Outdoor Specialty Sees Increased Competition…
Outdoor Industry Association has published the bi-annual top-line retail sales report for the outdoor industry. The reports include a 12 month review (last six months of 2003 and first 6 months of 2004 roll-up) and details specialty and chain store sales
Wolverine Appoints Baird as Managing Director – Europe
Wolverine World Wide announced the appointment of Gordon Baird to the position of Managing Director for the Company's Caterpillar Footwear European
operations. Baird will report to Blake W. Krueger, President of the Heritage Brands Group, and will b
Forzani Gets Q3 Wholesale Lift to Post Positive Sales; Margins Suffer…
The Forzani Group Ltd. saw its gross margins narrow in the fiscal third quarter ended October 31 due primarily to an increase in the company’s Wholesale business, which carries lower margins than the retail side. Wholesale is now more than a third of the
Two U.S. Companies win ISPO BrandNew Awards
NEMO has won the coveted ispo BrandNew Overall Award with its inflatable SAKO tent. Jetboil captured the Hytrel Hardware Accessories category award for its lightweight outdoor cooking system. Other category winners included Yono from Japan (Invista Style
Casual Market Fuels Outlast Growth…
Outlast has been expanding its horizons and looking to new markets beyond technical outdoor gear. The company said that it has grown five-fold since 2001. During this same period, Outlast has introduced a variety of new, improved products; lowered costs;
Rocky Shoes and Boots Acquires EJ Footwear Group
Rocky Shoes & Boots, Inc. has signed a definitive agreement whereby Rocky Shoes & Boots will acquire privately-held EJ Footwear Group and its EJ Footwear LLC, Georgia Boot LLC, and HM Lehigh Safety Shoe Co. LLC subsidiaries. The total purchase price for
Huffy Corp. to Sell Snowboard Assets to Salter Group…
As BOSS reported last week, Huffy Corporation filed a motion in U.S. Bankruptcy court seeking approval to sell its Hespeler hockey, in-line skates, and action sports businesses to Forzani Group Ltd. in a deal worth $1.6 million. Huffy was also soliciting
Walden Kayaks Shutters Operations
Walden Kayaks was informed on November 24th that Banknorth, the company’s principal source of financing, was unable to continue financing and the company would be forced to shut down by 5:00 on the same day. Walden Kayaks President, Jeffrey DeSantis, is h
VF Outdoor Coalition Outlines New Management Roles…
Mike Corvino has been been promoted to president of JanSport. He was most recently VP of sales and merchandising for VF Imagewear. He will report to Mike Egeck, president of VF Outdoor – Americas, whi made the announcement last week amid a flurry of oth
National Kids SnowSports Program Launched by SIA
Nearly 500 specialty retail stores nationwide are on tap to participate in the first-ever VERB Project Zero Degrees winter sports program. This program was developed in cooperation with SnowSports Industries America (SIA), and the US Department of Health
Backcountry.com Vets Launch Ski-Only E-Commerce Site
In a minor case of e-commerce anarchy, a couple of e-commerce veterans and skiing fanatics severed their ties to the mothership and powered up the servers to Tramdock.com – the Web’s first ski shop that’s 100 percent dedicated to skiing 365 days a year.
COLIBI Elects New VP
Mr Davide Brambilla, CEO of Bianchi in Treviglio, Italy, has been elected Vice-President of COLIBI, the trade association representing the European Bicycle Industry. Davide Brambilla was appointed at the COLIBI General Assembly in Brussels on 25 November
Pacific Sunwear November Comps Climb 2.7%
Pacific Sunwear of California total sales for the four weeks of November of fiscal 2004 were $95.6 million, an increase of 13.4% over total sales of $84.3 million for the four weeks of November of fiscal 2003. Company same-store sales increased 2.7% for t
Sake Inc. Sees November Comps Rise 2.4%
Retailer Saks Incorporated total sales for November increased 3.0% and comparable store sales increased 2.4% on a total company basis. By segment, comparable store sales decreased 0.6% for SDSG and increased 6.8% for SFAE for the month. Sales below are in
Nordstron Sees Comps Rise 3.1% in November
Nordstrom reported preliminary sales of $667.6 million for the four-week period ending November 27, 2004, an increase of 6.2% compared to sales of $628.4 million for the four-week period ending November 29, 2003. Same-store
sales increased 3.1%…
