Consumer Confidence Hits 16-year Low
The New York-based research group Conference Board said its Consumer Confidence Index dropped to 50.4 in June from a revised 58.1 in May. The reading was the lowest since February 1992, when it was 47.3. Economists had expected the index to decline to 56,
Congress Overrides President Bush’s Farm Bill Veto
The U.S. Congress overrode President Bush's initial veto of the 'Farm Bill,' enacting 14 of the bill's 15 titles into law. Included in the action was the delay of a change to the 'First Sale' rule, which allows the industry t
Grassroots Adds Consultant to Preferred Vendor List
Grassroots Outdoor Alliance has added Black’s Retail Analysts, an inventory planning specialist based in San Francisco, to its list of preferred business services providers…
Nike’s Q4 Profits Climb 12%
Nike Inc. reported revenues increased 16% for the fourth quarter ended May 31, to $5.1 billion from $4.4 billion a year ago. Changes in currency exchange rates increased revenue growth by 7 percentage points for the quarter. Net income increased 12% to $4
Finnish Running Brand Karhu Acquired
Former Reebok executives, Huub Valkenburg and Jay Duke, have purchased the Finnish running brand, KARHU, including the trademarks and patents of the KARHU brand. Karhu Sporting Goods Oy, previous owner of the brand, remains the licensee for the Scandinavi
Report: Starter Close to Tony Romo Deal
According to Sports Business Daily, Starter, which is owned by Iconix Brand Group, is getting close to a five-year, $10 million endorsement deal with Cowboys QB Tony Romo. According to the daily, Reebok, Romo's previous sponsor, decline to match the
NBA to Open Stores in China…
The National Basketball Association has chosen JuneYao Group to develop 2,000 branded retail outlets across China. The agreement with the NBA will allow JuneYao to sell licensed merchandise in the 2,000 NBA retail stores it plans to open over the next two
Reebok Expands Owned-Retail With Equipment…
Reebok will add a new wrinkle to its owned-retail operations by including equipment in the mix for the first time ever. The company will open its newest retail store at Patriot Place in Foxboro, MA. The new store will represent Reebok’s second full-price
Brine Moves to Warrior Facilities in Michigan…
New Balance will be closing its Brine operations in Milford, MA to help consolidate operations and most efficiently utilize resources in its two lacrosse companies. Positions currently held at the Milford facility will be split between the Warrior Lacross
SmartWool Founders Bypass Dealers with point6…
Six months after their no-compete agreement expired, SmartWool Founders Peter and Patty Duke have launched another merino wool sock company on-line. On Tuesday, their point6.com web site featured outdoor, active, lifestyle, cycling, running, skiing and sn
New Balance Re-Organizes Sales Team
New Balance announces a re-organization of their U.S. sales management team. Steve Prince was promoted to the newly created position of director of sales operations and business development. In this role, Prince will lead the sales operations team and be
Spending on Tourism Fell in First Quarter
Real spending on tourism, or spending adjusted for inflation, declined at an annual rate of 3.7% in the first quarter of 2008, indicating the travel and recreation industry is being hurt worse than the economy as a whole by declining consumer confidence a
LaCrosse Receives $3M USMC Order
LaCrosse Footwear, Inc. said its Danner subsidiary received a $3 million delivery order as part of the Mountain Cold Weather Boot contract awarded by the United States Marine Corps in 2006…
Owners of Tour de France and AEG Partner to Promote Cycling…
Amaury Sport Organisation S.A. (ASO) and AEG, owners respectively of the Tour de France and the Amgen Tour of California, have formed a marketing partnership to grow and develop each other’s events…
Yue Yuen’s U.S. Sales Up 6.3% in First Half
Yue Yuen Industrial Holdings Ltd. said profits rose 24.4% on a 21.8% rise in turnover for the six months ended March 31 thanks to consolidation in the footwear manufacturing industry and rapid growth of the wholesale and retail operations it spun off earl
