With U.S. Economy Teetering, Outdoor Brands Look to Owned-Retail
At the Thomas Weisel Partners Consumer Conference this week, several major outdoor brands outlined success stories and provided a mostly positive outlook for the future…
Genesco Sees Slower Store Expansion, Opportunity for Better Lease Deals
In its first update of its five-year plan since 2006, Genesco Inc. disclosed that it expects store growth to slow down over the next few years but also expects robust bottom line growth. Overall, top-line growth is expected to rise 8% to 10% annually to
The Finish Line Sees Higher Selling Prices Drive Q2 Earnings Growth
Helped by a 10% jump in average selling prices on footwear, Finish Line reported a 91% jump in earnings from continuing operations. On a conference call, Alan Cohen, chairman and CEO, said Finish Line's improved performance “demonstrates in our Finis
Golfsmith Appoints COO
Golfsmith International Holdings, Inc. appointed Sue E. Gove as its EVP and chief operating officer. Most recently, Gove was an independent consultant but had previously served in the same role for Zale Corp., the jeweler. She will initially oversee finan
Scheels Opens Largest Store
Scheels opened its largest store on Saturday, and what it's calling the world's largest sporting goods store. The 295,000-square-foot Scheels at The Legends at Sparks Marina, Nev., a city of 90,000 near Reno…
GreenRep.Org is the Answer to Making Sales Greener
Greenrep.org is a sales agency dedicated to selling green products and advancing green initiatives in the surf, skate, snow, and outdoor industries. Greenrep.org works by donating 5% of all profits to green organizations and educational sources.
Yue Yuen Profits Benefit from Olympics
Yue Yuen Industrial (Holdings) Ltd. boosted nine-month profit 56%, helped by the sale of a stake in a retail unit and increased demand ahead of the Beijing Olympics. Net income climbed to $438.1 million in the nine months ended June 30 from $281.5 million
Nike Foundation Supports Liberia’s Girls Initiative
The Nike Foundation will help fund the Adolescent Girls Initiative, a public-private partnership between the World Bank, the country of Liberia and the Nike Foundation. Launched at the World Bank on Oct. 10, the program aims to increase economic opportuni
Wal-Mart Vows to Cut Plastic Bag Usage by 33%
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. took another big stride in its sustainability efforts when it committed to reduce its global plastic shopping bag waste by an average of 33% per store by 2013. To reach this goal, Wal-Mart will reduce the number of bags given out by
NRF Forecasts 2.2% Holiday Sales Growth
The National Retail Federation forecasted that holiday sales will rise 2.2% this year to $470.4 billion. This gain would fall well below the ten-year average of 4.4% holiday sales growth and would represent the slowest growth since 2002, when holiday sale
Yakima Introduces GE Money Sport Card
Yakima has announced a partnership with GE Money Sport's consumer financing program to provide special financing options for many consumer products and services. With the GE Money Sport Card, participating Yakima dealers will provide customers instan
Construction Starts on Greener Tannery in Vietnam
Construction has begun in Saigon, Vietnam on an ecologically friendly “model factory” for the German/Chinese leather producer ISA Tan Tec. The tannery will emit 35% less CO2 than conventional production facilities. The company said it needs the capacity t
Conservation Alliance Lobbies Congress on Public Lands
Representatives from The North Face, Osprey, The Forest Group, and The Conservation Alliance spent two days lobbying Congress last week to support a bill that includes more than 150 public lands bills. The proposal could go to the Senate floor for a vote
GSI, Timberland Take $7 mm Hit
A federal judge has granted preliminary approval to a $7 million settlement submitted by GSI Commerce Inc., Timberland and a Florida wireless carrier to settle allegations they sent unsolicited advertisements for Timberland products via text messaging in
Amer Sports Sees Tough Q4 Ahead
Amer Sports could see a “challenging” fourth quarter as economic problems from the United States spill over into Europe, a senior company official said. “There are signs of weakening macro economy also in Europe,” said company spokesperson Pekka Paalanne.
