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
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
SIA: Internet, Snow Push Sales…
A relative abundance of snow pushed snow sports sales up 13% from August to December compared to the same period last year, Snowsports Industries America reported. Close to half of all dollars in reported sales so far this season were spent in December,
Canada’s Dorel buys Cannondale and Sugoi
Canada's Dorel Industries Ltd. said it acquired Cannondale Bicycle Corporation and Sugoi Performance Apparel in an all cash deal valued at $190 million to $200 million. Cannondale and Sugoi are being purchased from an affiliate of Pegasus Capital Adv
Spyder Acquires Cloudveil…
Spyder Active Sports, Inc. has acquired Cloudveil Mountain Works, Inc. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Under the agreement, Cloudveil will remain a separate brand entity and operate as a wholly owned, independent division of Spyder Active Sports. Cl
L.L. Bean Seeks New Ad Agency
L.L. Bean has placed creative duties on its $40 million advertising account into review, according to adage.com. L.L. Bean currently does not have a creative agency of record and has been farming out work to agencies on a project basis. Its media agency
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
