Tech Attributes Still King in Outdoor Apparel
Partnerships between leading outdoor technical apparel brands and manufacturers of technical fabrics continue to bring innovation to outdoor specialty retailers, but retailers want vendors to keep lifestyle in mind as well when developing new products. Ne
Layoffs at Brown Shoe and Macy’s
Macy's Inc. and Brown Shoe Co. joined a number of companies announcing major layoffs to streamline operations in the face of the recession. Macy's plans to cut 7,000 jobs, or 4% of its workforce, while Brown Shoe, the parent of Famous Footwear,
Oil, Gas Leases in Utah Cancelled
U.S. Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar said that the department is canceling 77 oil and gas leases in Utah issued in the final days of the Bush Administration. The decision means that more than 100,000 acres of Utah wild lands and recreation destinations
Wolverine World Wide Maintains Full Year Sales Growth Despite Q4 Decline
Wolverine managed to maintain full year sales growth despite difficult trading conditions in the fourth quarter that led to decreased sales from last year’s fourth quarter. Growth for the year was once again driven by the company’s Outdoor Group and more
Russell Athletic to Sponsor AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Teams
Russell Athletic has become an Official Apparel Sponsor of the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball, America's professional beach volleyball tour. Under the three-year agreement, Russell will have a branded presence at the on-site merchandise tent at each tour s
Twins Enterprise Rebrands
Twins Enterprise is shifting directions to show off the brand's heritage and the unique story of how the company has come to be a major player in the sports licensed products market…
Adidas Sees Currency Fluctuation Risks
In an interview with Bloomberg Television in Wiesbaden, Germany, Adidas AG Chief Executive Officer Herbert Hainer said currency fluctuations are the biggest risk for Adidas’s business in 2009. Hainer particularly cited the declining value of the ruble
Crocs Asks Distributors to Absorb IP Enforcement Fees
Crocs is taking steps to save a few dollars by not spending as much on legal fees. The company has created a new model of intellectual property rights enforcement activity in all distributor regions in which distributors contribute to legal fees…
Sporting Goods Exempted From Phthalates Ban
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, sporting goods (except for toy versions of a sporting good) are exempted from the definition of a toy and not subject to the ban on phthalates in toys. CPSC also said exempted bicycles, playground equip
Amer Q4 Profit Hurt by Steep Declines in Americas
Double-digit declines in the Americas region caused Amer Sports' Q4 sales to dip slightly to €495.3 million ($653.2 mm) versus €497.1 million ($720.0 mm) in the year-ago period. Currency fluctuations added 3% to the sales figures for the priod. Und
CenterStone’s B2B E-Commerce Solutions Receive Record Adoption
For the fourth consecutive year, CenterStone Technologies reported record numbers for transactions processed through its iVendix and Escape B2B e-commerce applications in 2008. The company's solutions have helped to expand the marketplace for vendors
Court at Odds with CPSC on Safety Act Provisions
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a one year “Stay on Enforcement” for the submission of “Testing and Certification” of compliance with the new lead and phthalates laws. The CPSC said it would not require Testing and Certification on prod
Siegel Returns to Lacoste
Devanlay SA announced the appointment of Robert Siegel as CEO of Devanlay U.S. Inc., the licensee for Lacoste branded apparel in the U.S. He replaces Robert Skinner, Jr., who has resigned due to differences with the Board…
Canada Anti-Dumping Complaint Filed Against China and Vietnam…
The Shoe Manufacturers Association of Canada requested that the Canada Border Services Agency re-investigate pricing of waterproof rubber footwear and bottoms exported or originating from the People's Republic of China and Vietnam…
Skechers Warns of Fourth Quarter Loss as Margins Contract
Skechers USA, Inc. said its fourth quarter 2008 results are expected to be significantly below the range of its previous outlook. For the fourth quarter of 2008, the company now expects net sales to be in the range of $290 million to $300 million and a ne
