SGB Update

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

At first look, September retail sales took a hit from multiple hurricanes in the Southeast and unseasonably warm weather in the Midwest. However, on closer review, it appears that the sluggish – and mostly negative — results reported by most retailers i

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

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

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 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

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 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

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

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

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

Specialized Bicycle Components Inc., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, has announced a recall of Allez Sport, Allez Elite, Roubaix, and Sequoia Bicycles due to a handlebar problem. The handlebar may loosen and turn unexpect

The previous owners of Kessler Team Sports have decided to forego a guarantee granted by new owner collegiate Pacific, instead deciding to retain the majority of the Collegiate Pacific shares issued and to release Collegiate Pacific from the guarantee…

Scheels All Sports has reportedly accelerated construction of its new 265,000 sf flagship store and corporate headquarters in Fargo, North Dakota, due primarily to a strengthening economy. Work on the $32 million project was to begin in a year, but will

The prognosticators were out in force over the last few weeks, making their predictions for the upcoming Holiday selling season. While most reports mention the obvious influence of higher gas prices, rising interest rates, and the Iraq war, none acknowle