SGB Update

Specialty Stores Lag Market in Latest SIA Retail Audit

Overall sales for the entire winter sports market were up 0.2% to $651.2 million for the August through November period of 2004, compared to $649.6 million reported last year, according to the SnowSports Industries America (SIA) Retail Audit. Unit sales w

SIA: Chain Stores See Higher Selling Prices Drive Gains

According to the SnowSports Industries America (SIA) Retail Audit for the August through November period, sales at chain stores were up 12.2% to $145.3 million in sales compared to $129.5 million in 2003. Unit sales were down 5.9% from last season. Chain

NPD Adds Shoe Chain Channel to Reporting

The NPD Group has added DSW, Rack Room and Shoe Pavilion to its footwear tracking point-of-sale service. NPD has also added a new shoe chain channel that helps clients get a clearer picture of the marketplace. NPD said having the new retailers on board h

Orange 21 Announces Exercise of Over-Allotment Option

Orange 21 Inc. announced that the underwriters of its initial public offering have exercised their over-allotment option to purchase from the company 520,000 shares of common stock at the public offering price of $8.75 per share. Roth Capital Partners, L

Armor Closes Bianchi/Gregory Deal…

Armor Holdings has completed the acquisition of Bianchi and Gregory Mountain Products for a total purchase price of $60 million in cash. According to Armor, Bianchi and Gregory will be integrated into the company’s Products Division and they are expected

Eider Expands U.S. Presence…

The French apparel company, Eider is stepping up their focus on the U.S. market through several initiatives launched by their North American distributor, Eider N.A., owned by Gene Frederick, the company’s president. Eider N.A. has hired True North Brand g

F3 Distribution Takes Over Karhu’s Canadian Sales

Trak Sports USA announced that Karhu has hired F3 Distribution to represent Karhu and its other brands in the Canadian market. After three decades of handling the business directly in Canada, Karhu has decided to refocus its efforts in Canada by hiring a

Big Agnes Brings in New Reps

Big Agnes announced the addition of two new representatives to its growing sales team. Jimmy and Jenny Peshek, of Summit Sports North, LLC, will represent Big Agnes in North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Michigan’s

The Snowboard Market Leads the Way in Electronics…

The entire snowboard industry is riding an electronics wave recently, culminating with this week’s announcement that Burton and Motorola have inked a deal to produce an iPod/Cell phone enabled jacket, helmet, and beanie which incorporate Bluetooth technol

NSGA: Census Beureau Reports October Sporting Goods Sales Rose 9.3%

Among the vast amount of data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau is retail sales by month; within that data is an estimate of monthly sales in sporting goods stores. Because of differing methodologies, the data will not be identical with other estimates

Product Recall: Adams Trail-A-Bike

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Norco Products Ltd, announced voluntary recalls of the Adams Trail-a-Bike or Adams Slipstream Bicycle Attachment. The Starter, Folder, Shifter, Shocker, Ultimate Tandem, Deluxe Folder, Me 2

ASICS America Pushes 2004 Sales Back Over $200 Million Mark

ASICS America Corporation announced this week a strong finish to 2004. With a record performance in 2004, ASICS surpassed the $200 million mark finishing off the year with $223.8 million in sales, an increase of 12.5% over 2003. Footwear sales continue

REI is One of Fortune’s ‘100 Best Companies to Work For’

For the eighth consecutive year, Recreational Equipment, Inc. has been named as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” by FORTUNE magazine. The outdoor retailer known for its quality gear, staff expertise and commitment to environmental stewardship r