The Great Malls of China…
The International Herald Tribune is reporting that the retail environment in China is not growing steadily, but rather it is growing in leaps and bounds with new “mega-malls” opening at a rapid rate. Apparently, by the year 2010 seven of the world’s ten l
Vaude Signs Agreement With Distributor Liberty Mountain
Liberty Mountain, one of the largest distributors of outdoor products in the U.S. has signed an agreement for exclusive distribution of the VAUDE line of technical outdoor products in the United States. Starting in 2006, Liberty Mountain will offer VAUDE&
Spalding Rolls Out Global Brand Marketing Strategy
Spalding is introducing a new worldwide vision to unify and grow its well known, 129-year old business. In addition to expanding its predominant position in basketball, the high quality sporting goods manufacturer plans to expand its business in existing
Quiksilver Second Quarter Income Jumps 25% with 32% Sales Gain
Quiksilver's consolidated net revenues for the second quarter of fiscal 2005 increased 32% to $426.9 million as compared to fiscal 2004 second quarter consolidated net revenues of $322.6 million. Consolidated net income for the second quarter of fisc
Lotto 2004 Sales Increase Slightly in Challenging Environment
Sales of Lotto brand products around the world ended 2004 at €256 million ($318.4 mm), up slightly from the sales figures posted in 2003 of €255 million ($336.8 mm). The Mediterranean area gave the strongest performance in terms of proportion of sales: th
Finish Line Comp Growth Starts to Moderate in Q1…
The Finish Line got their biggest gains from the children’s and women’s business in the first quarter, while weakness in the licensed apparel category ate into gains in branded apparel and the total results for the retailer. Total net sales for the fisca
Conservation Aliance Launches New Phase with Money from Keen Grant
Sixteen years ago, a group of outdoor business leaders began the Conservation Alliance. Since then, the Alliance has grown into a unique funding source for grassroots conservation groups as the only environmental grantmaker whose funds come from the non-m
Retail Executives’ Mood Brightens in May Despite Weak Traffic…
The latest survey of retail executives conducted by the National Retail Federation saw the mood in the corner office recover a bit from the sharp downturn in April as a brighter long-term outlook, tight controls on inventories, and stronger average ticket
Patagonia and Merrell Ink Licensing Agreement
Patagonia and Wolverine World Wide's Merrell footwear brand have entered into a long-term global license agreement to produce Patagonia footwear. The first product line is expected at retail in spring 2007. Under the agreement, Merrell will design, m
ITECH Issues Goalie Mask Recall
Mission-ITECH Hockey, in cooperation with the U.S. CPSC, has issued a voluntary recall of the ITECH Profile 2100, 1100 and 8.0 hockey goalie masks and ITECH RP607 and RP609 goalie mask replacement wires. Consumers have been advised to stop using recalled
Brown Shoe Co. on Major Naturalizer Restructuring
Brown Shoe Company, Inc. announced a series of moves to further strengthen its flagship Naturalizer brand. Brown will close approximately 80 underperforming stores – 60 in the United States and 20 in Canada — in addition to the ten closed in the first q
Softgoods Lead First Quarter Specialty Market…
The continued consolidation of the Bicycle, Outdoor and SnowSports industries helped boost the top-line sales numbers for vendors yet again in the first quarter. Momentum shifted back to the vendors in Q1 as their margins and profits remain healthy while
Dillards May Comps Increase 1%
Dillard's sales for the four weeks ended May 28, 2005 were $519.0 million compared to sales for the four weeks ended May 29, 2004 of $511.4 million. Sales increased 1% for the four-week period on both a total and comparable store basis.
Finish Line Q1 Comps Climb 2% on 13% Sales Increase
The Finish Line reported net sales of $291.2 million for the first quarter ended May 28, 2005, an increase of 13% over net sales of $258.0 million for Q1 last year. Comparable store net sales for Q1 increased 2% on top of a 14% increase reported for the c
American Hiking Society Kicks-Off National Trails day
The American Hiking Society is urging families to rediscover quality outdoor time by discovering their local trails on June 4th, National Trails Day, a nationwide celebration of more than 1,000 outdoor events. There are National Trails Day events for ever
