Commerce Dept. Confirms Strong Retail Numbers for January…
Retail sales results released by the U.S. Commerce Department show that total retail sales excluding motor vehicles rose 0.9% seasonally adjusted for the January 2004 period versus December 2003 and increased a healthy 6.8% unadjusted year-over-year for J
New Toolbox for the Outdoor Industry…
The Outdoor Industry Association has taken a very important first step toward growing human powered outdoor participation by completing the most exhaustive research study of consumer trends conducted to-date. This research does not specifically solve any
K2 Sees the Model Come Together Quickly…
K2 Inc. has their model in full swing as economies of scale and production efficiencies take hold to help their acquisitions deliver profits sooner than most expected. CEO Dick Heckman feels that K2 “laid the foundation for future growth” in 2003 after c
All In the Family at Johnson Outdoors?
Samuel C. Johnson, majority shareholder and director of Johnson Outdoors, and his daughter, Helen Johnson-Leipold, chairman and CEO of Johnson Outdoors, have made an offer to purchase all outstanding shares of Johnson Outdoors and take it private. Accordi
Huffy Widens Loss; Makes Gen-X Cuts…
Huffy Corporation, on the other hand, is looking to its Service group as a profit center and will make the move this year to consolidate all brand operations under one Sporting Goods division, leaving the company with just two divisions. The company said
Stuck in the Middle with You…
In an exciting and provocative new book entitled Trading Up, Boston Consulting Group members Neil Fiske and Michael Silverman help to explain the seeming disappearance of the middle class shopper. In recent years we have seen the growing strength of the
THC Rides Weaker Dollar to Strong ‘03…
The Hockey Company Holdings Inc. sees little potential impact to its equipment business in 2004 from a potential NHL work stoppage, but the apparel end of the apparel business would surely take a hit if the league and the players can’t agree on a new col
Velo Enterprise Expands Team Sponsorships
In an ongoing effort to intensify it’s brand communications Velo Enterprise is has identified and signed several teams and athletes for 2004…
Reebok Gets into MLB Game…
After missing out on the Major League Baseball deal last August that netted exclusive apparel and headwear deals for seven companies, Reebok International took the next best approach and inked a multi-year deal with MLB to provide footwear for players and
Billabong Posts 12.3% Net Profit Gain on 27% US Sales Increase
Billabong International Limited announced a strong result for the first six months of 2003-04, with a sharp rise in offshore revenue and improved operating margins. Net profit after tax lifted 12.3% to $40.6 million. After currency conversion, total group
Saucony Puts Focus Back on the Mall Business…
Saucony looks like it is solidly back on the road to recovery after posting its second straight year of positive sales growth. SCNY has certainly turned things around from a rough 2001 when the company posted a loss of $900,000 after sales fell 21% for t
Joyce Out, Fields In, as Germans Make adidas America Changes
adidas America has announced that Joe Fields will join adidas America as Senior Vice President of Sales and Retail. He will report to Erich Stamminger, the Executive Baord Member that now heads the Portland unit. Tim Joyce, who has held the SVP role since
Skechers on the Mend in ‘04… or Is It???
Based on comments by management at Skechers USA, the company is at the beginning at what could either be a false start or a very positive start to 2004 based on recent trends. Wall Street, like management, appears to want o believe the latter as SKX shar
Phoenix Footwear May File Secondary Offering
Phoenix Footwear Group, Inc. announced that it may file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the end of the second quarter of 2004 for a proposed follow-on offering that the Company anticipates will include newly issued
GSI Shrinks 2003 Loss, SG Share…
GSI Commerce reported a breakout fourth quarter that helped narrow the company’s total loss for the year. Net revenues for Q4 increased 26% to $95.2 million compared to net revenues of $75.3 million for the Q4 2002. Net merchandise sales, which represe
