Specialty Retail Sees a Challenging Year Ahead…
Most of the key stories featured in the annual year in review issues of The B.O.S.S. Report over the last five years have been centered around mergers & acquisitions as private equity and strategic buyers rushed into the space, throwing around easy money
Zumiez Lowers 2007 Guidance as December Comp Sales Growth Slows…
Zumiez, Inc. posted less than stellar results for fiscal December as the consumer buying trend analysts worried over, in which the weeks between the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays proved to have little draw, played out. Following the slow turnout mid
Gone But Not Forgotten…
The outdoor industry lost several leaders in 2007. Roswell Brayton, Jr., Woolrich’s president, passed away suddenly last week at age 55. Michael Corvino, president of JanSport, was killed July 14 in a car accident. Footwear veteran Jacques Lavertue, presi
Champion Adventure Racer Joins Newton Running
Newton Running has hired world champion adventure racer Ian Adamson as its new technical advisor. Adamson will assist in product development for Newton, working alongside chief designer and vice president, Danny Abshire….
Hibbett Sports Names President and COO
Hibbett Sports, Inc. said that Nissan Joseph will join the company as president and COO. Mr. Joseph will report to Mickey Newsome, chairman and CEO, and is expected to begin his duties by early February 2008. Prior to joining Hibbett, Nissan served as pr
Stanwood and Partners Sold
Carmichael Lynch Spong, based in Minneapolis, announced its purchase of Stanwood & Partners, a Wyoming-based public relations firm that represents several outdoor companies. Carson Stanwood, president of Stanwood & Partners, will be principal and chair of
Sportman’s Warehouse to Close Wisconsin Store
Sportman's Warehouse at West Bend in Wisconsin will be closing at the end of February over a year and a half after opening its doors. The store employs 63 workers…
Lance Armstrong Enters Boston Marathon
Lance Armstrong, the seven-time Tour de France champion, has entered the 2008 Boston Marathon, the Boston Athletic Association announced Jan. 17. Armstrong qualified for the Boston Marathon with a 2:46:43 finish at the 2007 ING New York City Marathon…
New Balance to Sponsor Inaugural Marine Corps Historic Half
The Marine Corps Marathon announced an agreement that recognizes New Balance as a presenting sponsor of the inaugural Marine Corps Historic Half (MCHH), to be held May 18, 2008 in Fredericksburg, VA…
Walking Co. Closes Natural Comfort Acquisition
The Walking Company closed its acquisition of substantially all the assets of Natural Comfort Footwear, Inc. effective Jan. 15. Natural Comfort, an independent comfort shoe retailer in Florida, has eight stores operating under the names Natural Comfort an
Why Running Shoes Aren’t Just for Running
Every day in clinic I make footwear recommendations to my patients and inevitably some of them will say to me, “Why are you recommending running shoes? I’m not a runner.” I explain to them that no other shoes offer the features that running shoes do and t
Genesco, Inc. Wins Round One in Merger Fight…
Genesco, Inc. won the first battle of what many believe will be a long, drawn out war in its legal fight with The Finish Line, Inc. to complete the merger first announced in June of this year. The judge in the Chancery Court in Nashville, the venue where
Sporting Goods Industry Urges Students to “Get in the Game”
Top executives from key segments of the sporting goods industry have joined forces to create a program designed to attract top college graduates as future employees. The program, called “Get in the Game,” is the creation of a 15-member committee of leadin
Nike Bauer Goes Retro for Outdoor Hockey Game
Nike Bauer Hockey has designed retro skates and throwback wood sticks for several members of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres as part of a special outdoor charity game. The game takes place January 1 at Ralph Wilson Stadium with proceeds to bene
Eddie Bauer Prepays $20M in Debt
Eddie Bauer Holdings, Inc. announced that it has made a voluntary prepayment of $20 million on the existing term loan facility. The company is currently in compliance with all financial covenants under the Term Loan, even without giving effect to the volu
