Italy to Put More Boots on the Ground…
Two separate ‘top Italian boot brands’ are making their presence known in the U.S. market with new marketing initiatives and a new U.S. subsidiary. Aku hails from Montebelluna, Italy, while Zamberlan is headquartered in Pievebelvicino, Italy…
More on the OR Trade-Show Talks
Last week BOSS reported that Salt Lake City representatives were making a sales call to VNU in an attempt to convince the company to keep the Outdoor Retailer trade show in its current location. The city presented its plan to expand The Salt Palace Conven
Bean Wins Another Round in Claria Suit
L.L. Bean’s seems to have won the latest battle in its war against pop-up advertising. In spite of claims by Claria that Atkins Nutritionals and Gevalia Kaffee never took out ads designed to appear on Bean’s site, the two companies have decided to settle
Cabela’s IPO Price Jump Puts an Extra 25% in their Quiver…
When Gander Mountain debuted its IPO in April BOSS quipped that the management there should send some flowers to Ed Stack and his team for helping create the impression of a strong opportunity in sporting goods retail stocks. Well, we think the Cabela’s
Colorado Skier Visits Decline; Out-of State Traffic Rises
Colorado Ski Country USA is reporting that there were 11.2 million skier visits in the Centennial State in the 2003-04 ski season, a 3.4% decrease over last year. The trade organization saw many of the same patterns that Vail Resorts reported in their Q3
Vans Settles Shareholder Merger Suit…
Vans, Inc. announced late Friday that it had settled a class action suit related to its merger with a subsidiary of VF Corporation.. VFC in late April agreed to acquire the venerable skate brand in a $396 million deal. Vans will roll up under VF’s Outdo
Wynn Joins Petzl as Communications Manager
Petzl has hired Eric Wynn as Communications Manager. In his new position, Eric will be responsible for public relations, copywriting, translating and providing Web content. He will work closely with headquarters in France to help ensure that Petzl communi
Appeals Court Backs Nautilus in ICON Action
The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled in favor of The Nautilus Group Inc. in its suit against ICON Heath & Fitness, Inc. by affirming the grant of a preliminary injunction as previously granted by the Federal District Court. As
Life Fitness Names VP Strategic Planning / Biz Dev
Life Fitness recently named Matthew J. Johnson vice president of strategic planning and business development. Johnson is responsible for implementing the company’s long-term strategic plan, spearheading new market initiatives, and driving new business dev
ITECH in Sponsorship Deal with Junior Hockey League
ITECH Hockey has signed a three year agreement with the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) to become the League’s Exclusive Helmet and Facial Protection. The agreement will commence with the 2004/05 season and continue through to the 2006/07 season
NRF: Consumers Welcome RFID Benefits
Retail customers appear open to the use of Radio Frequency Identification as long as they are aware of it, according to a study reissued before a recent RFID Workshop hosted by the Federal Trade Commission. Conducted for the National Retail Federation by
Jordan Brand Adds Two Apparel Industry Vets
Jordan, a division of Nike, Inc. has appointed apparel industry veterans Fran Boller as the new Business Director of Apparel and Gemo Wong as Apparel Design Director. In their new roles, Boller will oversee the overall design, development and merchandisin
TNF Pledges Support to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
The North Face will utilize its presenting sponsorship of the 2004 Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The North Face athlete team members and ultra-marathon runners Dean Karnazes, 8 time race competitor, and
Dick’s/Galyans: Were You Really Surprised?
If you were surprised by Monday evening’s announcement regarding the Dick's Sporting Goods acquisition of Galyan’s Trading Company, you probably have not been reading between the lines for the last six months. After Dick’s failed in its attempt to qu
Atkins and Gevalia Settle with Bean
L.L.Bean has entered into settlement agreements with Gevalia Kaffe and Atkins Nutrionals to settle allegations that they illegally served pop-up advertisements on the llbean.com web site. On May 17, 2004, L.L.Bean filed suit against four companies — Nord