SGB Update Apparel

Costco Comps Slip 2% in January

Costco Wholesale Corporation reported net sales of $5.10 billion for the month of January, down 0.2% from $5.11 billion for the same period last year. Comparable store sales for the month declined 2.0% after an increase of 7.0% last year. For the first tw

Stage Stores January Comps Fall 13.1%

Stage Stores, Inc. said total sales for the four-week period ended Jan. 31, 2009 decreased 9.4% to $74.4 million from $82.1 million in the prior year four week period ended Feb. 2, 2008. Comparable store sales for the month decreased 13.1% versus an incre

Fairway and Greene Inks PGA Deal

The Wyndham Championship has signed a new three-year deal with Fairway & Greene, which will produce official apparel for the PGA Tour event. As the official provider, Connecticut-based Fairway & Greene will produce all apparel for tournament officials, st

Skechers Warns of Fourth Quarter Loss as Margins Contract

Skechers USA, Inc. said its fourth quarter 2008 results are expected to be significantly below the range of its previous outlook. For the fourth quarter of 2008, the company now expects net sales to be in the range of $290 million to $300 million and a ne

RECALL: Mavic Bikes

About 12,000 bicycles with R-SYS front wheel rims, made in France and imported by Mavic USA, of Haverhill, Mass. were recalled because the spokes on the front wheel rim can break during use, posing a fall and crash hazard to riders. The company has receiv

Adventure Medical Kits Names Pacific Northwest Reps

Adventure Medical Kits, the developer of safety and survival gear for outdoor enthusiasts, announced that it has tapped Seattle, Washington-based Alta Group Inc. to represent its lines in Oregon and Washington state…

Sport Chalet Reviews Strategic Alternatives

Sport Chalet, Inc. said it was evaluating strategic alternatives, including raising additional capital and amending or replacing its current credit facility. This includes retaining Wedbush Morgan Securities as its financial adviser…

Lorpen Hires U.S. Sales Manager

Lorpen, the designer of high performance socks for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, announced today that Bruce Barrows has been hired as U.S. Sales Manager. Barrows will be responsible for the marketing and sales of Lorpen socks within the U.S. and growi

Escalade’s CFO Resigns

Escalade, Inc. said it has accepted the resignation of Terry D. Frandsen as vice president and chief financial officer. Robert J. Keller, Escalade's president and chief executive officer, said that the company and Frandsen had reached a mutual decis

Kmart Introducing Athletic Line

Kmart is introducing an exclusive athletic footwear and apparel collection called Protege and created by NBA star Al Harrington. The launch of Protege is part of Kmart's footwear re-launch which will feature new and exclusive brands both in stores n

When Trade Shows Feel More Like Job Fairs

Not unlike other trade shows this last month, the PGA Merchandise Show last week continued the mood as the usually festive atmosphere worked to fight its way to the surface. Thursday seemed slow and quiet, though weather and flight delays may have played

Hartmarx Files for Chapter 11

Hartmarx Corp., which makes the Jack Nicklaus, Bobby Jones and Lyle & Scott golf apparel collections, filed for Chapter 11 protection in an Illinois federal bankruptcy court, citing a “substantial decline” in sales to consumers and retailers as well as li

Luxottica to Destroy Pirated Glasses

Luxottica Group S.p.A. has been cleared to obliterate almost 144,000 pairs of counterfeit Ray-Ban glasses, uncovered during a raid of a Chinese distributor. The Milan-based maker of fashion and sports eyewear received a final order by the Consumer Protect

SIA 09: Youth Culture Expands Influence

SIA 2009 was a surprisingly lively show considering the widespread declines in many other trade and consumer shows in recent weeks. While Outdoor Retailer Winter Market reported a 5% decline in attendees, and ASR attendance was down significantly, SIA is