September Comp Sales Signals Improvement, but…
Based on a survey of 31 retail chains conducted by the International Council of Shopping Centers, September comparable-store sales eked out a small 0.1% gain versus the comparable month in 2008, but the results have more asterisks than Barry Bonds’
TAF Parent Works to Get Back into SEC Compliance; Narrows Q1 Loss
NexCen Brands, Inc., the parent of The Athlete's Foot (TAF), finally filed its fiscal 2008 full year and 2009 first quarter results with the Securities and Exchange Commission following a lengthy probe into accounting irregularities. Although the com
Dorel Plots Aggressive Growth for Sugoi and Apparel Business
Dorel Industries Inc. announced a series of initiatives to rapidly expand its performance apparel division, which includes Sugoi. The moves include the previously-reported hiring of Chris Fuentes, a former VF Corp. marketing executive, as president of the
Wolverine World Wide Lifts Guidance on Improved Order Trends
Wolverine World Wide reported a 10% decline in fiscal third quarter sales, but raised its fiscal year guidance due to improving backlog order trends and healthier sales at its own stores. On a conference call with analysts, Blake Krueger, Wolverine's
Saucony and Keds Implementing Youth Strategies
In looking to fulfill his vision of seeing Saucony become “the next great global athletic brand,” Richie Woodworth, the running brand's president, pointed out that Saucony had to do a better job attracting men…
The New, Two-Wheeled Morning Commute
Last summer, bike-shop managers across the country heard the same refrain from new customer after new customer: “Gas prices are too high!” The buzz over bike transportation as a low-energy, low-cost, calorie-burning, healthy alternative to cars was buildi
September Outdoor Product Sales Start to Show a Rebound
The month of September started to show the first real signs of a rebound in the outdoor retail landscape. The combination of a decent back-to-school season and several favorably shifting trends helped boost outdoor apparel, footwear and equipment sales fo
OIA: August Outdoor Sales Soft, Upward Movement in Select Categories
According to Outdoor Industry Association, retail sales for all chain, Internet and specialty outdoor stores declined 6% in August of 2009 compared the same month in 2008, declining from $346 million to $325 million. Year-to-date sales (January – August 2
Early Snow in Colorado and California Brings and Early Start to Ski Season
After seeing reports from the NOAA about higher than normal, El Nino-fueled snowfall for the 2009-10 snow sports season, many in the industry saw a silver lining in the cloud of economic recession that has wreaked havoc on the ski and snowboard industries
Survey: Consumers Keep Buying Green
According to a survey from Massachusetts-based research group Grail Research, 86% of U.S. consumers have bought at least some green products. The survey found that that only 1% of those who previously purchased green products had abandoned that category a
Columbia Names GM of Apparel Merchandising
Columbia Sportswear Company has appointed Adrienne Lefebre Moser to the newly created position of general manager, apparel merchandising for the Columbia brand…
Firearms Industry Applauds Introduction Fishing and Hunting Heritage Bill
The National Shooting Sports Foundation applauded the introduction of legislation, the Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act (HR 3749), to greatly enhance the ability of federal land managers to provide, promote and plan for recr
New Legislation Will Protect Recreational Hunting and Fishing on Federal Land
Two bills introduced by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R- AK) and U.S. Representative Dan Boren (D- OK) will protect recreational hunting, fishing and shooting on land administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service, according to
TRCP Advances Suit against BLM over Wyoming Energy Project
The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership said it took an aggressive step forward in holding the federal government accountable for management commitments it made on a southwestern Wyoming energy project by filing a legal brief in a suit against the
NRA: New Bill Promotes and Creates Target Shooting Ranges
The expansion of America’s urban and suburban areas has crowded out many shooting areas and made it increasingly difficult to find a place to shoot, according to a release by the National Rifle Association. On Sept. 24, 2009, Senators Mark Udall (D-
