Kmart Introducing Athletic Line
Kmart is introducing an exclusive athletic footwear and apparel collection called Protege and created by NBA star Al Harrington. The launch of Protege is part of Kmart's footwear re-launch which will feature new and exclusive brands both in stores n
When Trade Shows Feel More Like Job Fairs
Not unlike other trade shows this last month, the PGA Merchandise Show last week continued the mood as the usually festive atmosphere worked to fight its way to the surface. Thursday seemed slow and quiet, though weather and flight delays may have played
SanMar Partners with OGIO for Promos
SanMar Corp., a supplier of imprintable apparel and accessories, entered into an agreement to gain exclusive distribution of all 54 OGIO products available in the promotional products industry…
PGA Show Rolls Out New Technologies in Tough Economy; The New Pro V1 Debuts
At the PGA Show in Orlando last week, the ‘new geometries’ launched two seasons ago that brought high-MOI to the norm now are slowly ebbing back toward traditional. For the most part, vendors appeared to be moving back toward a more traditional business
Pelican Products Acquires Hardigg
Pelican Products, Inc., manufacturer of plastic injection molded protective cases, acquired long-time competitor Hardigg Industries, manufacturer of roto molded protective cases. The transaction, valued at approximately $200 million, is believed to be the
Delta Swings to Profit; Will Close Soffe Plant
Delta Apparel Inc. reported that sales growth for the fiscal second quarter ended December 27 was fueled by gains at the Retail-Ready division, which is comprised of the Soffe and Junkfood businesses, while the Activewear segment, comprised of the Delta a
SIA 09: Youth Culture Expands Influence
SIA 2009 was a surprisingly lively show considering the widespread declines in many other trade and consumer shows in recent weeks. While Outdoor Retailer Winter Market reported a 5% decline in attendees, and ASR attendance was down significantly, SIA is
Hartmarx Files for Chapter 11
Hartmarx Corp., which makes the Jack Nicklaus, Bobby Jones and Lyle & Scott golf apparel collections, filed for Chapter 11 protection in an Illinois federal bankruptcy court, citing a “substantial decline” in sales to consumers and retailers as well as li
OR Winter Market Reports Lower Traffic; Focuses on Quality, Not Quantity
More than ever, the numbers defined the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market trade show. Attendance figures, purchase prices, sales forecasts and predicting the odds on how many outdoor industry brands would fail during 2009’s economic slowdown were mentioned i
Hanesbrands Sees Q4 Revenues Fall 11%
Citing a “massive shift in consumer spending behavior,” Hanesbrands Inc., the parent of Champion and Duofold, reported revenues in its fiscal fourth quarter fell 11% to $1.04 billion from $1.16 billion a year ago. Sales declined in each business segment,
ORWM Quietly Becomes THE Specialty Running Show for the Market
The Outdoor Retailer show has quietly become the place for running brands to connect with specialty retailers in the market. As more retailers start to blur the lines of running specialty and outdoor specialty (think Playmakers), more brands are taking t
Under Armour Sees Profits Fall; Posts First Apparel Sales Decline in Fourth Quarter
What a difference a year makes. A year ago at this time, Under Armour was flying high as apparel sales were routinely up in strong double-digits again and the company was prepping for its long-hyped launch into non-cleated footwear with the debut of the
Greg Norman Collection Sold to Tharanco
Greg Norman Collection has been acquired from the MacGregor Golf Company by The Tharanco Group. Greg Norman President and CEO Michael Setola will remain CEO and is a partner in the new company, Tharanco Lifestyle, LLC. Tharanco has owned such diverse bran
Ortholite Sponsors Road Runners Club of America
OrthoLite has signed a sponsorship agreement to become the preferred insole partner of the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) and the American Hiking Society (AHS)…
Newton Running Names New President
Newton Running has named Stephen Gartside as president of the technical running footwear company.Gartside will run the day-to-day global operations of Newton Running and work closely with Newton’s founders, Danny Abshire and Jerry Lee…