SGB Update

Exercise Equipment Pushes 2003 U.S. Exports into the Black…

According to a report compiled by SGMA International based on U.S. Commerce Department data, U.S. exports of Sporting Goods products actually inched up 0.9% last year to $1.84 billion from $1.82 billion in 2002. The export number had declined 7.2% in 200

Read Worth Joins Amerex

Amerex Group announced that Read Worth has joined the organization as Vice President of Gerry Sportswear Group. Prior to joining Amerex Group, Worth served as President of Windsong Outdoor. As Vice President of Gerry, Worth will be responsible for growin

Mugs Stump Alpine Climbing Award Winners Announced for 2004

Black Diamond Equipment announced the winners of the
Mugs Stump Award for 2004. Given annually to climbers attempting alpine climbing objectives that exemplify fast, light and clean tactics, the awards are a tribute to the late Mugs Stump, one of North Am

SEC Suit Sheds New Light On JFF Vendor Tactics…

While the Martha Stewart trial has been hyped to no end by the media, once captivating those that adored her efforts to bring good taste to the super market checkout line, the case surrounding the flameout at Just for Feet appears to be capturing all the

WNBA and Russell Corporation Reach New Marketing Partnership

The Women's National Basketball Association and Russell Corporation have reached a new multi-year marketing partnership beginning with the 2004 WNBA season. The partnership will focus on the Women's Division of Russell Corporation, which include

Billabong Grows In Adverse Conditions

Billabong leveraged international sales to post strong numbers for the company’s first half of fiscal 2003-04. US sales jumped 27% in local currencies, with EBITDA in the US rising 36%. Australian sales were up 11% with “double digit profit growth” in key

Shoe Pavilion Swings to Profit in Q4 Despite Charge

Shoe Pavilion, Inc. reported net income of $24,000 for the fourth quarter ended January 3, 2004, compared to a net loss of $354,000 or ($.05) per share for the year-ago quarter. Net sales increased 7.6% in Q4 to $22.2 million from net sales of $20.7milli

Tell Me Again What I Won Here???…

You can use your name, but just don’t let anyone see it and don’t tell anybody about it. That appears to be the bottom line in a trademark infringement case between Quicksilver and Kymsta in their dispute over the use of the Roxy and Roxywear brand names

Sport Supply Group to Voluntarily Delist Shares

Sport Supply Group, Inc. announced that it intends to voluntarily terminate the registration of its securities by filing a Form 15 with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 5, 2004. SSG expects to realize significant cost savings as a result o

Puma AG Keeps the Momentum Going; Margins Jump 500+ Basis Points…

Puma AG said they are two years into their “Phase III” growth plan and believe they can exceed market growth for the balance of the Phase III period that runs through 2006. They see gross margins that continue to run in the 48% to 50% range, SG&A in the

adidas Shuffles Upper Deck in Portland…

Unless you were under a rock last week you know by now that the Germans have established a firmer grip on adidas America, purging more senior management a week ago Friday, most notably Tim Joyce, the brand’s EVP in Portland…

Deckers Diversifies Brand Portfolio as Ugg Gains Strength…

Deckers Outdoor Corporation is going to sell about 1.5 million additional DECK shares into the market on top of roughly two million shares that will be sold by company management and board members, including chairman and CEO Doug Otto. The proceeds from

REI 2003 Net Up 17%; Sales Up 9.5%…

REI reported that operating income for full year 2003 increased over 17% to “more than” $56 million from $47.6 million in 2002. The co-op posted $19.1 million in net income – an increase of more than $3 million or around 19% from the previous year…

Famous Footwear Banks on Athletic for 2004 Growth…

Famous Footwear president Joe Wood said growth in the women’s business in the fourth quarter was offset by the challenges in the Athletic Footwear business. Wood pointed to price compression across the industry that impacted prices “to the tune of about