PEP Funds to Help Active Youth
The U.S. Department of Education recently announced the availability of $70 million dollars for the purchase of products, and for training on such products, that help get children active. These products include snowsports equipment, reported the SIA. The
Columbia Pulls Back on Retail Strategy, Pares Expenses to Prepare for Year Ahead
Citing a weak sales forecast for 2009, Columbia Sportswear Co. said it plans to table plans to open branded retail stores in several U.S. cities. The outerwear giant also cancelled plans to ramp up its marketing and advertising budget and said it was impl
SIA: Slowing Equipment Sales Impact Specialty Retail
According to the August-December SIA Retail Audit, retail sales in the SnowSports market declined 1.5% in 2008 to $1.88 billion. Most of the declines came from equipment categories, but apparel was also down in the low-single-digits. Accessories were the
NRF: Retail Sales to Decline in 2009
Retail sales – excluding car sellers, gas stations and restaurants – are expected to decline 0.5% this year, according to the National Retail Federation’s 2009 economic forecast. This marks the first time the trade group projected a decline since it start
OR Winter Market Reports Lower Traffic; Focuses on Quality, Not Quantity
More than ever, the numbers defined the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market trade show. Attendance figures, purchase prices, sales forecasts and predicting the odds on how many outdoor industry brands would fail during 2009’s economic slowdown were mentioned i
ORWM Quietly Becomes THE Specialty Running Show for the Market
The Outdoor Retailer show has quietly become the place for running brands to connect with specialty retailers in the market. As more retailers start to blur the lines of running specialty and outdoor specialty (think Playmakers), more brands are taking t
Greg Norman Collection Sold to Tharanco
Greg Norman Collection has been acquired from the MacGregor Golf Company by The Tharanco Group. Greg Norman President and CEO Michael Setola will remain CEO and is a partner in the new company, Tharanco Lifestyle, LLC. Tharanco has owned such diverse bran
WSA Reports New Exhibitors
The WSA Show and The Collections at WSA (the luxury designer segment of the exhibition) will see a combined 87 new exhibitors at its upcoming show, according to the event's organizers. The show is being held in Las Vegas from February 12-14…
Escalade’s CFO Resigns
Escalade, Inc. said it has accepted the resignation of Terry D. Frandsen as vice president and chief financial officer. Robert J. Keller, Escalade's president and chief executive officer, said that the company and Frandsen had reached a mutual decis
Ortholite Sponsors Road Runners Club of America
OrthoLite has signed a sponsorship agreement to become the preferred insole partner of the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) and the American Hiking Society (AHS)…
Asics and Brooks in “Dead Heat” at Fleet Feet
Brooks caught up to Asics at Fleet Feet in 2008, but New Balance, Saucony and Nike also gained market share at the chain. As reported, Fleet Feet’s sales grew 14% to $86 million in 2008 on a 12% comp gain…
Mizuno Lowers Outlook After Tough Q3
Mizuno Corp. had a difficult third quarter as continued softness in the global economy slowed sales and caused the company to lower its guidance for the fiscal year through March 2009. The company now anticipates reporting a net loss for the fiscal year f
Pace Setters
The SGMA’s “2008 State of the Industry Survey” lists running as number four on the list of “Hottest Sports for Sales Growth in 2008” behind yoga / pilates, fitness walking and lacrosse. Women play a significant role in keeping running at the top of that l
Johnson Outdoors Q1 Net Sales Fall 8.2%
Johnson Outdoors Inc. had net sales of $69.8 million for the first quarter ended Jan. 2, 2009, an 8.2% decline compared to net sales of $76.0 million for the prior year quarter. Loss from continuing operations of $6.9 million, or 76 cents per diluted shar
U.S. Dept. of Education Allocates $70M to Get Youth Active
The U.S. Department of Education recently announced the availability of $70 million dollars for the purchase of products, including snow sports, that help activate children and for training on the use of such products, reported the SIA. The Carol H. White
