SGB Update Apparel

Vermont Organic Fiber Names Ed Kiniry CEO

Vermont Organic Fiber Co., based in Middlebury, VT, has hired veteran outdoor industry entrepreneur Edward ('Ed') Kiniry as CEO. Formerly, he was president of Winterquest, LLC, the parent company of Tubbs and Atlas snowshoes, selling the company

NSGA Confirms Key Speakers for Conference

Best Buy President & Chief Operating Officer Brian Dunn is among the featured speakers who have been confirmed for the 45th Annual NSGA Management Conference & 11th Annual Team Dealer Summit, which will be held May 3-6, 2009, at the Westin La Cantera Reso

Study: Obese Now Outweigh the Overweight

A new study by the National Center for Health Statistics finds that the number of obese American adults outweighs the number of those who are considered merely overweight for the first time. The study shows that more than 34% of Americans are obese, compa

Avia Partners with Troy Lee Designs

Avia announced a new partnership deal with Troy Lee Designs (TLD), the southern California-based company that produces custom graphic designs for the “world’s fastest racers.” TLD will co-create a collection of AVIA racing shoes with a limited release per

Suunto Names New Director of Marketing

Suunto North America announces Nate Randle as their Director of Marketing. Randle will start Jan. 19, 2009 for the manufacturer of precision sports instruments…

BJ’s Comps Up Slightly for December

BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. reported total sales for December 2008 increased by 3.2% to $1.06 billion from $1.03 billion in December 2007. On a comparable club basis, sales increased by 1.6% for the month of December, including a negative impact from s

Wolverine to Acquire Cushe Footwear Brand

Wolverine World Wide, Inc. announced the acquisition of the Cushe (pronounced “cushy”) footwear brand, a move the company says will drive new global opportunities and leverage the strength of Wolverine's proven business model and operating infrastruc

J.C. Penney Dec. Comps Fall 8.1%

J. C. Penney Company, Inc. comparable store sales decreased 8.1% for the five-week period ended Jan. 3, 2009, better than the company’s guidance for a low-double digit decrease…

December Comp Sales Flat for Ross Stores

Ross Stores, Inc. saw sales of $802 million for the five weeks ended Jan. 3, 2009, a 6% increase over the $755 million in sales for the five weeks ended Jan. 5, 2008. Same store sales for the five weeks ended Jan. 3, 2009 were flat on top of a 3% increase

Nordstrom Comps Drop 10.6% in December

Nordstrom, Inc. net sales declined 8.0% for fiscal December to $1.13 billion from $1.22 billion for the year-ago period. Same-store sales for December decreased 10.6% compared with the same period in fiscal 2007…

Stein Mart December Comps Fall 9.3%, Reduces Expense Structure

Stein Mart, Inc. saw total sales for the five-week period ending Jan. 3, 2009 of $178 million, a decrease from $196.3 million during the comparable period last year. Comparable store sales dropped 9.3% for the five-week period ended Jan. 3, 2008, an incre

TJX Sees Flat December Comps, Updates Q4 Outlook

The TJX Companies, Inc. saw sales for the five-week period ended Jan. 3, 2009, of $2.37 billion, a 3% decrease from the $2.43 billion achieved during the five-week period ended Jan. 5, 2008. Consolidated comparable store sales for the five-week period end

Reports: Layoffs at Reef

Reef has laid off as many as 42 employees from its Carlsbad, CA, headquarters, according to several published reports…

Russell Shuttering More Alex City Ops; Lays Off 250+

Russell Corporation announced the 'phasing out' of its fabrics operation in Alexander City, AL, and the layoff of more than 250 employees due to the “current economic conditions, in addition to increasing costs and import pressures from Asia.”..