Trade shows : Interbike Reports Solid Attendance Gains

Interbike, which took place in Las Vegas last week, reported total attendance reached 25,536, compared to 23,270 in 2011 resulting in an increase of 2,266 or approximately 10 percent.

Total number of physical retail store locations (store count) was 4,160, compared to 3,975 in 2011 resulting in an increase of 185 or approximately 5 percent. Attendance from buyers - comprising of retail buyers distributors and importers – increased 6 percent over 2011 numbers.

“To say we’re pleased with the 2012 show is an understatement,” said Pat Hus, Managing Director of Interbike. “Our goal was to create an ideal environment where decision makers can get educated on 2013 product, learn new business practices through our seminars & panel discussions, network and ultimately conduct the business of cycling among the best and the brightest in our industry – and I believe we accomplished that goal.”

Some highlights from Interbike 2012 include:

• Largest ever attendance at OutDoor Demo; 10 percent increase over 2011
• More than 60 educational seminars, tech clinics and panel discussions
• More than 250 new exhibitors showcasing product in The LAB
• Live-streamed video from the Interbike Media Center with more than 20 interviews from leaders in the cycling industry

Interbike returns to Las Vegas in 2013 at its new home, the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. The show begins with OutDoor Demo in Boulder City, NV on September 16-17, 2013, followed by the Interbike Expo from September 18-20, 2013.

( SportsOneSource Media )

Business people : Hopkins Resigns as CEO of Cleveland Golf/Srixon

Cleveland® Golf/Srixon announced that Greg Hopkins has resigned as CEO of the company, effective immediately. Yesterday, September 24, 2012, Hopkins officially tendered his resignation to the Board of Dunlop Sports in Kobe, Japan.

"I've been with Cleveland for sixteen years and have seen tremendous growth for the company during that time," said Hopkins. "Now I'm at a point in my life where I want to do some things and explore some ideas that I’ve always wanted to pursue." 

Based in Huntington Beach, CA, Cleveland Golf, Srixon, Never Compromise and Cleveland Classics apparel are golf brands that enjoy a strong presence on competitive tours worldwide and are under the umbrella of Dunlop Sports based in Kobe, Japan.

( SportsOneSource Media )

Business news : Star Nutrition Picks up Second Canadian Distributor .

Star Nutrition, Inc., a California-based diversified health and wellness industry firm, added Peak Performance Products, Inc. as its newest Canadian distributor.

SportsFleet Ventures, Inc., a current Star Nutrition distributor, recently finalized a partnership with Peak Performance Products, which is one of the most well-known and highly respected distributors in the Canadian sports nutrition industry. These relationships allow consumers to more easily gain access to the highly sought-after Incrediwear products.

"We are so excited about the opportunity to support and grow the Incrediwear brand," says John Stoikus of Peak Performance Products, Inc. "We feel Incrediwear products will be a great addition to our current portfolio as well as our retail partners. It is with great pleasure that Peak Performance Products will now securely distribute Incredisocks, Incredibraces and Incrediwear sports recovery line for our premium retailers in Canada."

Other companies working with Peak Performance Products include Nogii, Dymatize, BPI sports, Organique and numerous other athletic, lifestyle and beauty products.

"Canadian interest in the Incrediwear brand has been rapidly increasing," states Star Nutrition CEO Jackson Corley. "Peak Performance Products' impressive track record speaks volumes to their ability to move quality products. By partnering with Peak and SportsFleet Ventures, we will be able to reach more people and create an even higher demand for our already success lines."

Incrediwear products, including Incredibraces, Incredisocks, Increditec, and Incredisoles, couple proven benefits such as aiding blood flow, thermo regulation, and wicking moisture. These factors allow the body to train harder, train longer and recover faster from workouts while aiding pain relief to injured body parts.

( SportsOneSource Media )

Business and retail news : Dr. Martens to Open Second NYC Store ! Just in Time for Black Friday !

Dr; Martens Soho store

British footwear brand picks a spot just north of Union Square for its second outpost in the city. Hypoallergenic skincare is out, and thick soles are in at storefron
British footwear brand Dr. Martens is stepping out for a second time in the Big Apple. After leasing its first New York City store two years ago in SoHo, the company, which has a U.S. headquarters in Portland, Ore., recently signed a 10-year deal for 6,200 square feet at 868 Broadway, between West 17th and West 18th streets.

The deal includes about 2,000 square feet on the ground floor, a 1,700-square-foot storage basement, and 2,500 square feet on the second floor, which will be used for a showroom and office space. Typical neighborhood asking rents are around $300 a square foot, brokers said.

