TNF Athlete to Attempt 5 Desert Crossings

The North Face announced The North Face Desert Grand Slam, in which The North Face Endurance athlete Dean Karnazes will attempt to complete the world’s five major desert foot races in a single calendar year. Three competitors will be attempting to be the

Sports Science Hires Web Guru

Sports Science, a Virginia-based maker of base layers, has named one of its online retailers as its new director of Web marketing. Brandi Fitzgerald is the president and founding partner of Trax Athletic, Sport Science’s partner for product fulfillment se

Confluence Vendor of the Year at MC Sports

MC Sports has named Confluence Watersports as its 2008 Vendor of the Year. The Midwest retailer said Confluence's ability to segment the market with unique product and deliver boats with very little lead time was the driving force behind its record p

Sole Technology to Sell Directly in Spain

Sole Technology, the maker of etnies, éS, Emerica, ThirtyTwo and Altamont, announced their plans for direct distribution in the Spanish market. This announcement follows last year’s move to distribute direct in the United Kingdom. Calling Spain “a Europea

AthleticBaby Adds New VP of Sales

AthleticBaby, makers of health-and-fitness products for babies and toddlers, announced the addition of Steve Mann to its executive team. Mann joins the organization as the new VP of Sales. Mann has more than 15 years experience in the consumer products in

Chinese Economy Forecast to Grow 10% in 2008

China's economy is expected to grow by a solid 10% in 2008, but is also experiencing its highest inflation in 11 years and that inflation is a threat to other countries, like Viet Nam, the Asian Development Bank said. ADB forecasts developing Asian e

Broder Bros. Posts Loss

Broder Bros., Co. reported net sales in the fourth quarter slipped to $232.7 million compared to $240.9 million a year ago. Including a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $87.3 million, the fourth quarter 2007 loss from operations was $85.9 million c

The Walking Co. Posts 2007 Loss on 8% Comps Rise

Net sales at The Walking Company increased 19.5% for fiscal 2007 ending December 31, 2007 to $162.1 million $135.7 million last year. The company reported that $10.0 million of the increase related to an 8.1% increase in comparable store sales which incl

Shoe Pavilion Switches to Net Loss for 2007

Shoe Pavilion reported in a filing with the SEC that net sales for fiscal 2007 increased 18.2% to $152.6 million from 2006 sales of $129.1 million. The sales growth is the result of increased sales of $7.6 million generated from 15 new stores opened in fi

Backcountry.com Enters Cycling Market

Online retailer Backcountry.com has succumbed to its inner self and begun selling high end bike gear and accessories from Shimano, Fox, Sidi, Giro, Oakley, Look, Castelli, Campagnolo, Mavic, Park, Pedros, Pearl Izumi and 60 other brands. The retailer, lau

Gregory Goes Independent With New Ownership

In a deal that may make evoke whines from some industry insiders, three Fortune 500 veterans bought Gregory Outdoor Products. The all-cash deal marks the first time the company has been independent since its founder, Wayne Gregory, sold the business 25 ye