WSA Sees 8% Participation Increase
The WSA Show and The Collections at WSA saw participation rise 8% from 34,515 to 37,279. Exhibit space increased three percent from 1,080,500 net square feet to 1,112,000 square feet. The show attracted more than 85% of the top footwear retailers in the
Thule Hires Karl Wiedemann as Product Manager
Thule has hired Karl Wiedemann as Product Manger. Wiedemann will be responsible for the development of fit kits and load carriers, as well as the introduction of Thule snow chains in the North American market. Wiedemann will report to TJ Hanson, VP of M
Malden Jumps Over Hurdles in Bankruptcy Case
Malden Mills has been faced with many challenges in its recent re-entry into bankruptcy protection, including the transfer of the case back to its original venue in Massachusetts, which posed the possibility of a considerable delay in the sale of the comp
Walking Co. Again Drives Sales for Big Dog…
As it has for the past few quarters, The Walking Company carried the weight for Big Dog Holdings, Inc. as the company’s namesake retail chain posted comparable sales declines for both the fourth quarter and fiscal year. TWC, on the other hand, posted its
Speedo Enters China License with Symphony
Speedo International Limited entered a partnership with Symphony Resources Ltd, a subsidiary of Symphony Holdings Ltd. Symphony has been granted the master license for the Speedo brand in China and Taiwan commencing on January 27, 2007…
NBA Plans All-Star Retail Push…
The NBA has partnered with XP Events to approach retail at the All-Star game in a new light; and, hopefully, to increase both visibility and sales. The scope of product and merchandising activities for the week will include over 30 NBA Store satellite loc
Coleman Parent Expects 20% Sales Jump…
Jarden Corporation is predicting that sales for the fiscal year will be approximately $3.85 billion compared to $3.2 billion last year and $839 million the year before. The company’s Outdoor Solutions Segment – which consists primarily of Coleman – is exp
Chaco Acquires Ulu to Address Winter Footwear…
Chaco had the biggest news on the floor at winter market, which is surprising given the fact that before the show the company made only summer product. This fact is about to change, since Chaco acquired all of the trademarks and assets of the Ulu brand fr
Iconix Closes Shop at Ocean Pacific’s California Office
When Iconix Brand Group, Inc. purchased Ocean Pacific from Warnaco in October for $54 million, the company said that it “can expand OP's international business further and significantly grow the brand's penetration in the U.S.” Those plans, howe
Conservation Alliance Raises $12,000 ot OR
The Conservation Alliance raised $12,000 at its Block Party event at the recent Outdoor Retailer Winter Market in Salt Lake City. The event celebrated the seven successes that Conservation Alliance funding helped achieve in 2006. KEEN, Inc., Salomon, Eagl
OR Winter Market Attendance Jumps 24%
Outdoor Retailer closed a successful 2007 Winter Market with a record 17,973 total attendees, up 24% from 2006 on a preliminary basis. The largest Winter Market to date attracted 5,602 buyers, up 14% from 2006*, who toured a show packed with innovative g
Gander Pulls Realistic Airsoft Guns Off Shelves
Gander Mountain Company is pulling realistic replica guns from its stores in Minnesota and will sell only airsoft guns that are obviously and unmistakably toys. Gander Mountain will phase out realistic replica guns, in favor of the obvious toy guns, in al
Utah Governor Huntsman Allows Roadless Protection to Remain in Place
Utah Governor Jon Huntsman told outdoor industry leaders this morning that he would not submit his current draft petition that would do away with protection of Utah’s 4 million acres of roadless national forest lands. Huntsman said the current legal battl
VF Completes Eagle Creek Acquisition
VF Outdoor, Inc. has completed its previously announced acquisition of Eagle Creek, Inc. Terms were not disclosed. VF expects the Eagle Creek brand to add approximately $30 million to 2007 revenues and to sustain high single-digit sales growth over the ne
Reef Board Build-Off Raises $30k in Total
The Reef Board Build-Off showcased and auctioned off an impressive array of one-of-a-kind surfboards at the ASR tradeshow this past weekend. The event raised over $20,000 with proceeds going to each shapers charity of choice. Rich Pavel came out on top af
