SGB Update

VF Corp. to Buy Vans in $396 Million Deal

VF Corporation has signed a definitive merger agreement to acquire Vans, Inc. Vans' sales in fiscal 2003 were $330 million, and the company has indicated that it expects sales of approximately $346 to $349 million in fiscal 2004, which ends May 31.

Brunswick Net Earnings Jump to $48 million; Sales Up 28%

For the quarter ended March 31, 2004, Brunswick Corporation reported a net sales increase of 28 percent to $1,199.6 million, up from $934.5 million a year earlier. Operating earnings rose to $78.5 million compared with $13.0 million in the year-ago quart

Bite lands LPGA Distribution Deal

Bite Footwear will distribute, through an agreement with Benchmark a.k.a. RMP Athletic, the LPGA’s new apparel line for women. The line bears the LPGA logo and will be available this May…

Q1 Sales Jump 15% at VF Corp; Net Income up 13%

VF Corporation announced better than anticipated results for the first quarter. Q1 sales rose 15%, to $1,432.7 million from $1,250.0 million in the prior year's first quarter. Net income increased 13% to $103.9 million from $92.1 million, with earnin

Filmar Acquires Merkeley

Filmar Corporation executives (manufactures of Bula headwear) signed the final papers for the purchase of Merkley Headgear. Although celebrating its third decade as an authentic brand in the ski resort headwear marketplace, Merkley was recently facing fin

Lavin Joins Outside Magazine’s Sales Team

Outside magazine has added Terry Lavin to the sales team as account manager. Terry will join the magazine's New York-based staff and report to the Eastern advertising director, Skip Gilbert…

Puma Continues Rally with 65% Q1 Earnings Growth

PUMA AG has kicked off another strong year, posting a consolidated net sales increase of 29.3% to €443.8 million ($554.4 mm) versus €343.2 million ($368.2 mm) last year. On a currency-neutral basis, sales were up 33.2%. Net earnings were up 64.6% to €80.4

Luxottica Q1 Sales Rise 7.9%

Luxottica Group S.p.A. announced results for the quarter ended March 31, 2004. Net sales for the quarter improved by 7.9% to €760.4 million ($949.9 mm). Operating income for the quarter improved 7.9% to €120.1 million ($150.0 mm). Consequently, the operat

Reebok to Issue $300 Million in New Debt

Reebok International Ltd. intends, subject to market and other conditions, to sell through a private offering up to $300 million of convertible debentures due 2024. The company will grant to the initial purchasers an option to purchase up to an additional

Pacific Sunwear Hires New Sourcing Chief

Pacific Sunwear of California, Inc. has hired C. Joseph Harris to the position of Vice President of Sourcing and Production. Mr. Harris will be responsible for the sourcing and production of all private label merchandise for PacSun and d.e.m.o., which acc

PUMA Launching Bodywear Line in U.S.

PUMA North America has launched of a new collection of bodywear designed and manufactured by Schiesser Lifestyle to be sold through their exclusive U.S. distributor, United Legwear & Bodywear…

Urban Outfitters Ups Guidance; EPS Will Double

Urban Outfitters, Inc., which operates retail stores under the Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters and Free People brands, said that quarter-to-date comparable store sales continue to significantly exceed the sales plan set at the beginning of the year. Q1 C

Gander Mountain Closes IPO; Appoints New Baord

Gander Mountain Company closed its initial public offering of 6,583,750 shares of its common stock at a price of $16.00 per share, including the underwriters' over-allotment option. Under terms of the original filing, a number of Erickson family mem