SGB Update

Asics Sees U.S. Sales Jump 40% in Fiscal Third Quarter

Asics Corp. reported fiscal third quarter sales in the U.S. jumped 19.7 percent to approximately ¥13.94 billion ($145 mm) for the period ended December 31, compared to approximately ¥11.65 billion ($103 mm) last year…

Asics and Brooks in “Dead Heat” at Fleet Feet

Brooks caught up to Asics at Fleet Feet in 2008, but New Balance, Saucony and Nike also gained market share at the chain. As reported, Fleet Feet’s sales grew 14% to $86 million in 2008 on a 12% comp gain…

Mizuno Lowers Outlook After Tough Q3

Mizuno Corp. had a difficult third quarter as continued softness in the global economy slowed sales and caused the company to lower its guidance for the fiscal year through March 2009. The company now anticipates reporting a net loss for the fiscal year f

Karhu Holding and Karhu Sports Reach Settlement

Karhu Holding BV and Karhu Sports Oy reached an amicable settlement to their dispute over the Karhu trademarks. Karhu Holding BV was confirmed as the owner of the Karhu global trademark portfolio and will be responsible for the sale of all other products

Pace Setters

The SGMA’s “2008 State of the Industry Survey” lists running as number four on the list of “Hottest Sports for Sales Growth in 2008” behind yoga / pilates, fitness walking and lacrosse. Women play a significant role in keeping running at the top of that l

Somnio Launches Customizable Footwear Line

An avid runner who was experiencing problems with his feet, Sean Sullivan started seeing Dr. Andy Pruitt at the Boulder Center for Sports Medicine in Boulder, CO. The conversation quickly shifted from Sullivan’s problems to the solutions…

Delta Apparel’s Q2 Sales Climb 6.7%

Delta Apparel Inc. reported sales rose 6.7% in its second quarter ended December 27, to $73.4 million. The sales growth was driven by a 17% sales increase in the retail-ready segment with flat sales in the activewear segment…

Johnson Outdoors Q1 Net Sales Fall 8.2%

Johnson Outdoors Inc. had net sales of $69.8 million for the first quarter ended Jan. 2, 2009, an 8.2% decline compared to net sales of $76.0 million for the prior year quarter. Loss from continuing operations of $6.9 million, or 76 cents per diluted shar

Jarden Appoints Deutsche Bank to Replace Lehman

Jarden Corporation has reached an agreement to settle all of its outstanding claims against Lehman Brothers related to the bankruptcy of Lehman and related entities and the subsequent defaults of Lehman Commercial Paper Inc., an affiliate of Lehman Brothe

OIA: Outdoor Sales Gain 5% for FY08

Outdoor sales for the entire year in all three core outdoor store channels (chain, internet, specialty) totaled $5.2B, a 5% gain over 2007, according to the most recent edition of The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) Outdoor Topline Report…

RECALL: L.L. Bean Ice Cleats

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the L.L. Bean Inc., today announced a voluntary recall of the Stabilicers Lite Cleats…

Columbia Q4 Profit Drops, Sales Fall 6%

Columbia Sportswear Co. reported sales in the fourth quarter slid 6% to $354.9 million from $376.7 million for the same period of 2007. Sales included a 3% negative effect from changes in foreign currency exchange rates compared with the fourth quarter of

Element 21 Names CFO

Element 21 Golf Company, the manufacturer of Scandium Alloy golf and biofiber fishing equipment, appointed David Khazak as chief financial officer. Khazak is a chartered accountant with over eighteen years of experience in public accounting…

U.S. Dept. of Education Allocates $70M to Get Youth Active

The U.S. Department of Education recently announced the availability of $70 million dollars for the purchase of products, including snow sports, that help activate children and for training on the use of such products, reported the SIA. The Carol H. White