SGB Update Outdoor
American Recreation Sees Weakness in Mass Market…
Kellwood, the parent company to Kelty, Sierra Designs, and Slumberjack, reported sales in the first quarter of $639.4 million, down 6.9% from $686.1 million last year. Net earnings for the first quarter were $12.5 million or 45 cents per diluted share ver
Scott Kaier Joins Pale Morning Media
After months of courtship and waffling, Pale Morning Media LLC is pleased to announce the arrival of Scott Kaier as a full-time staff addition. A veteran of the outdoor retailing arena with more than eight years of floor and management experience, Kaier b
Footwear Manufacturers Prepare for Beijing Olympics…
The China Economic News Service reported that several major Taiwan-based footwear manufacturers are ramping up production in order to meet demand, which is expected to spike in conjunction with the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Pou Chen Corp. has been co
Woolrich Names Shearer National Sales Manager
Tyler Shearer has been name Sales Manager of the Woolrich Apparel Division. In his new role, Shearer will be responsible for all field sales while focusing on
Woolrich pinnacle and mainstream accounts. All Woolrich sales representatives will report direc
Merrell Inks Footwear Licensing Deal with Patagonia…
Patagonia and Wolverine World Wide have inked a licensing agreement under which WWW’s Merrell brand will design, manufacture and market under the Patagonia name with rights to Water Girl and Lotus Designs. The first product line is expected at retail in s
Lafuma Takes Control of Oxbow…
Lafuma has completed its initial acquisition of Oxbow from the majority shareholder, Teahupoo, gaining 63.7% ownership of the company. Lafuma will now submit a draft standing offer at a price of €10.75 per OXBOW share cum-dividend and as a result OXBOW’s
Lapierre and Accell Land on U.S. Soil…
Lapierre Cycles, a member of Accell Group, opened a branch office in North America, and plans on distributing a complete line of road and mountain bikes starting in October 2005 at Interbike. After an investigative trip to the States in April for the Sea
Exel Sustains Nordic Walking Funding…
Exel’s efforts at expanding the Nordic Walking market internationally have not yet shown an any dividends, but the company stated that it will continue to invest in this emerging market in both North America and China. The Finnish company’s Q1 interim rep
The Great Malls of China…
The International Herald Tribune is reporting that the retail environment in China is not growing steadily, but rather it is growing in leaps and bounds with new “mega-malls” opening at a rapid rate. Apparently, by the year 2010 seven of the world’s ten l
Vaude Signs Agreement With Distributor Liberty Mountain
Liberty Mountain, one of the largest distributors of outdoor products in the U.S. has signed an agreement for exclusive distribution of the VAUDE line of technical outdoor products in the United States. Starting in 2006, Liberty Mountain will offer VAUDE&
Spalding Rolls Out Global Brand Marketing Strategy
Spalding is introducing a new worldwide vision to unify and grow its well known, 129-year old business. In addition to expanding its predominant position in basketball, the high quality sporting goods manufacturer plans to expand its business in existing
Quiksilver Second Quarter Income Jumps 25% with 32% Sales Gain
Quiksilver's consolidated net revenues for the second quarter of fiscal 2005 increased 32% to $426.9 million as compared to fiscal 2004 second quarter consolidated net revenues of $322.6 million. Consolidated net income for the second quarter of fisc
Lotto 2004 Sales Increase Slightly in Challenging Environment
Sales of Lotto brand products around the world ended 2004 at €256 million ($318.4 mm), up slightly from the sales figures posted in 2003 of €255 million ($336.8 mm). The Mediterranean area gave the strongest performance in terms of proportion of sales: th
Finish Line Comp Growth Starts to Moderate in Q1…
The Finish Line got their biggest gains from the children’s and women’s business in the first quarter, while weakness in the licensed apparel category ate into gains in branded apparel and the total results for the retailer. Total net sales for the fisca
Conservation Aliance Launches New Phase with Money from Keen Grant
Sixteen years ago, a group of outdoor business leaders began the Conservation Alliance. Since then, the Alliance has grown into a unique funding source for grassroots conservation groups as the only environmental grantmaker whose funds come from the non-m
