Online Reviews Driving Sales at REI
Recreational Equipment Inc. customers who submit online reviews of gear purchase at a 26% higher rate than non-review readers, according to the vendor who helped implement REI's online review feature. REI began soliciting gear reviews on its website
Wiseman Relieves McDonald At VF’s Helm
Mackey J. McDonald will retire as Chairman of the Board and as a Director of VF Corporation, effective August 1, 2008. VF’s Board of Directors has elected President and Chief Executive Officer Eric C. Wiseman, 52, to the role of chairman upon McDonald’s r
Billabong Acquires Retailer Quiet Flight
Billabong has completed an agreement to acquire the retail operations of Quiet Flight, an East Coast retailer and the operator of 13 stores, including the flagship Billabong and Element retail stores in New York. Quiet Flight’s retail management team is b
La Sportiva Reports 30% Growth in Mountain Running Sales
La Sportiva said it increased sales of mountain running product by 30-percent over spring 2007. While much of the growth was due to new products, including the Imogene and the Crosslite, orders for the Fireblade doubled over last spring, the Boulder, CO c
Johnson Outdoors Wins $96mn Military Contract
The Defense Department said that Johnson Outdoors Inc. has been awarded a $96 million Defense Logistics Agency contract to supply shelters, trailers and related components for all branches of the military. Johnson Outdoors, based in Racine, WI, makes outd
GSI Commerce Lays Off 148
GSI Commerce Inc. has announced its Portland, Tenn.-based e-commerce retail-and-distribution center will close Sept. 30, resulting in the loss of 148 jobs. The center is closing because Restoration Hardware has decided to move their distribution in house.
OR to Offer Child and Dog Care at Show
Outdoor Retailer has partnered with KiddieCorp to offer child day care services and with Camp Barkalot to offer dog day care services for Outdoor Retailer Summer Market attendees this August.
Mountain Hardwear Donates Tents to China
Mountain Hardwear has shipped 628 donated two-person and three-person tents from the USA to China, where they will be used to house victims of the devestating May 12 earthquake that left 5 million homeless in Sichuan Province…
adidas Boycotts Mulesed Wool
Following nearly four months of discussions with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, adidas has decided to boycott all wool from mulesed lambs — including those mulesed using clips, according to PETA and an Australian media report. While adidas i
High Sierra Names Pres./International Sales
High Sierra Sport Company, a manufacturer of bags and luggage, announced the appointment of Jorge Garces as Vice President of International Sales. Garces will be responsible for implementing sales and marketing strategies for European, Latin American, Asi
Play Ball Changes Name to Batters Up Following Record Year
Play Ball USA, The non-profit organization for promoting participation in youth recreational ball programs has changed its name to Batters Up USA. At the same time, Batters Up USA has announced a record year in supporting the start-up of new recreational
High Sierra Names new VP of International Sales
Bag and luggage maker High Sierra Sport Companyhas hired Jorge Garces as Vice President of International Sales. Garces has worked at JanSport, Marketing Associate International, Johnson Outdoor Incorporated, Lennox Industries Inc. and The Coleman Company.
Cargo Indicates Retail Rebound in October
Cargo traffic at major retail container ports will likely remain below last year’s levels through this summer and early fall, but month-to-month numbers are climbing and ports should see a return to year-over-year growth by Halloween, according to the mon
Moots Cycles Names New President
Moots Cycles of Steamboat Springs, CO, said it hired former SmartWool VP Rob Mitchell as president. Mitchell will be responsible for overseeing all areas of the company, including strategic planning, product and marketing, sales, operations, and finance.
Organized Sports Participation Slides Among Canadian Youth
A smaller percentage of Canadian children participated regularly in organized sports activities in 2005 than in 1992, and the decline was larger for boys, according to a new study. The study found that participation in sports rose with household incomes a
