SGB Update

Outdoor Industry Rendezvous Lives Up to High Expectations…

The OIA outdid themselves once again at the annual Outdoor Industry Rendezvous held the first weekend in October. The speakers all had very strong presentations, high quality material, and at times, provocative. OIA organized and executed the event to pe

Merrell Gets a Stronger Revenue Lift from Europe…

Wolverine World Wide saw sales increases at three out of four of its brand divisions in the fiscal third quarter ended September 11 combine with improved profits in all divisions to contribute to the eleventh consecutive quarter of both record revenue and

Rocky Shoes and Boots Sees Record Q3 Despite Hurricane Impact…

Rocky Shoes & Boots, which now also owns the Gates Gloves business, said they expect third quarter earnings to increase approximately 22% to $50 million, while EPS are expected to meet analysts consensus estimate of 95 cents per diluted share, or a 23% in

adidas-Salomon Paints a Rosier Picture…

The attitude at adidas-Salomon management over the last year has gone from aggressive prognostications and bluster to a sense of a quiet confidence that they are indeed finally headed in the right direction to once again bring the adidas brand back into g

A Look at YTD Athletic Footwear Results…

Consumer spending for athletic footwear during the first six months of 2004 rose 5% over spending during the same period in 2003, according to research by The NPD Group. Spending during the first half was $7.73 billion in 2004, compared to $7.36 billion i

More Sneaker Firms on Auction Block…

The revelation in August that Saucony was exploring opportunities for a sale of the company forced a number of other companies to reveal their plans as well. Industry speculation has had Brook Sports, which is owned by private equity firm JH Whitney, for

SIA and SportsNewsSource Announce Marketing Partnership

SnowSports Industries America has announced a long-term marketing partnership with SportsNewsSource, LLC, publishers of The B.O.S.S. Report and Sports Executive Weekly newsletters, to co-produce a monthly SnowSports industry newsletter…

adidas Shakes Up Sports Marketing; Continues Hoop Drive…

adidas has reportedly brought in Martin Brewer, the company’s former head of global sports marketing, to replace the departing Kevin Wulff to run sports marketing for adidas America. The move is expected to take place November 1. Brewer, who left adidas

Bob’s Stores Ramps Up Merchant Team…

TJX has finally tipped a portion of its hand in its plans for Bob’s Stores, announcing last week its merchant group that will lead its strategy for the value chain. Bob’s has added three merchandise managers, bringing the total to five people which will

Billabong Picks Up Footwear Brand…

Billabong appears to like the new model at Quiksilver after that company acquired the DC Shoes brand. Billabong International Ltd. has moved to acquire the four-year-old Kustom surf shoe brand as part of the purchase of Palmers Surf Company, which market

Kmart Moves to End Footstar Contract…

Footstar Inc. said it will fight efforts by Kmart Holding Corp. to terminate its contract with the bankrupt footwear retailer. Footstar, which runs the footwear departments at all Kmart stores through its Meldisco business, counts on the Kmart deal for 9

JJB Sports Sees New Bid for Business…

Shares of JJB Sports, the UK’s largest sporting goods retailer, surged 24% Friday on speculation that the retailer was near a deal to be acquired. JJB, which has been struggling due to weaker sales and profits, did acknowledge that it had received a new

Bell Sports / Riddell Merger Complete

Fenway Partners has completed its acquisition and merger of Bell Sports, which includes both the Bell and Giro brands of Bicycle and Snow Sports helmets, with Riddell. The new company produces more than eight million helmets annually and will have project