SGB Update Sports & Fitness
Its Not About The Stuff
Many retailers make the same mistake we’ve made. Staff training consists of talking a lot about product—the process behind rotational molding, how much rocker a canoe has, what “800-fill down” means. The quality of the relationship between the customer a
Dorel Names Director as President of Recreation Segment
Dorel Industries Inc. named a director to take over its rapidly growing Recreational/Leisure segment, which includes its massive bicycle holdings, as part of a restructuring of senior management. The move comes as Dorel sets its eyes on displacing Special
Shoe Carnival’s Q1 Profits Drops 34.2%
Shoe Carnival, Inc. reported earnings fell 34.2% in the first quarter ended May 3, to $4.8 million, or 38 cents a share, from $7.3 million, or 53 cents, a year ago. Sales slid 2.2% to $162.1 million from $165.7 million with comps decreasing 4.9%…
Foreign Visitors Boost Spending at Tour de Georgia
The Tour de Georgia drew 20% fewer people, but generated 40% more spending last month due to higher gas prices and a weaker dollar, an economic impact study released Thursday estimated. The weak dollar drew many more foreign tourists, who had to spend mor
Coleman Names Solomon as Permanent CEO
Jarden Corporation has named Sam A. Solomon as President and Chief Executive Officer of The Coleman Company, Inc. Solomon has been serving as interim President and CEO since September 2007…
WWW Names Brown President of Heritage Brands Group
Wolverine World Wide Inc. appointed William Brown to the position of president of the Heritage Brands Group, effective May 30. The group includes the Harley-Davidson, Caterpillar and Sebago brands…
Teens Outside Gets $100,000 Grant from Foundation
The Outdoor Foundation has awarded a $100,000 grant to the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) to expand Teens Outside to 29 communities in 2008 including eight new agencies in California…
Polartec Names APEX Design Winners
Polartec, LLC, the developer announced the North American APEX Design Award winners for 2008. The award goes to the best-of-the-best Polartec based garments that will be available to consumers in fall 2008…
Foot Locker Sees Brighter Days Ahead in the Mall
Foot Locker Inc. is striking a positive tone for the future of the mall business as the world’s-largest-athletic-footwear-retailer gets a better handle on its U.S. business and provides a rosier outlook for the year ahead…
Perry Ellis Q1 Swim Business Up
Perry Ellis International saw swimwear revenues climb 15% in the first quarter, driven by Jantzen, Nike Swim, Perry Ellis Swim, and Jag. Gross margins improved by over 200 basis points. Management said Nike's growth was driven by men's, women&#
Lawsuit Over Metal Bat Ban Incident
The family of a boy in Wayne, NJ, who suffered brain damage after he was struck by a line drive hit off an aluminum baseball bat, has sued the bat's maker, Hillerich & Bradsby Co.; the bat seller, The Sports Authority; and Little League Baseball…
Shimano Rides Cycling to Strong Sales Increase in Q1
Shimano Inc. said net sales at its cycling business rose by ¥7.8 billion ($7.4 mm), or 22%, to ¥43.3 billion ($411 mm) in the first quarter ended March 31. Fishing tackle net sales, however, dipped by ¥142 million ($1.4 mm), or 1.2%, to ¥11.4 billion ($10
Negative Comp Drags Down First Quarter Bottom Line for Zumiez
Zumiez Inc. reported a mid-teens increase in net sales for the first quarter as the addition of 21 new stores offset comparable store sales that came in just below flat. The negative comp hurt the bottom line as well, de-leveraging occupancy costs and dr
The Long, Cold Winter Boosts Q1, but Now Hurts Spring Apparel Sales
Many specialty outdoor retailers had a much more profitable first quarter this year as a record snow pack and cold weather helped them clear winter merchandise, often at much higher margins. But the long, snowy and cold winter has also stunted planned spr
NSGA: Athletic Footwear Tallies $17.4 Billion in 2007
Retail sales of athletic footwear have surpassed the $17 billion mark for the first time, reaching $17.4 billion, an increase of 2.7% versus 2006, when sales were $16.9 billion, according to the National Sporting Goods Association’s just-released “Sportin