Union Square is increasingly becoming the footwear capital of the city—outposts from Geox, Steve Madden and Paragon are all nearby...

Continue reading ...

By Adrianne Pasquarelli

Sports Events: Nike/Hurley Pull Out of Surf Sponsorship .

Hurley and Converse and their parent company Nike have announced that they are pulling out of sponsoring the U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach, Calif., to focus their attention on other initiatives, according to shop-eat-surf.com.

"In many ways, we achieved the goals we set for ourselves at the U.S. Open," Hurley founder and CEO Bob Hurley said in a statement to shop-eat-surf.com. "Now it's time to export the magic created at the U.S. Open and invest it into other aspects of our business, like a renewed athlete focus and new and exciting ways of connecting with millions of kids."

A new title sponsor has not yet been announced.

"We are looking forward to evolving the Nike Lowers Pro and putting efforts into expanding grassroots events like the Nike Block Series surf contest," Nike Global Action Sports VP Sandy Bodecker said to shop-eat-surf.com. "Nike will continue to be active in the sport by innovating and supporting surfing through our events, products and athletes."

The full article is here....

( By TIFFANY MONTGOMERY through SportsOneSource Media ) 

Business people : ON Running shoes Names Christian Ward National Dealer Support Manager.

On, the new running shoe company built on patented Swiss technology, has named running industry veteran Christian Ward to the position of national dealer support manager. The appointment was made by Ted Goodlake, On’s director of sales, North America.

In this position, Ward will be responsible for developing and managing On’s in-store relationship with more than 100 independent running retailers across North America.  This includes; creating in-store sell-through opportunities via education, managing a team of On tech-reps, developing sales staff perks, creating viral and social media initiatives and more.

“Christian is a great fit for this important position as he is one of the most energetic, creative and hard–working people I have ever encountered in the industry,” said Mr. Goodlake.  “This role is critical to our success, as in-store brand promotion and the education of the sales staff is the key element of ensuring trial among consumers.”

Ward has more than 20 years in the running industry with such successful companies as Nike, Reebok, Pearl Izumi, Oakley and Sole.  From 2010-11 he served his second tour with Reebok, this time as a Senior Key Account Manager for running specialty retail.  A veteran runner with more than 14 marathons and a 50-kilometer at age 50 to his credit, Ward lives in Ann Arbor, MI.  Also an avid writer, he has penned numerous articles and essays about running for a variety of media outlets including Outdoor Athlete where he also served as Associate Publisher.

( SportsOneSource Media )

Statistics ( USA) : ICSC Forecasts Holiday Chain Store Sales to Increase by 3.0%.

Holiday Hiring to Increase Slightly As Well .
NEW YORK, September 25, 2012 – With the holiday season right around the corner, the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) is forecasting a 3.0% sales increase for the traditional November-December holiday period. Additionally, ICSC anticipates that the other two measures of U.S. industry holiday sales – shopping-center sales and “GAFO-store” sales – will increase slightly as well [Editor’s note: see table below].

However, this year’s season comes with a bit more uncertainty than usual because of the increased crosscurrents—a softening in the economy, improving housing prices and markets, rising gasoline prices, a presidential election and the infamous looming $500 billion in automatic spending cuts to the federal budget and tax increases slated for January 1, 2013.

This of course begs the question: will the Christmas holiday shopping season be held hostage to Congress’ deliberations on the automatic federal spending cuts and tax increases? Michael P. Niemira, vice president of research and chief economist for ICSC, says the potential for this to happen is there, however, “despite the cautiousness displayed in our forecast for the 2012 holiday season due to the uncertainty about the automatic spending cuts, Congress has a real opportunity to resolve the issue quickly and amicably to assuage consumer fears, which, in turn, could propel this season’s performance far above ICSC’s current expectations.”

 Additionally, holiday hiring is highly correlated with holiday spending and it appears that overall, retailers will add over 26 thousand seasonal jobs this year, which would be a modest increase over 2011.

U.S. Holiday-Season Spending
November-December Periods, Not Seasonally Adjusted
Category			2007			2008			2009			2010			2011			2012 Forecast
Shopping-Center Sales (Billions of Dollars)			$439			$420			$417			$434			$452			$463
% Change			1.8			-4.3			-0.8			4.2			4.1			2.5
GAFO Store Sales (Billions of Dollars)			$251			$236			$233			$242			$251			$258
% Change			1.6			-6.2			-1.3			3.8			3.7			2.9
Chain Store Sales Index (Same-Store, 2005=100)			105.5			99.6			101.9			105.8			109.3			112.6
% Change			1.1			-5.6			2.3			3.8			3.3			3.0
Sources: U.S. Department of Commerce; ICSC Research.

