Macy’s Comps Fall 7.1%

Macy's Inc. said same-store sales fell 7.1 percent in January. Much of that drop, however, was attributed to one fewer week in January 2008 versus January 2007, but same-store sales still missed Macy's estimate of minus 4 to 6 percent…

Nitches Acquires Backwoods

Nitches announced it has acquired outdoor lifestyle retailer Backwoods Equipment Company, whose operations consist of Backwoods stores and travel service Backwoods Adventures. Jennifer Mull will continue as CEO and President of Backwoods. Nitches, which i

Luxottica Expects to Exceed €6.1 billion by 2009

Luxottica Group S.p.A. expects to exceed €6.1 billion in consolidated sales for fiscal year 2009, assuming an average exchange rate of 1 euro = US$1.45, reflecting an increase of 27% at constant exchange rates from fiscal year 2007. Consolidated sales for

Ryka Hires Ad Agency

Frank About Women, a marketing-to-women consultancy, has secured marketing communications duties for Ryka, a division of American Sporting Goods. Frank About Women will develop the company's launch campaign highlighting Kelly Ripa, the new spokespers

Amer Sees Winter Sports Weakness Drag Q4, 2007 Results

Amer Sports reported a 14.5% decrease in fourth quarter sales to €497.1 million ($720.0 mm) from €581.6 million ($750.0 mm) for the year-ago period. For the full year, net sales decreased 7.8% to €1.65 billion ($2.26 bn) from €1.79 billion ($2.25 bn) last

Red Oak Sportswear to Cease Operations

Red Oak Sportswear, the maker of licensed sports apparel in College Station, TX, plans to cut 124 jobs as it winds down operations, according to documents filed with the Texas Workforce Commission. The company, a division of Illinois-based Knights Apparel

Adidas Partners with US Youth Soccer

The United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer) and adidas formally announced an extension of its marketing partnership that initially began in 1989. In this extension that will run through 2010, with option years that could extend the relati

Sports Direct Partners with China’s ITAT

Sports Direct International PLC, the UK sporting goods conglomerate, announced a strategic relationship with China's ITAT Group to move into the rapidly expanding Chinese retail market before the Beijing Olympics in August. Sports Direct will invest

Burton Acquires Alien Workshop and Habitat

Burton has acquired DNA Distribution, which includes skateboarding brands Alien Workshop, Habitat and Reflex. DNA Distribution will continue to operate in Dayton, Ohio and CEO and Co-Founder Chris Carter will continue to oversee the DNA brands, which incl

Aetrex Names Women’s Product Director

Aetrex Worldwide has named Susan Ryder as the company’s new women’s product director. Ryder, who has worked as a product designer for the footwear industry for more than 20 years, will be responsible for incorporating a fresh design sense into all of Aetr

Icon Eyewear Licenses Avia and AND1 Brands

Icon Eyewear will produce and distribute sunglasses under the AND1 and Avia brands under a licensing agreement with American Sporting Goods. Icon will create AND1 sunglasses designed for the fashion forward, urban man. The Avia brand eyewear will feature

HEAD Teams With 3point5 on Pro Deals

HEAD has partnered with retail training company 3point5.com to administer pro deal programs at specialty retailers. The partership induces Pros at HEAD retailers to study HEAD products on 3point5.com and take online tests to earn points which can be redee

Jarden Names CEO to Ovesee Fishing Brands

Jarden Outdoor Solutions installed another veteran of the consumer packaged goods industry to its executive ranks. Terry Carlson was named president and CEO of Jarden's fishing businesses. Carlson joins Jarden from RayMarine, where he was CEO for the