QBP to Design Commuter Shop for Minneapolis Bike Co-Op
The Hub Bicycle Co-Op in Minneapolis has contracted the QBP ReTale Program to design a bike-commuter store in the new University of Minnesota (U of M) Bike Center…
REI Launches First TV Advertising Campaign
REI has launched two commercials in eight cities, marking its first foray into TV advertising. The 30-second commercials, filmed in British Columbia in partnership with BBDO Atlanta, are called “Tree” and “Fine Dining” and are estimated to reach 30 millio
Zappos Launches First Catalog
Zappos.com has launched its first catalog, Zappos Life. About 750,000 copies are being mailed as part of a holiday campaign. The 48-page catalog focuses on footwear, handbags, jewelry, clothing and fragrances…
Tom Fuller Joins Bushnell As National Sales Manager for Military Division
Bushnell has announced that retired US Army Sergeant Major Tom Fuller has been hired as National Sales Manager for their military business. Tom was most recently a Sergeant Major with the United States Army Marksmanship Unit.
Date Set for Court to Hear Oral Arguments McDonald v. City of Chicago 2nd Amendment Case
The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in the McDonald v. City of Chicago case on Tuesday, March 2, 2010, according to a release by the National Rifle Association…
THOR Global Defense Group Addresses Piracy Concerns of Shipping Companies
Arkansas based security firm THOR Global Defense Group has begun talks today with at least 16 oceanic freight companies who have begun a search for an alternative for the high ransoms demanded in the influx pirate attacks of recent months…
Cold Temperatures Help Boost October Outdoor Industry Sales
Retail sales for all core outdoor stores combined (chain, internet, specialty)* rose 15%, compared to last October, moving from $338M to $390M, according to the most recent edition of the Outdoor Industry Association® (OIA) Outdoor Topline Report…
NBS Announces New Members
Nation’s Best Sports buying group has added the following new members in 2009: Complete Athlete, Port Neches, TX; D & D Sporting Goods, Houston, TX; Georgetown Sporting Goods, Georgetown, TX; GL Sports, Brainerd, MN; JLMP Sportswear, Newark, NJ; and
The Walking Co. Files for Chapter 11
The Walking Company Holdings, Inc. filed for voluntary Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection, citing uncooperative landlords. The 210-store comfort shoe chain said it is seeking to renegotiate rents, shed its unprofitable stores and emerge from Chapter 11 in e
Fenix Outdoor to Acquire Brunton
Fiskars announced plans to sell its Brunton business to Fenix Outdoor AB of Sweden. Terms were not disclosed. In a statement, Fiskars, which is based in Finland, said it plans to focus on its Gerber brand in its US-based Outdoor operations…
Stride Rite Children’s Group Appoints President
The Stride Rite Children's Group (SRCG) unit of Collective Brands Performance + Lifestyle Group announced that it has appointed Sharon John as its unit president. John will lead SRCG and its expanding portfolio of brands including Stride Rite, Robeez
Phoenix Footwear Gets New Credit Line
Phoenix Footwear Group, Inc. has entered into a new two year, secured revolving credit facility with First Community Financial, a division of Pacific Western Bank…
Retailers’ Emails Soared Over Weekend
Online retailers turned on the email spigot over the Thanksgiving holiday, according to new research from the direct marketing firm Smith-Harmon. The percentage of Web retailers sending out promotional emails set a record every day during the weekend…
Adidas Unveils New World Cup Ball
Adidas unveiled its World Cup match ball Friday to coincide with the official group draw. The 32-team soccer tournament kicks off June 11 in Johannesburg and Cape Town, with preliminary-round fixtures split among nine host cities.
Sunglass Hut Inks Exclusive Sunglass Deal with Macy’s
Macy's and Luxottica group S.p.A. signed an agreement to open additional Sunglass Hut points of sale in about 430 Macy's department stores in the United States. Under the agreement, Sunglass Hut will be the exclusive operator of Macy's in-s
