Leonard Armato Becomes CMO and President of Skecher’s Fitness Group
Leonard Armato, former chairman, chief executive and commissioner of the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP), has joined Skechers as chief marketing officer and president of the company's Fitness Group…
Garmin Proposes Moving from Caymans to Switzerland
Citing growth in Europe, Garmin said its board of directors have approved moving the company's place of incorporation from the Caymans to Switzerland. If approved by regulators and shareholders the move will allow the company to be closer to its grow
Sports Direct Purchase of 31 JJB Stores Cleared by Competition Commission
The Competition Commission in the U.K. has formally cleared Sport Direct's acquisition of 31 shops from rival JJB Sports. The competition watchdog ruled that it was unlikely that there would be higher prices or a reduction in quality and choice for c
Natalie Coughlin Signs Contract Extension With Speedo Through 2013
Speedo, the division of Warnaco Swimwear, Inc., announced the extension of its long-time partnership with 11-time Olympic medalist Natalie Coughlin through 2013…
REI Volunteer Expeditions Offer Community Service Overseas
REI Adventures launched “Volunteer Expeditions” trips that will allow travelers to work on trail renovation and other community service projects at destinations like Machu Picchu and Patagonia. The trips are being arranged in partnership with the non-prof
PUMA Acquires Cobra Golf
In a deal that had been anticipated for nearly a year, Puma signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the golf equipment brand Cobra Golf from Acushnet Company, the golf business of Fortune Brands, Inc., continuing the trend of consolidation in the golf mark
Vail Resorts Season-to-Date Retail Sales up 3.8%
Vail Resorts released figures last week showing its rental/retail sales growth accelerating in January and February, but said a late start to winter in Colorado will make it difficult to meet the company’s earlier earnings guidance…
Hibbett Sports Scores Best Comp in Over 10 Years: Rosenthal Takes the Reins
Helped by championship seasons by both the University of Alabama and the New Orleans Saints, Hibbett Sports notched its best quarterly same-store performance in over 10 years and comps are running up over double-digits so far in the first quarter…
Paddle Council Meeting at Canoecopia Establishes Fragile Consensus
With numerous retailers and vendors in town for Canoecopia, Madison, WI proved to be a solid venue to re-start the discussions initiated by the Paddle Council at Outdoor Retailer (OR) Summer Market 2009 and at OIA Rendezvous in September of last year…
Nike Brand Awareness Pushing 99% for Athletic Footwear Buyers
For those working in the sporting goods industry it might be a given, and even before the most recent Olympic Winter Games gave it yet more lift in the market place, the Nike brand was recognized by nearly 99% of all respondents to a recent survey conduct
Nike Again Dominates SportsOneSource Brand Brackets for 2010
With the field of 65 teams now set for the 2010 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, Nike will once again be the brand seen the most by viewers of the event, as 78% of the teams (51 total) in the field will sport the Swoosh in some form, e
Phillips-Van Heusen to Buy Tommy Hilfiger for $3 Billion
Phillips-Van Heusen Corp., owner of Calvin Klein, agreed to buy Tommy Hilfiger B.V. for $3.0 billion) plus the assumption of $137 million in liabilities. The consideration includes $2.62 billion in cash and $377.5 million in PVH common stock. The combinat
OBIT: L.D. Agee
L.D. Agee, owner of Agee's Sporting Goods in Murfreesboro, TN, passed away at the age of 74…
Collective Brands Cuts Q4 Loss; Saucony/Sperry Top-Sider Pace Sales
Boosted by significantly higher gross margins, Collective Brands, Inc. slashed its loss in the fourth quarter on slightly improved revenues from strong growth at Saucony and Sperry Top-Sider and a gain at Payless International that offset a modest decline
K-Swiss Launches Global Brand Campaign
K-Swiss will launch a new global campaign aimed at communicating its California roots entitled, “Have an Awesome Day.” The campaign, which includes television spots, print and interactive elements, will break on Monday, March 15, 2010 in the U.S. with its
