SGB Executive Outdoor

lucy activewear Names VP of Merchandising and Marketing

lucy activewear inc. has appointed Kira Karmazin as VP of merchandising and marketing for the lucy brand. Karmazin is charged with the development of strategic brand growth strategies to position lucy for long-term success. Karmazin brings over 18 years o

Nike Allows Endorsers to Wear Speedo

Nike Inc. is allowing seven of its sponsored athletes to wear Speedo's record-breaking swimsuit, LZR Racer, at the upcoming U.S. Olympic trials starting June 29. A company spokesman, Derek Kent, told The Oregonian, “Nike exists to serve athletes. It&

Bushnell Acquires Simmons Outdoor

Bushnell Outdoor Products has acquired the Simmons brand and certain other assets of Simmons Outdoor Corporation from Meade Instruments Corp. Simmons is a provider of high quality, innovative optical products, including a complete line of riflescopes and

Institutional Investors Buy Burke Estate’s Stake in Accell

European bicycle maker Accell Group N.V. said that several institutional investors had purchased an 8.62% stake in the company being liquidated by the estate of late Trek Bicycle Corp. Founder and Chairman Richard “Dick” Burke. SNS Securities N.V. found b

Wellman Hikes Fortrel Fiber Prices Again

For the second time in a month, Wellman, Inc. announced a 4 cent per pound price hike in its Fortrel polyester staple fiber products. The latest price hike takes effect with July 14, 2008 shipments…

GSI Commerce Lays Off 148

GSI Commerce Inc. has announced its Portland, Tenn.-based e-commerce retail-and-distribution center will close Sept. 30, resulting in the loss of 148 jobs. The center is closing because Restoration Hardware has decided to move their distribution in house.

Johnson Outdoors Wins $96mn Military Contract

The Defense Department said that Johnson Outdoors Inc. has been awarded a $96 million Defense Logistics Agency contract to supply shelters, trailers and related components for all branches of the military. Johnson Outdoors, based in Racine, WI, makes outd

La Sportiva Reports 30% Growth in Mountain Running Sales

La Sportiva said it increased sales of mountain running product by 30-percent over spring 2007. While much of the growth was due to new products, including the Imogene and the Crosslite, orders for the Fireblade doubled over last spring, the Boulder, CO c

Billabong Acquires Retailer Quiet Flight

Billabong has completed an agreement to acquire the retail operations of Quiet Flight, an East Coast retailer and the operator of 13 stores, including the flagship Billabong and Element retail stores in New York. Quiet Flight’s retail management team is b

Wiseman Relieves McDonald At VF’s Helm

Mackey J. McDonald will retire as Chairman of the Board and as a Director of VF Corporation, effective August 1, 2008. VF’s Board of Directors has elected President and Chief Executive Officer Eric C. Wiseman, 52, to the role of chairman upon McDonald’s r

BJ’s May Comps Rise 13.4% on Gas Boost

BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc. saw net sales increase by 15.9% to $824.3 million from $711.0 million in May 2007. On a comparable club basis, sales for May 2008 increased by 13.4%, including a contribution from sales of gasoline worth 6.6%…

Dillard’s Comps Decline 7% in May

Dillard’s, Inc. announced that sales for the four weeks ended May 31, fell 5% to $499.7 million from $527.9 million. Comps decreased 7% for the four-week period. Sales of cosmetics and shoes were significantly above trend while sales in the home and furni

Wal-Mart’s May Comps Climb 4.4%

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. reported total comparable store sales rose 3.9%. Comps rose 4% at the Wal-Mart chain and 3.6% at Sam's Club. Comparable store sales in the Wal-Mart U.S. segment during the four-week May period were strong in grocery, health and

Icebreaker Names Northeast Reps

Icebreaker said Bragg-Curtis will be representing the brand in the Northeast territory, effective immediately…

Gander Mountain Loses $24.4 Million in Q1

Gander Mountain Co. reported sales climbed 18.2% to $207.7 million for the first quarter ended May 3, 2008. Comps decreased 6.7% in the first quarter. The 2008 period includes $19.7 million in direct marketing revenue due to the acquisition of Overton&#03