SGB Update Apparel
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
Mizuno Sees Net Income Drop on Q3 Sales Gain
Mizuno Corp. saw first half net sales increase 9.5% to ¥130.11 billion ($1.15 bn) from ¥118.81 billion ($1.01 bn) in the year-ago half. Gross margins declined 90 basis points to 41.6% of sales from 42.5% last year. Net income dropped 22.0% to ¥2.87 billio
Bakers Footwear Gets Funding
Bakers Footwear Group issued 350,000 shares of common stock and entered into a $7.5 million subordinated secured term loan with Private Equity Management Group (PEMG) and an entity affiliated with PEMG. Bakers received net proceeds of about $6.7 million a
VF Corp. Sees 22% Q4 Growth Fueled by Outdoor Coalition
VF Corporation saw fourth quarter revenues increase 22% to a record $1.96 billion, compared with $1.60 billion in the fourth quarter of 2006. Net income grew 51.4% for the quarter to $164.4 million from $108.6 million in the year-ago quarter. For the full
Sports Chalet Posts Q3 Loss
Sport Chalet, Inc. reported that including a non-cash impairment charge, its net loss for Q3 was $682,000, or 5 cents a share. On January 14, the retailer warned that it would lose between 6 cents to 9 cents a share after a charge of approximately $2.1 m
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
New Balance Sponsors LifeSport
New Balance signed on as official performance footwear and apparel supplier to LifeSport, the premier triathlon coaching service and event management organizations. Based in Victoria, British Columbia, Lifesport is recognized as the Official Coaches of I
ECCO Appoints Head of Global Golf
ECCO has named Michael Waack as Head of Global Golf. Based at ECCO corporate headquarters in Tønder, Denmark, Waack will be tasked with overseeing continued expansion of the brand's distinctive golf shoes in existing markets and developing robust sal
Under Armour Gears Up for Future in Footwear…
Not much has changed in the two weeks since Wall Street punished Under Armour, Inc. for its guidance that 2008 first half profits would sink due to increased marketing spending to support the launch of its performance trainers, but perhaps the market is w
The SportsOneSource Group Expands into New Offices…
The SportsOneSource Group is again expanding its team as it positions itself for the future. SportsOneSource has absorbed into Charlotte, NC all media operations and production that had been housed in New York before SOS acquired the media business, whic
HBI Sees Champion Sales Up Double-Digits in ‘07…
The Champion brand delivered double-digit sales gains for the third year in a row while sales of Hanes brands were up mid-single-digits…
Cabela’s Cuts Store Plans Amid Retreating Comps…
Cabela’s Inc. said it will slash capital spending by 70% so it can focus on increasing profits at its existing stores after missing its fourth quarter financial targets. The outdoor retailer said it would scale back store openings from eight last year to
Sport Supply Group Returns to Profitability in Fiscal Second Quarter…
Sport Supply Group, the entity formed with the merger of Collegiate Pacific and the former Sport Supply Group, reported last week that fiscal second quarter revenues rose 9.5% to $54 million from $49 million in the prior-year period. The bottom line for
Wolverine World Wide Again Led by Outdoor Group in 2007; Sees Strong 2008…
Wolverine World Wide is celebrating the 125-year birthday for the Wolverine brand this year, but it is the company’s Outdoor Group that is getting all the attention once again as it set the pace for revenue growth for the 2007 fourth quarter and year, wit
Ralph Parks Takes CEO Reins at Heelys…
Heelys, Inc. reported late Friday that its board had accepted the resignation of Michael G. Staffaroni, CEO of Heelys, Inc. since 2001. Ralph Parks, former president and CEO of FootAction USA, will serve as interim CEO. Parks was named to the Heelys boar
