SGB Update

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…

Carve Designs Names Reps

Women’s surf lifestyle manufacturer, Carve Designs, hired 3 new sales representatives for the brand: Paul Tversky in the Mid-Atlantic territory, Bashford and Associates in the Southeast region, and Megalops Inc. in Florida…

Sportsclick to Acquire Checkered Flag Sports

Sportsclick Inc. entered into a letter of intent to purchase all of the outstanding shares of Southprint Inc., which operates Checkered Flag Sports) (“Southprint”). Southprint is a manufacturer of authentic, licensed NASCAR apparel. SportsClick is a Canad

Lotto Sport USA Launches Team Apparel And Accessory Division

Lotto Sport USA, a division of Etonic Worldwide, announced the launching of a new team apparel and accessory division called Lotto Team Sport Inc. The newly created division, headquartered in Ormond Beach, FL, will manufacturer team apparel and accessorie

K2 Sports Enters Triathlon Market with Acquisition of Zoot Sports

Zoot Sports, the triathlon apparel and wetsuit specialist, was acquired late last week by K2 Sports, a division of Jarden Outdoor. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. K2 Sports gains one of the hottest brands capitalizing on the triathlon trend

Timberland Considers Headquarters Move

The Timberland Co. is considering relocating its headquarters from Stratham, NH, to Portsmouth, NH, when the lease expires in 2010. Timberland would become the anchor tenant of the Portwalk project scheduled to break ground later this year, according to t

Icebreaker Appoints Schrimsher to VP, USA sales

Icebreaker, the New Zealand merino wool specialist, hired Barry Schrimsher as vice president of USA sales effective immediately. A native of Portland and a graduate of the University of Oregon, Schrimsher is a 24-year outdoor industry entrepreneur. He est