SGB Update Sports & Fitness
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
Nike, NoVo Launch $100M Grant to Help Girls
The Nike Foundation will partner with the NoVo Foundation on a $100 million grant aimed at helping adolescent girls in developing countries. Peter and Jennifer Buffett run the nonprofit NoVo foundation. Peter Buffett is the son of billionaire investor War
Granite Teams with Retailers to Donate Gear
Granite Gear partnered with retailers Midwest Mountaineering and Rutabaga to donate 20 Portage Packs to Big City Mountaineers for use in its summer paddling programs for urban teens from low-income families…
National Geographic To Give TOGAS at OR
National Geographic will be throwing a TOGA party at OR this August. The map and software maker began soliciting online applications Thursday for its first annual Outdoor Geographic Awareness Award, or TOGA, which will be presented at OR in Salt Lake in A
Women’s Coalition Launches Networking Site
The Outdoor Industries Women’s Coalition (OIWC) has launched their Online Membership Community at www.oiwc.org. The site is designed to provide OIWC members with enhanced networking opportunities with the group's 1,100 members, who work in the outdoo
Under Armour Title Sponsors HS Baseball Classic
Under Armour agreed to title sponsor the 2008 Under Armour All-America Baseball game, formerly called the Cape Cod High School Baseball Classic presented by Under Armour. The game will be played at Wrigley Field on Sunday, August 17…
Foot Locker Amends Credit Line
Foot Locker, Inc. entered into an amended credit agreement with its banks, providing for a $175 million revolving credit facility and extending the maturity date to May 16, 2011, according to a filing with the SEC. The credit agreement also provides for a
Wellman Raises Fortel Polyester Prices
Wellman, Inc. said rising oil prices were forcing it to raise the price of its Fortrel polyseter staple fiber by 4 cents per pound effective with June 2, 2008 shipments. The price increase marks the seventh since April 2007. Wellman has raised Fortrel pri
Gander Opens Stores in Minnesota and Florida
Gander Mountain opened its newest stores in Eau Claire, Minn. and Ocala, FL. Tuesday and will celebrate grand openings for both large format stores May 30…
