Wolverine Worldwide Sees Shift to At-Once Orders as Backlog Growth Slows
Wolverine Worldwide Inc. shares took a hit last week after the company said a pronounced shift from future orders to at-once orders across its entire brand portfolio was the major cause behind a drop in the growth of backorders from 10% to 4% in the secon
Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. Sales Decrease
The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. said comparable store sales for the five weeks ended July 5, 2008 decreased 6.5% compared to the prior year period. Total sales for the five weeks decreased 6.6% to $261.2 million compared to $279.6 million for the prior year peri
Saks Incorporated Announces June Comparable Store Sales Increase of 1.9%
Retailer Saks Incorporated announced today that owned sales totaled $243.8 million for the five weeks ended July 5, 2008 compared to $237.6 million for the five weeks ended July 7, 2007, a 2.6% increase. Comparable store sales increased 1.9% for the perio
Molten Reaches Settlement with Tachikara
Molten U.S.A., Inc. has agreed to cease use of a VB LITE mark on volleyballs marketed by the company within six months of a June 25, 2008 Settlement Agreement with Tachikara U.S.A., Inc. Tachikara has manufactured and marketed volleyballs for the 12 & und
Darius Billings to Oversee The Athlete’s Foot
NexCen Franchise Management, Inc., a division of NexCen Brands, Inc., has appointed Darius Billings as director of retail brand marketing and merchandising. Billings is charged with the development of strategic brand growth and merchandising for NexCen’s
Target to Launch Shaun White Collection
Target is introducing a limited-time apparel line dubbed “Shaun White for Target” on July 27. White is an Olympic gold medalist in snowboarding and a skateboard competitor, and is known as the “Flying Tomato” because of his red hair. Described by White as
adidas Opens Largest Brand Store in Beijing…
On July 5, adidas opened its largest Brand Center worldwide in Beijing, China. The facility will offer products from both adidas divisions – Sport Performance and Sport Style. One of the highlights of the new adidas Brand Center is miCoach Core Skills, an
Textile Import Growth Slows…
U.S. imports of textiles and clothing grew by only 1.8% in 2007 following a 2.6% increase in 2006 and double-digit growth in seven of the nine years between 1996 and 2005, according to a recently published report by Research and Markets of Ireland.
Study Sees Outdoor Retailers Outshine Full Line Competition in 2008 ‘How America Shops’ Report…
A recent study conducted by The SportsOneSource Group designed to assess the current buying habits of the American public found that price has become the number one motivating factor in determining where to shop for sporting goods or athletic footwear and
Hayes Recalls Quick Release Device
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and Hayes Bicycle Group of Mequon, WI announced a voluntary recall of the SunRinglé Hollow Quick Release devices for bicycles. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instruct
Pre-registration 12% Ahead for Health+Fitness Expo
Health+Fitness Business (HFB), a division of Nielsen Business Media, announced that preliminary figures for its mid July fitness trade show indicate individual store pre-registration is ahead by 12 percent compared to the same time as last year. In additi
Fitting the Female Foot: Expert advice on serving female footwear consumers
Women buy more shoes than men, and are the driving force behind the growth of endurance sports over the last few years, so it is important that we understand some of the differences between men and women when it comes to footwear…
Finish Line Starts New Year with Better Than Expected Results…
After a tough year maligned by the botched acquisition of Genesco Inc. as well as sluggish footwear sales, The Finish Line finally delivered some good news last week with better than expected results for its fiscal first quarter ended May 31. A surge in
Nikwax Puts Global Marketing Under U.S. Exec
U.K.-based Nikwax has put international marketing under Chas Fisher, the president of its North American unit. Fisher will be responsible for the strategic and tactical branding efforts of Nikwax in the global market. He will continue to oversee the compa
Charles River Secures Rights to TopShield
Charles River Apparel announced their nationwide launch of Charles River Sport, their shirt line made exclusively with TopShield moisture management fabric…