Etonic Products Under One Roof Again…
Etonic will bring its running and walking division in-house and has tapped design consultant Martin Keen, the original designer of Keen footwear, to help design the new product. In a release, the company said that the shoes will begin shipping to retailer
Nike Goes After Alleged Counterfeiters in Florida…
Nike, Inc. filed suit against a Florida man and his partner in North Carolina for trademark infringement and counterfeiting. The suit, filed on May 27 in U.S. District Court in Tampa, Fla., alleges that Kevin Lance of Bradenton, Fla. and his company Lance
Rawlings Sues Nike for Basketball Patent Infringement…
Rawlings Sports Goods Company, Inc., now a subsidiary of K2 Inc., has filed suit against Nike, Inc. in U.S. District Court in Missouri for patent infringement. The claim, filed on May 27, is based on Nike’s alleged infringement of Rawlings’ patent for a
Stride Rite Sees Big Opportunity for Saucony in the Children’s Business…
The deal announced last week that saw The Stride Rite Corporation acquire Saucony, Inc. brings to close a twelve-month period that saw a frenetic pace of consolidation in the athletic footwear sector, highlighted by VF Corp’s acquisition of Vans and Reef
Finish Line Comp Growth Starts to Moderate in Q1…
The Finish Line got their biggest gains from the children’s and women’s business in the first quarter, while weakness in the licensed apparel category ate into gains in branded apparel and the total results for the retailer. Total net sales for the fisca
May Retail Mostly Shrugs Off Negative Influences…
It was déjà vu all over again at retail in May as unseasonably chilly spring weather and higher gas prices were again blamed for keeping growth in check in most channels. Once again, it was the luxury retailers and teen retailers that fared best for the
The Great Malls of China…
The International Herald Tribune is reporting that the retail environment in China is not growing steadily, but rather it is growing in leaps and bounds with new “mega-malls” opening at a rapid rate. Apparently, by the year 2010 seven of the world’s ten l
Exel Sustains Nordic Walking Funding…
Exel’s efforts at expanding the Nordic Walking market internationally have not yet shown an any dividends, but the company stated that it will continue to invest in this emerging market in both North America and China. The Finnish company’s Q1 interim rep
Lapierre and Accell Land on U.S. Soil…
Lapierre Cycles, a member of Accell Group, opened a branch office in North America, and plans on distributing a complete line of road and mountain bikes starting in October 2005 at Interbike. After an investigative trip to the States in April for the Sea
Lafuma Takes Control of Oxbow…
Lafuma has completed its initial acquisition of Oxbow from the majority shareholder, Teahupoo, gaining 63.7% ownership of the company. Lafuma will now submit a draft standing offer at a price of €10.75 per OXBOW share cum-dividend and as a result OXBOW’s
Merrell Inks Footwear Licensing Deal with Patagonia…
Patagonia and Wolverine World Wide have inked a licensing agreement under which WWW’s Merrell brand will design, manufacture and market under the Patagonia name with rights to Water Girl and Lotus Designs. The first product line is expected at retail in s
Scott Kaier Joins Pale Morning Media
After months of courtship and waffling, Pale Morning Media LLC is pleased to announce the arrival of Scott Kaier as a full-time staff addition. A veteran of the outdoor retailing arena with more than eight years of floor and management experience, Kaier b
Oakley Adds Two to Board of Directors
Oakley, Inc. announced that on June 3, 2005, Greg Trojan and Colombe Nicholas were added to the company's Board of Directors. Mr. Trojan currently serves as the CEO of House of Blues (HOB) Entertainment and its divisions and Ms. Nicholas, former pre
Brown Shoe Co. on Major Naturalizer Restructuring
Brown Shoe Company, Inc. announced a series of moves to further strengthen its flagship Naturalizer brand. Brown will close approximately 80 underperforming stores – 60 in the United States and 20 in Canada — in addition to the ten closed in the first q
Patagonia and Merrell Ink Licensing Agreement
Patagonia and Wolverine World Wide's Merrell footwear brand have entered into a long-term global license agreement to produce Patagonia footwear. The first product line is expected at retail in spring 2007. Under the agreement, Merrell will design, m
