<p>The Sport Footwear business started the 2010 fiscal year with a bang, led by meteoric growth in the nascent Toning category, fueling estimates of a new business that could net growth opportunities for retailers and vendors alike for years to come…</p>
<p>Running apparel has officially made its mark as a mainstay at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market in 2011. With a jump in the popularity of trail running, outdoor brands have thrown their hats in the ring with traditional running companies to vie for consumers</p>
<p>Hibbett Sports, Inc. cut its fourth quarter earnings guidance after finding sales slowed in the latter half of January. HIBB now expects fourth quarter earnings between 42 cents and 44 cents a share, which compares to 40 cents in the prior-year Q4…</p>
<p>Adidas expects to grow 15% to 20% annually in China over the next five years and exceed €1 billion, or $1.36 billion at today’s exchange rates, in revenue this year, according to comments by Adidas Chief Executive Officer Herbert Hainer in an </p>
<p>Shimano Group experienced a very strong business turnaround in 2010 after a tough 2009. But the company still remains cautious about the business moving into 2011 over concerns that the tempo of the economic recovery may slow in the European economies, t</p>
<p>Gildan Activewear reported strong demand across most businesses along with sweeping price increases drove profit past expectations for the fiscal first quarter ended Jan 2, but the company issued a disappointing outlook amidst concerns over surging cotton</p>
<p>According to MasterCard Advisors SpendingPulse, January saw strong growth across most categories, continuing the positive performance from Q4 2010, albeit at a slightly slower pace. With the January closing of the retail year, sectors that were up for the</p>
<p>Black Diamond, Inc. is intently focused on acquiring companies with $10 million to $50 million in annual sales even as it works toward launching its own technical apparel line, according to details of a new five-year strategic plan disclosed last week…</p>
<p>GSI Commerce Inc. said it reached an agreement to acquire Fanatics Inc., which sells licensed sports merchandise online, for about $277 million in cash and stock. The deal, expected to be completed in the second quarter, is expected to create “a leader in</p>
<p>DSW Inc. and its largest shareholder, Retail Ventures, Inc. announced that the two companies have signed a definitive merger agreement providing for RVI to become a wholly-owned subsidiary of DSW…</p>
<p>A rebounding U.S. economy will likely lead to a tight supply of vessel space and equipment during the peak third quarter shipping season, according to Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (TSA), which represents the major container shipping lines serving </p>
<p>Mizuno Corp. is maintaining its fiscal full-year sales and earnings forecast despite fairly flat sales for the nine-month year-to-date fiscal period and a swing to a net loss for the fiscal third quarter period. The Japanese sporting goods company had lo</p>
<p>Total U.S. e-commerce spending reached $227.6 billion in 2010, up 9% versus the previous year, according to the comScore's 2010 U.S. Digital Year in Review report. Retail (non-travel) e-commerce spending jumped 10% to $142.5 billion while travel e-co</p>
<p>Wolverine World Wide named Seth Cobb as VP and general manager of Merrell and Chip Coe as VP and general manager of Chaco. Both positions are effective immediately…</p>
<p>Abundant snow, brisk sell through, tight inventories and lots of innovation made for a buoyant mood in the backcountry section of the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market in Salt Lake City last month…</p>
