inc. reported that net sales for the four weeks ended November 27, 2004 were $34.6 million, a 0.4% increase compared to net sales of $34.5 million for November last year. Comparable store net sales for November 2004 decreased 2.9% compared to

November Comps Climb 6% at Stage Stores

Stage Stores' total sales for the four-week period
ended November 27, 2004 increased 8.0% to $103.8 million from $96.1 million in the prior year four-week period ended November 29, 2003. Comparable store sales increased 6.0% versus a decrease of 5.8%