SGB Update Footwear
Summer Trends Show Shifting Lifestyles, New Priorities
As families struggle with the rising cost of gasoline, the increased cost and inconvenience of summer travel and the much-publicized scare from the effects of BPA in some consumer products, there have also been big benefits this summer for categories and
Quiksilver Finally Sees Light at End of Rossignol Tunnel
Quiksilver, it would appear, has finally found its way out from under the misguided deal it entered into in 2005 to acquire the Rossignol business that also included Cleveland Golf. After making a deal to sell off Cleveland to the parent company of Srixo
Genesco Raises Outlook After Strong Top Line Performance in Second Quarter
Genesco, Inc. had a strong net sales performance in the second quarter as its Journeys concept continues to dominate the fashion athletic footwear category in the mall. The specialty retailer also got a boost from a jump in sales at Hat World and from com
DSW Second Quarter Profit Soars on Improved Merchandise Margins
With tight inventory controls feeding a 44.4% merchandise margin – a 600 basis points improvement over the prior year, DSW Inc. reported Q2 earnings jumped 69%. The margin gain made up for a 6% drop in same-store sales. Occupancy expenses deleveraged 110
Famous Footwear Sees Bright Spot in Athletics in Q2
Although Famous Footwear continues to see encouraging trends in athletics, soft consumer spending led to a decline in store traffic and increased promotional activity as the retail chain showed a 2.9% Q2 comp decline. Earnings came in well below those of
CFL and Reebok Enter Five-Year Partnership Deal
The Canadian Football League and Reebok Canada announced a new five-year deal in which Reebok will be the exclusive supplier of uniforms and sideline apparel for the league…
Danner Gets Largest Military Boot Order of 2008
LaCrosse Footwear’s Danner subsidiary received a $3.2 million delivery order as part of a new contract with the Department of Defense. The contract calls for delivery of the Danner Marine Temperate boot within the next 60 days. The company said this contr
Former Rossignol CEO Lands Deal to Buy Brand
Quiksilver, Inc. found a buyer for the Rossignol Group with help from a former executive and current competitor. The action sports giant said last week it had reached a definitive agreement to sell Rossi to Chartreuse & Mont Blanc (C&MB), a company formed
Cannondale Sports Group President Departs
Dorel Industries Inc. reported that Jeff Frehner, president and CEO of the Cannondale Sports Group (CSG), has decided to leave the company for family reasons. Robert P. Baird, Jr., president of the Dorel's Recreational/Leisure segment, which includes
Rising Costs, Growing Scrutiny Drive ‘SKU Productivity’ at Sierra Designs
As commodity and other input costs rise sharply, lead times grow and retailers order more conservatively, determining how much product to make is getting more difficult for outdoor brands. With that in mind, The B.O.S.S. Report decided to visit with Sierr
REI Names New VP of Information Technology
Recreational Equipment, Inc. named Bill Baumann vice president of information technology (IT). He was most recently the VP of IT with Musician's Friend/Guitar Center in Medford, OR. That company sells more than $600 million a year via its web site, w
SKECHERS Expands into Hong Kong
SKECHERS USA, Inc. announced that it has expanded its operations in Hong Kong and Macau through a joint venture (known as SKECHERS Hong Kong Limited) with the Onwel Group, a leading fashion company in the region. The new joint venture in Hong Kong follows
Warrior Files $30 Million Lawsuit Against NCAA
Warrior Lacrosse, based in Lansing, MI, and Athlete's Connection Inc., a retailer based in Lansing, MI, has filed a lawsuit against the NCAA seeking damages of more than $30 million they say will be caused under new men's lacrosse equipment rule
Winmark Hires CFO
Winmark Corp, the parent of Play it Again Sports, announced the appointment of Tony Ishaug as the chief financial officer. Ishaug was recently chief financial officer and chief operating officer of the Department 56 division of Lenox Group, Inc. He has se
Acushnet Plans Ball Plant in Asia
The Acushnet Company plans to produce its top-selling Titleist Pro-V1 golf balls at a factory somewhere in Asia within 3 to 5 years. Domestic production of the Pro-V1 eventually will be trimmed about 20 percent and an estimated 100 jobs will be eliminated
