Berkshire Hathaway’s Apparel Earnings Down 34%

According to the just-released annual report from Berkshire Hathaway, pre-tax earnings in its apparel businesses declined 34% in 2008, primarily due to lower sales volume and costs incurred to consolidate certain operations of Russell and Vanity Fair Bran

Element 21 Cuts Operating Loss

Element 21 Golf Company generated fiscal Q2 revenue of $430,651, an increase of 168% compared to revenue of $255,801 in the same period in fiscal 2007…

Report: JJB to Close 46 Lifestyle Stores

Reports out of the U.K. have KPMG, which was named administrator of JJB's lifestyle Original Shoe Company and Qube stores, closing 46 of the 77 door in operation. This move will in turn cause 438 positions to become unnecessary for the retailers. The

Specialty Retailers Still Investing in Small Brands

Retailers have made drastic changes this year in their pre-season orders in hopes of remaining profitable during the economic downtown. Many are trying to wait as late as possible to place their orders, much to the chagrin of vendors, but a more interesti

Confluence Introduces Community-Based Boating Incentive

From Apr. 1, 2009 through Aug. 31, 2009, Confluence Watersports will roll out a brand new program designed to support local organizations, introduce more people to paddling and establish a platform for a long-term sustainability initiative…

RECALL: BowTech’s “The General” Compound Bows

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and BowTech Archery have announced the voluntary recall of “The General” compound bows. According to a release, the ends of the bow’s limbs can unexpectedly break during use, sending fragments in the direction o

Ortholite Sponsors AHS and RRCA

OrthoLite has signed a sponsorship agreement as the preferred insole partner with American Hiking Society (AHS) and Road Runners Club of America (RRCA). In addition, the company will continue its sponsorship with the American Trail Running Association (AT

Nautilus Delays Q4 Conference Call

Nautilus, Inc. has rescheduled its previously announced conference call to discuss its fourth quarter results to March 10. The company said the rescheduled conference call date is necessary to allow additional time to complete the few remaining items in c

John Shanley Loses Battle with Cancer

John Shanley, 65, veteran footwear and retail research analyst at Susquehanna International Group, passed away last Sunday, after battling with bladder cancer for more than four years. Shanley had twenty-five plus years of experience within the footwear a

PacSun Issues Response to Adrenalina

Pacific Sunwear of California, Inc. responded to the Feb. 12, 2009 letter and related press releases issued by Adrenalina, a retail-entertainment company currently operating three stores in Florida. Peter Starrett, lead director of
Pacific Sunwear, said

PROBAR Moves to Salt Lake City

PROBAR has said it will be relocating from the Park City area to a new and larger facility in Salt Lake City this month. Effective Feb. 16, 2009, PROBAR will call 4752 West California Ave, Suite 1000, Salt Lake City, their new home. During the transition

Sport Chalet Fiscal Q3 Sales Decline 10.3%

Sport Chalet Inc. reported a double-digits decline in sales for the third quarter ended December 28, due primarily to the nation’s economic downturn that led to a much wider net loss for the period…

Adrenalina Launches Board Fight at Pacific Sunwear…

Adrenalina, which has made multiple bids to acquire Pacific Sunwear of California, has nominated a four-member slate to PacSun's board and called for the resignation of PacSun's CEO. In a letter dated Feb. 12, Ilia Lekach, chief executive of Adr

JJB Sports Divisions Headed for Administration

JJB Sports said it intends to place two loss-making footwear subsidiaries into administration, a form of bankruptcy protection. JJB said its lifestyle division, which operates 64 Original Shoe Company Ltd. stores and 13 stores under the Qubefootwear Ltd.