<p>Shares of The Sports Authority hit a new 52-week high last week as the new team of the recently merged entity laid out a bit of its vision for the only national sporting goods chain. Doug Morton, the CEO and vice chairman of the new company, was clearly </p>
<p>The Athlete’s Foot has been able to do something that few, if any, retailers have been able to do — capitalize financially on its brand name. The retailer and global franchisor of athletic specialty stores last week announced a securitization transactio</p>
<p>Kmart reported a much smaller loss in the 2003 fiscal second quarter, but sales were still stuck in the doldrums as the discount retailer fights to re-build consumer traffic and sales after its emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection…</p>
<p>Meanwhile, north of the border, Canada’s largest sporting goods retailer and franchisor saw the western provinces drag down sales results in the fiscal second quarter, with British Columbia and Alberta comping down “slightly over 5%” for the quarter compa</p>
<p>Billabong released year-end financials and it looks like a strong year for the Aussie Surf-wear manufacturer with sales in America and Europe leading the way…</p>
<p>Published reports last week had adidas-Salomon making a $135 million cash bid for Top-Flite Golf Company, topping the $125 million offer made by the appointed stalking horse, Callaway Golf Company. The bids are part of the 363 asset sale required in Top-F</p>
<p>Ashworth, Inc. is looking to the retail and department store channel to grow its business going forward as the core green grass business continues to suffer from the weak economy and this year’s weather woes…</p>
<p>The mood of the show was surprisingly upbeat. Word is that business in both footwear and apparel is better than the first two quarters, although certainly well below “robust” levels. Footwear seems to be outperforming apparel. “Improved” probably best </p>
<p>Kmart Holding Corporation announced the hiring of Bruce Johnson, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain and Operations; Janet Kelly, Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer; and Lisa Schultz, Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer. </p>
<p>Tim McCool, director of apparel sales for adidas America, has agreed to plead guilty to a conspiracy charge involving Just for Feet. The U.S. Attorney's Office in Birmingham, AL confirmed that McCool had been charged with conspiracy to submit false s</p>
<p><i>SPORTS EXECUTIVE WEEKLY</i> has confirmed that Sonny Vaccaro, adidas’ director of basketball, has resigned from the company. The move furthers impacts the floundering adidas basketball program that has lost quite a bit of share to resurgent Reebok and </p>
<p>A strong back-to-school season and solid sales gains continue to fuel optimism in August as retailers begin looking ahead to the fourth quarter. According to the latest NRF-BTM Executive Opinion Survey, a monthly index by the National Retail Federation </p>
<p>Oakley today announced that Scott Bowers, Vice President of Sports Marketing, will take over additional marketing responsibilities for the Oakley brand. In his new role Mr. Bowers will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of Oakley's marketing p</p>
<p>Saucony announced the appointment of Tom Carleo<br />
to the position of Vice President of Marketing for Saucony. In his new position, Carleo will<br />
oversee product marketing direction for all categories of footwear, as well as establishing strategic brand direct</p>
<p>Slazenger Golf Products Company has appointed golf industry veteran Chris Daltorio as the new President and CEO, setting forth a new platform that will allow golfers across the nation to have greater access to Slazenger apparel, gloves and balls. Daltori</p>
