SGB Update Footwear

Li Ning to Open U.S. Store in Portland

Chinese sports brand Li Ning will test the U.S. market with its first retail outlet outside of Asia by opening a store next month in Nike's backyard. Li Ning disclosed that it has established an R&D facility in Portland, OR to be close to its Asian s

The Bon-Ton Stores Secures Credit Line

A unit of GE Capital said it became co-collateral agent for a $625 million asset-based credit facility for The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. department store chain. The loan will be used to refinance existing debt and for working capital needs. GE Capital Markets

Exped Bolsters North American Team

Exped LLC, the North American subsidiary of Swiss gear maker Exped AG, has hired industry veteran Dave Perella as Director of Customer Service and Logistics…

Outside Magazine to Launch TV Network

Mariah Media Inc., publisher of Outside magazine, plans to launch the Outside Television Network. The network, a partnership with Resort Sports Network (RSN), will be a complete rebranding of the existing Resort Sports Network, the national television net

Vail Resorts Widens Q1 Loss; Season Passes Up Strongly

Vail Resorts widened its losses on lower sales in the first quarter ended Oct. 31, 2009. The company said revenues at its stores and rental shops during the period – its weakest quarter of the year declined 4%, or $900,000, but that season pass sales for

Hi-Tec Entering U.S. Outerwear Market

Hi-Tec, which has become a well established value brand in outdoor footwear, said it will launch its first outerwear line in the United States at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market next month…

SGMA Supports Basketball and Volleyball Tariff Relief

The Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA) said it is aggressively supporting the extension of duty suspension bills on basketballs and volleyballs. If the U.S. Congress approves tariff relief legislation by year's end that includes the SGMA

November Retail Sales Get Little Holiday Lift

The holiday shopping period has officially kicked off with an anti-climactic whimper as warmer-than-usual weather and heedful holiday shoppers were the Grinches that quashed the expectations of optimistic retailers. After growth of 0.1% and 2.3% (inflate

Collective Brands Get Lift from Saucony and Oprah in Third Quarter

Fueled by improvement in the Payless domestic business and continued strong gains at Saucony, Collective Brands Inc. reported adjusted earnings in the third quarter nearly tripled to $39.4 million, or 61 cents a share, up from $13.4 million a year ago…

Gander Mountain Gets Boost from Direct Sales in Fiscal Third Quarter

Gander Mountain Company reported consolidated sales were up 2.5% to $276.6 million for the third quarter ended Oct. 31 compared to revenues of $269.9 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2008. Comparable store sales during the third quarter of fiscal

November Sales Disappoint Outdoor Market

Thanksgiving week and Black Friday weekend were not as strong as many retailers had hoped this year, especially when looking at outdoor equipment, apparel and footwear. Outdoor and snow sports specialty retailers that spoke with The B.O.S.S. Report said t

Backcountry.com Intends to Spin Off New Stoic Apparel Line

Backcountry.com plans to eventually spin off its new high-end Stoic outdoor apparel line launched just last month, the company’s chief marketing officer told The B.O.S.S. Report last week. Backcountry.com began selling the line on its site Nov. 10,

Fenix to Acquire Brunton from Fiskars

Fiskars will divest its Brunton business to Fenix Outdoor AB of Sweden, the parent company of the Swedish brand, Fjällräven. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed…

OIA: October Sales Surge as Cold Weather Kicks In

According to Outdoor industry Association, outdoor retail sales increased 15% in October versus the prior year month. Chain and Specialty stores were each up 12% for the month, while Internet sales were up 27%. Increases were driven by all four product

Bikes Belong Awards Fall Grants

Bikes Belong announced six fall grant awards in in Arkansas, California, Colorado, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia. The grants, made possible by the Bikes Belong Employee Pro Purchase Program, leverage federal funding to help make communities b