SGB Update

L.L. Bean Closing Waterville Call Center

L.L. Bean is closing its call center in Waterville, Maine at the end of April. A spokesperson for the company told WCSH-TV that all year-round employees have been offered positions at call centers in Portland, Bangor or Lewiston…

Stride Rite Introduces Walking-Training Baby Shoes

The Stride Rite Children’s Group launched a new collection of baby shoes with patent-pending Sensory Response Technology (SRT). The technology is designed to improve the way a child learns to walk via a sensory feedback system. The company said its

Nemo Equipment Hires Momentum Sales Group

Nemo Equipment hired Momentum Sales Group as their rep group for the Southeast U.S. Bringing Momentum on will ensure that dealers in the Southeast get the attention and support they need when offering NEMO products to their customers…

Macy’s Comps Slip 2.3% in September

Macy’s, Inc. total sales were $2.04 billion for the five week month of September, a decrease of 2.4% compared with total sales of $2.09 billion in the five weeks ended Oct. 4, 2008. On a same-store basis, Macy’s, Inc. sales were down 2.3% in S

OIA: Nearly 18 Million Americans Participated in Paddlesports

Outdoor Industry Association and The Outdoor Foundation released A Special Report on Paddlesports – which provides a detailed look at participation in kayaking, canoeing, and rafting among Americans. Among other findings, the report reveals that nearly 18

BJ’s Reports 0.5% Dip in September Same-Store Sales

BJ’s Wholesale Club, said comparable club sales during September decreased by 0.5%, including a negative impact of 6.0% from lower gasoline prices and volumes versus last year. Excluding the negative impact of gasoline sales, merchandise comparable

Bent Up Cycles Purchases Barcroft

Bent Up Cycles, one of the country’s largest retailers of recumbent bicycles, purchased Barcroft Cycles, the Falls Church, VA-based manufacturer of recumbent bicycles as the Barcroft Dakota, the Barcroft Virginia, the Barcroft Oregon and the Barcrof

NRF Seeks to Reconsider Lobbyist’s Ban

The National Retail Federation asked President Obama to reconsider a new ban on registered lobbyists serving on committees created by Congress that advise the Administration on international trade policy issues…

Kohl’s September Comps Jump 5.5%

Kohl’s Corporation total sales for the five-week month of September 2009 increased 9.6% from the five-week month ended October 4, 2008. On a comparable store basis, sales increased 5.5% for the month of September…

Dickies Hires First Full-Service Ad Agency

Dickies has hired Goodby, Silverstein & Partners (GS&P) as its first ever full-service advertising agency of record. Historically, Dickies has managed creative advertising in-house, developing memorable and targeted efforts like the long-running “Legend I

J. C. Penney Comps Fall 1.4% in September

J. C. Penney Company, Inc. comparable store sales for the five-week period ended Oct. 3, 2009, decreased 1.4%, better than the company’s guidance for sales to decrease 3% to 6%. In last year’s September period, comparable store sales decrease

Easton Hockey Signs NHL All-Stars

Easton Hockey announced the signing of multi-year, head-to-toe contract extensions with NHL All-Stars Zdeno Chara (Boston Bruins) and Ryan Getzlaf (Anaheim Ducks), in addition to deals with Brent Burns (Minnesota Wild), Derek Roy (Buffalo Sabres) and Mike

Nordstrom September Comps Inch Up 0.3%

Nordstrom, Inc. reported a 2.4% decrease in same-store sales for the five-week period ended October 3, 2009. Preliminary total retail sales increased 0.3% for the month…