New Balance Names Senior Manager, Global Sports
New Balance named Chris Passarell to the position of senior marketing manager, global sports. Passarell will lead Integrated Marketing for the Performance SBUs (Running, Sport, Outdoor and Kids) and Creative Services. Passarell was most recently with Russ
Report: Housing, Gas Prices Impact Recruiting
While much of the U.S. is concerned about job cuts, the sporting goods industry appears to be experiencing a tougher job market of a different type. According to the Generator Group’s 2008 Hiring Trends Survey, the housing market and fluctuating gas price
Aldila Inc. Sees Third Quarter Q3 Sales Slip
Aldila, Inc. reported its fifth consecutive quarter of declining sales, posting revenues of $11.8 million for the third quarter ended Sept. 30, an 11% drop from $13.2 million reported in the year-ago period…
The SportsOneSource Group Releases 2009 Brand Strength Index
The SportsOneSource Group has released its 2009 Brand Strength Index, indicating that Nike, adidas, New Balance, Reebok and Under Armour have the strongest connection with consumers going into the new year. The Index, developed to more accurately measure
Zappos Lays Off 8% of Workforce
Zappos.com has laid off 8% of its workforce and may close some of its retail locations in Nevada and Kentucky. According to an e-mail to employees that was posted on the company's blog, Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh said, “This is one of the hardest decision
Perry Ellis Slashes Guidance
Perry Ellis International Inc. expects to report third quarter results below Wall Street expectations as the company marked down merchandise amid sluggish consumer spending. The company also cut its profit and sales outlook for fiscal 2009…
CandD Sporting Goods to Close
C&D Sporting Goods in North Carolina will be closing at the end of the year, according to Mount Airy News. The owners of the shop cite a slow economy and increased competition as their reason for closing…
Phoenix Footwear Sales Fall in Q3
Phoenix Footwear Group, Inc. reported net sales from continuing operations decreased 16.4% to $18.7 million, compared to $22.3 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2007. Management said the company experienced sales declines across all of its brands…
Cabela’s Inc. Fined for Exports Violations
The Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security said Cabela's Inc. has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $680,000 to settle allegations that it committed 152 violations of the Export Administration Regulations involving the export of co
Trek Signs on as Title Sponsor of Triathlon Series
Trek Bicycle will be the title sponsor of a new triathlon series expected to draw 25,000 women participants in its first year. The new Trek Women's Triathlon Series is built around the sprint distance format (a 1/2-mile swim, 12-mile bike, and 3-mile
Diamonds in the Rough: Niche Brands Still Thriving
At a time when retailers have backed off pre-season orders and are inclined to stay with tried and true product, it’s hard to imagine how lesser known brands continue to grow. Yet in a reminder that the economic downturn is not affecting everyone equally
FGX Sunglass Unit Posts 20% Sales Gain in Third Quarter
FGX International said sales of sunglasses and prescription frames rose nearly 20% in the third quarter ended Oct. 4 to $10.4 million. The figures include sales of Foster Grant and Gargoyles branded sunglasses to Wal-Mart and other mass, drug, airport and
Confluence Parent Cuts Dividend To Preserve Cash
The publicly traded private equity fund that owns Confluence Watersports has cut its dividend, eliminated its stock buy-back program and will implement further cost cutting in a move to preserve cash…
Sport Chalet Tightens Inventory in Fiscal Q2
Sport Chalet Inc. cut its average inventory per store by 13.6% at fiscal second quarter-end compared to a year earlier as it dialed in tighter assortments, particularly in fitness, skate, cycling and snow categories. That has positioned the company to “ta
Retailers Easing Return Policies for Holiday
According to the National Retail Federation’s third annual Return Fraud Survey, completed by 82 retail loss prevention executives last month, more than half of the retailers surveyed (52%) say their holiday return policies will be more lenient than the po
