SGB Update

Epstein Surprises Industry with SBI Exit

Following the creation of Sport Brands International (SBI) in June of this year, and the purchase of Fila Worldwide, Inc., Jon Epstein is leaving the company effective December 1, 2003. Mr. Epstein cited personal reasons for his decision…

Goody’s Promotes Parneix to SVP/GMM for Women’s

Goody's Family Clothing, Inc. has promoted Rosalind C. Parneix to Senior Vice President, General Merchandise Manager Women's. In this newly created position, Parneix will be responsible for overseeing the merchandise direction of Missy Sportswea

Kellwood Promotes Skinner to President and COO

Robert C. Skinner, Jr. has been appointed Kellwood president and chief operating officer, according to Hal J. Upbin, Kellwood chairman and CEO. Formerly, Skinner held the post of Kellwood corporate vice president with overall responsibility for the compa

Niemira Leaves BT-M For ICSC Research Post

The International Council of Shopping Centers has announced that Michael P. Niemira will be joining ICSC as Chief Economist and Director of Research, effective Monday, December 15, 2003. Most recently, Mr. Niemira was the Vice President and Senior Economi

NSGA Mourns Loss of Another Industry Veteran

The National Sporting Goods Association is reporting that former Chairman of the NSGA Board of Directors Robert S. “Bobby” Boyer, died Monday from cancer. The Funeral is scheduled for Thursday, December 4, at 4:00 p.m. at the Park Cities Presbyterian Chur

SGMA amd SMS in Joint Venture Research Firm

SGMA International and Sports Marketing Surveys has formed Sports Research Partnership, a joint venture expected to provide market research services to the sporting goods industry. William Lawliss will join SRP as Director of Business Development. He ha

P.E.4LIFE Appoints Sponsorship Development Consultant

P.E.4LIFE, the Washington, D.C.-advocacy group for physical education, has announced the appointment of Craig Jonas of the Jonas Group, Highlands Ranch, Colo., as the three-year-old organization’s first sponsorship development consultant…

Dunham Adds Two to Product Development Team

New Balance's Dunham Bootmaker division has added Kevin Quinn and Dan Calabrese to its Marketing Department. As Senior Product Development Manager Kevin Quinn will drive and manage the research and development efforts for all the brand's produc

May Company November Comps Decline 1.7%

The May Department Stores Company reported preliminary net sales of $1.26 billion for the four-week period ended Nov. 29, 2003, a 0.2% increase from the similar period last year. Store-for-store sales decreased 1.7%. November store-for-store sales decre

Johnson Outdoors Appoints New Diving Head

Johnson Outdoors has appointed Joseph B. Stella to head its $78 million global diving business. As Group Vice President – Global Diving, Stella will be responsible for development and growth of the Company's well-known Scubapro and Uwatec brands worl

Garmont to Distribute Silvretta In NA

Garmont North America will be the North American distributor of Silvretta free-ride and ski mountaineering bindings starting January 2004. According to John Schweizer, president of Garmont North America, “Silvretta was looking for a strong partner to lau

Sibley’s to Shut Down Operations…

Sibleys Shoes Inc., a key bellwether retailer for urban footwear trends in the Detroit market, said Wednesday that it will close its 29 retail shoe stores in Michigan and Ohio. The closures would signal the end of an 83 year run that started with a singl

Other Observations at Footwear Retail…

Footlocker:  They are starting to see the first of the Nike allocations of AF1, with strong window signing for the black/black release.  Still plenty of black S. Carter and G-unit release on hand.  Nearly all Timberland styles were discounted. Most other styles were 2/$89 or had another cut price.  Most of the I3 Pressure collection […]

As Footwear and Retail Stocks Jump on Renewed Confidence…

The market went wild last week after a number of analysts either initiated coverage or upgraded a number of stocks in the sporting goods industry, sending many companies near or to their 52-week highs. The indices tracked by Sports Executive Weekly on th

Fila Names Burch Global Communications Head

Sport Brands International has named Fila USA's current SVP Marketing, Howe Burch to SVP Global Communications and Sports Marketing for Fila. In his new role, Mr. Burch will develop and oversee an integrated global marketing communications and sport