SGB Update Footwear
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
Billabong Adds Dakine to Action Sports Empire
Billabong International Ltd. added to its impressive stable of brands, by announcing the acquisition of surf accessories maker DaKine Hawaii Inc.
Bob’s Stores Sold to Private Equity Groups
TJX Cos. Inc. is selling Bob’s Stores to a pair of private equity firms, Philadelphia-based Versa Capital Management and Boston-based Crystal Capital.
Sorensen Looks to Bring Gargoyles Back to Life
FGX International named Scott Sorensen as director of its Quantum Lifestyle/Sun Brands division, where he will be responsible for the Anarchy, Angel and Gargoyles fashion and action sports brands, as well as several of FGXI’s licenses…
Vibram to Open New China Facility
In April 2009, Vibram will celebrate the grand opening of its $12 million facility, the Vibram China Tech Center…
Action Sports Retail Gets a Fresh Look
Dick’s Sporting Goods’ entry into California may open up broader expansion opportunities for action sports lifestyle brands.
Taiwan Bicycle Exports Soar in North America
Taiwan's unit exports of bicycles to North America during the first six months of 2008 rose by 19% to 386,671 bikes from 325,745 bikes in the same period a year earlier, according to statistics from the Taiwan Bicycle Exporters' Association. By
Energy Costs Squeezing Michigan Retailers
Retailers are feeling a double squeeze from rising fuel prices as their own shipping and receiving costs rise even as they try to hold – or even lower – prices to lure consumers with less discretionary income…
Werner Paddles Adds Website Features
Werner Paddles has launched a completely redesigned web site to better support its dealers and consumers.
The paddles remain the emphasis of the site, but improvements have been made to navigation functions and with the introduction of WernerTV Product Vi
ASICS America Expands Corporate Headquarters
ASICS America is moving its corporate headquarters to a larger space in Irvine, CA. The new headquarters is just a few miles east of its current location and will add an additional 11,000 square feet of space. The move is scheduled for September 19, 2008.
