L.L. Bean 2007 Sales Advance 5.5%
L.L.Bean reported sales in its fiscal year ended February 24 reached $1.62 billion, a 5.5% increase over 2006. The company also announced that its Board of Directors approved a cash award of 5% of annual pay to eligible employees, a payout of approximatel
Adidas and Samsung Partner on Mobile Phone
adidas and Samsung have teamed up to introduce miCoach, a mobile phone that works with adidas shoes and apparel to plan, track and motivate users in training. It combines a mobile phone, heart rate monitor, stride sensor, MP3 player and the voice of a “pe
Escalade Increases Dividend
Escalade, Inc. increased its quarterly dividend by 14%. Its board authorized the payment of a 25 cents per share dividend payable March 21, to all shareholders of record on March 14…
Loop’d Network Launches Site for Skiers
Loop’d Network, a San Diego start-up that is creating a social networking site for action sports brands, has launched a community for skiers. The new site offers skiers the ability to seek sponsorship, enter contests sponsored by brands such as Oakley and
Fox Racing Shox Hires Patent Attorney
Fox Factory, Inc. has hired a high-powered patent attorney, inventor and former mountain biking and motocross enthusiast as its general counsel. David Haugen, who will also carry the title “chief patent attorney,” will focus on ensuring that Fox's i
Whitewater Hall of Fame Transferred to Foundation
The Paddlesports Industry Foundation (PIF) has acquired the International Whitewater Hall of Fame (IWHOF) from its founder, the Adventure Sports Center International (ASCI). The deal will allow the non-profit ASCI to focus on running the center, which fea
Genesco and Finish Line Boards Approve Settlement
Boards for Genesco Inc. and The Finish Line Inc. approved a definitive agreement to terminate their merger agreement and all related litigation with units of investment bank UBS in a settlement that will leave Genesco approximately $200 million richer. Th
OGIO Files Suit Against Callaway for Patent Infringement
OGIO has filed papers with the State of Utah's Federal District Court citing Callaway Golf Company for patent infringement. The papers were filed February 13, 2008. The suit is over OGIO's Woode organizing top, which was requested in the design
Gildan Sees Sock Programs Bolster Strong Q1
Gildan Activewear Inc. reported first quarter net sales increased 34.8% to $250.5 million from $185.8 million for the same period last year. The increase in sales revenues was due to an increase of 92.7% or $39.4 million in sock sales due to the acquisiti
Steve and Barry’s Gains Funding
GE Commercial Finance Corporate Lending has provided a $197 million asset-based credit facility to Steve & Barry’s. The loan will be used for ongoing working capital needs. GE Capital Markets arranged the transaction…
UPDATE: Genesco and The Finish Line Agree to Terminate Merger
Genesco Inc. and The Finish Line, Inc. have reached a tentative agreement to terminate their $1.5 billion merger agreement and settle all litigation. Under the deal, GCO will receive $175 million in cash and FINL stock equal to 12% of total post-issuance
Puma AG Sees Growth Slow Again, But U.S. Slow Down Helps Margins…
After years of double-digit growth, Puma AG came back down to earth in 2007, posting weaker growth for the year despite the continued consolidation of former distributors and a growing owned-retail business, thanks in large part to a decline in the U.S. a
Big 5 Anticipates Negative Comps through 2008…
Big 5 Sporting Goods Corporation’s same-store sales fell 4.7% in the fourth quarter and will do more of the same throughout 2008. The retailer said it expects same-store sales to decline in the low to mid-single-digit range in the first quarter and for th
Globe Sees H1 Sales Improve…
Globe International, like the other Australian businesses with a bulk of sales in the U.S. saw currency exchange rates eat into what would have been strong results for the fiscal first half. The company saw H1 net sales grow 2.8% to $63.6 million, but wou
Speedo Sales Dip 12% in 2007…
Speedo revenues for 2007 fell 12%, or about $30 million, primarily due to a reduction in shipments to clubs. On a positive note, Warnaco, its parent, noted that Speedo's shipments to its team dealer network and sporting goods stores were up 3%, and S
