SGB Update Apparel

Lafuma Fiscal 2005 Profits Climb 3%

The Lafuma Group results for fiscal the year ended September 30, 2005, reflect a year of strategic development, acquisition-based growth and a slower economic environment. Net profits were up 3.3 % at €8.4 million ($10.5 mm) benefited from the positive i

Earth Products Opens New EU Headquarters

Earth Products announced a global expansion and commitment to increasing its reach of Adio, Holden and Planet Earth brands with the addition of Earth Products Europe, the company’s new European headquarters based in Münster, Germany. The strategy for Eart

lucy Sees Landmark Year in 2005

It's been a landmark year for lucy, a growing women's activewear company, with the opening of 10 new stores, including its first East Coast locations; more than $20 million in series G financing; raising more than $16,000 to benefit breast cance

Light Speed Sales Joins Lowa

Light Speed Sales Agency, headed by Brian Hamann, has come on board as the sales, service, and marketing organization for LOWA boots in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. The announcement was made by Peter Sachs,

Vail Resorts Sees Healthy Signs for Ski Season…

While Vail Resorts is creating some consumer excitement over the coming 2005-06 ski season, the company’s first fiscal quarter, which relies primarily on real estate sales, conferences, and summer activities, is seeing some considerable improvements to it

Early Winter Storms Boost Outdoor Retail…

Retailers around the country have planned for a year much like last year, with those in the East bracing for another late season, the Northwest running dry, while others worried as heavy pre-Thanksgiving powder failed to materialize. But the last week ha

REI’s Hyde Joins Zumiez Board

Zumiez Inc. appointed Matthew L. Hyde to the Company's Board of Directors. Mr. Hyde is SVP of merchandising logistics at Recreational Equipment Inc. and also serves on the boards of Ivey Imaging, the Outdoor Industry Association and the Youth Outdoor

adidas Unveils New World Cup Match Ball

adidas unveiled the new Match Ball for the 2006 FIFA World Cup during the Final Draw on Friday. The new adidas +Teamgeist introduces a new 14-panel configuration reducing the amount of three-panel touch points by 60% and the total length of the panel line

lululemon atheltica Gets Investment Boost from Advent International

Advent International announced it has acquired a significant minority interest in Vancouver-based lululemon
athletica, an athletics and yoga apparel specialty retailer. The transaction is expected to support the company's growth strategy in the US an

Level Gloves Restructures Sales Force

Level USA, the US distributor for Level ski and snowboard gloves, has reconfigured its sales force for 2005-06. Going forward, all Level USA reps will sell both Level’s ski and snowboard lines…

Scott USA Plans to Enter XC Full-Suspension Market

Scott USA will develop a new XC full suspension design for 2007. The company has been blocked from selling it’s Genius full suspension mountain bike in the US, though it will continue to sell this award winning design in some 60 other countries around the

Sears Holdings Looks to Acquire Sears Canada

Sears Holdings Corporation is proposing to acquire all of the outstanding common shares of Sears Canada Inc., for C$16.86 per common share in cash, after the distribution to shareholders of the C$18.64 per share distribution announced last Friday by the B

Specialized Wins FSR Patent Case

After a year and a half of arbitration and courtroom battles, Specialized has successfully defended its FSR suspension system. Under the terms of a recently reached agreement, Scott USA admits that its existing Genius bicycle suspension design infringes o

Easton Sports Canada Makes Organizational Changes

Easton Sports Canada announced several position changes to that will help the company to serve retailers throughout Canada and Europe. Luc Leboeuf will represent Easton hockey products in western Quebec. Jason Brown has joined the Canadian hockey sales ma

Gildan Posts Strong Q4; Hints at Possible Sock Deal…

Gildan Activewear saw a strong fourth quarter help finish a strong 2005 that left the company with a decent chunk of cash on hand and several options to explore. Small one-time fees were about the only downside as management discussed growing market shar