Skullcandy Europe appoints KAOS for Pan-European PR
Skullcandy Europe has appointed action sports and music integrated agency KAOS following a four-way pitch. KAOS will be focused on Pan-European PR for core/action sports, music and lifestyle digital and press media. KAOS’ action sports marketing and creat
VF Corp. Splits Outdoor Coalition
VF Corp. said it is splitting up its Outdoor Americas division, replacing it with two new divisions, or coalitions, Outdoor Americas and Action Sports Americas, effective Feb. 1. Steve Rendle, president of The North Face, will become president of the new
REI Becomes Bluesign Member
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) announced its membership with bluesign technologies ag, allowing the company to use the bluesign independent standard as part of its product design and sourcing process. The retailers called the standard “an important st
William Farrell Retires After 50 Years with ASICS
William (Bill) Farrell, chief administrator for the ASICS wrestling division, will retire effective immediately after an illustrious career with the brand spanning 50 full years. Farrell joined ASICS in 1958 as an importer and distributor of the first “Ti
The Apparel Group Selects CenterStone’s iVendix
CenterStone Technologies, Inc. announced that The Apparel Group has selected the company’s iVendix software application to launch in 2009. When it is “live” later in 2009, iVendix will provide the Enro and Foxcroft brands of The Apparel Group with a busi
Mizuno Introduces ‘Gender Engineering Technology’
Mizuno has introduced Gender Engineering, a running technology designed to deliver a “perfectly tailored and individually engineered shoe for both men and women,” resulting in optimal fit, feel, and performance…
Other Industry Companies Update Guidance
West 49 Inc., Canada's action sport retailer, reported fourth quarter-to-date sales were down 0.5% to CN$54.8 million ($44.7 mm)…
Yakima Acquires RACKandRoll
Yakima Products Inc. has acquired RACKandROLL, LLC, a manufacturer of high performance multi-sport trailers based in Frederick, MD. John Koch, former CEO of RACKandROLL, will stay involved and remain available to facilitate a seamless transfer of goods an
Fleet Feet Sports Holds National Franchise Conference
Fleet Feet said sales passed $86 million in 2008 on a 12% comp store gain. A stern eye looks to the future though at Fleet Feet's annual Winter Franchise Conference held in Dallas this week, as President Jeff Phillips commented, “While we celebrate o
Backcountry.com Launches Road Bike Focused ODAT Site
Backcountry.com has launched Bonktown.com —a road bike-focused, one-deal-at-a-time (ODAT) store. Dropping just one select item at a time at ridiculously marked-down prices (50% to 80% below retail), Bonktown.com delivers deals on category-leading, name br
NRF Study: Holiday Sales Dropped 2.8% in 2008
A deep recession, severe winter weather and five fewer shopping days combined to create the most challenging sales environment in years for the nation’s retailers…
Chinese Brand Signs Tennis Star
Chinese sportswear manufacturer Anta has signed Jelena Jankovic, the top-ranked female tennis player, as brand ambassador. Jankovic, whose contract with Reebok recently expired, will start wearing Anta sports apparel, shoes and accessories worldwide start
Woolrich Sues Eddie Bauer
Woolrich Inc. has sued Eddie Bauer Inc. for infringing on its trademark, “The Original Outdoor Clothing Co.” In the suit, Woolrich said it has used the slogan since 1997 on more than $500 million worth of garments, catalogs and advertisements…
Tubbs Names National Sales Manager
K2 Sports said Jeff Cunningham has been hired as national sales manager for Tubbs Snowshoes. Most recently he was Eastern Key Account Manager for Gramicci and prior to that, marketing director and national sales manager for Mammut Sports group. Cunningham
Super Bowl Could Boost Dick’s SG Fourth Quarter
With the mall guys moving further away from the licensed business it will be sporting goods, the Internet and the licensed shops scoring bigger this year with the Steelers and the Cardinals facing off in the Super Bowl on February 1…