About ICSC:
Founded in 1957, ICSC is the premier global trade association of the shopping center industry. Its more than 55,000 members in over 90 countries include shopping center owners, developers, managers, marketing specialists, investors, retailers and brokers, as well as academics and public officials. As the global industry trade association, ICSC links with more than 25 national and regional shopping center councils throughout the world. For more information, visit www.icsc.org.

Contact: Jesse Tron / +1 646-728-3814  / jtron@icsc.org

Web and retail news :BikeRoar Launches With Free Dealer Listings.

WALNUT, Calif. – September 26, 2012 – BikeRoar, a new cycling website for consumers in search of bike retailers that stock the products they are looking for, today announced the site is open for free dealer listings.

With BikeRoar’s free listing retailers have a new online platform for marketing their stores and products while enabling them to reach out to more customers quickly, easily and with minimal cost. With the site's innovative new GeoIP database architecture, consumers can also search for retailers by brands sold, by location or both with ease.

“We wanted to emphasize the local aspect of the search so that retailers in that city or town can maximize their exposure to cyclists nearby,” said Dax Neech, BikeRoar business development manager. “BikeRoar is a great tool for dealers to have in their belt to let cyclists know who they are and what they carry.”

The free basic listings provides each dealer an “About Us” section, options to feature a store logo, opening hours and contact details, the option to review products and a section to showcase brands carried. To ensure customers can easily locate dealer's stores, the site also offers a feature that allows the fine-tuning of a Google Street View of their store location.

BikeRoar will soon roll out a Premium listing which offers dealers the advantage of additional options designed to better engage with customers. These features include the ability to showcase stocked inventory and pricing of what’s available in-store, promotional specials, advanced analytics and in-depth shop information such as videos, staff interviews and store tours.

“Brick and mortar shops might not always be able to compete with online in price, but they’ll always win when it comes to convenience and service, and BikeRoar provides a platform where they can go head-to-head with online retailers in all three categories, not just retail price,” said Patrick McBride, BikeRoar National Accounts Manager.

For more information about BikeRoar, visit www.bikeroar.com, or contact U.S. Accounts Manager Patrick McBride at patrick.m@bikeroar.com or 815.561.4610.

About BikeRoar
Founded in 2011, BikeRoar is a breakthrough cycling website platform combining unbiased reviews, tech tips and product advice with a powerful online dealer search function that allows cyclists to find the brands they want from shops nearby. Independent bicycle dealers can also promote their inventories, staff knowledge, service options and more to gain more customers and make their business easy to locate. For more information, visit www.bikeroar.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Laarni de Lusong, BikeRoar, Online Marketing Manager, marketing@bikeroar.com
Chip Smith, SOAR Communications, 801.656.0472 x1(wk) / 801.597.7515(cell), csmith@soarcomm.com

(Industry News Release Written By: Chip Smith)

Statistics :AAFA Releases ShoeStats 2012 Report ( USA)

Arlington, VA – The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA)  released its ShoeStats 2012 report, a snapshot of the U.S. footwear industry market trends for 2011.  ShoeStats 2012 examines business and trade information related to U.S. footwear consumption, production, employment, imports, and retail prices.
“With a 7.9 percent surge in domestic footwear manufacturing, 2011 was a very positive year for the U.S. footwear industry,” said AAFA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke.  “2011 was also marked by an increase in retail sales and growth in employment at the manufacturing, wholesale, and retail levels.  2011 also represents a shift in sourcing as the industry began to diversify its supply chain away from China to other viable sourcing partners, including the United States.”

“Accounting for more than one million U.S. workers, the U.S. footwear industry is a powerful example of an industry that is able to create jobs and provide meaningful savings for American families because of international trade,” Burke said. “With more than 98 percent of the footwear sold in the United States being produced internationally, there is a distinct and positive correlation between trade and job creation in the U.S. footwear industry, even while seeing growth in domestic manufacturing.”

To continue supporting more than one million American jobs related directly to the U.S. footwear industry and the countless others supported by the industry, the U.S. government must continue to reduce barriers to trade, including the immediate congressional passage of the Affordable Footwear Act.  This common sense legislation would eliminate the hidden and regressive import taxes that only drive up the prices on low-cost and children’s shoes.  Its passage directly benefits hardworking American families and supports jobs here in the United States while continue to protect the remaining footwear manufacturers in the United States.

The Affordable Footwear Act (H.R. 2697 / S. 1069) was introduced on July 29, 2011, in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representative Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) and co-sponsored by Representatives Joe Crowley (D-NY), Kevin Brady (R-TX), and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and in the U.S. Senate by Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and co-sponsored by Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO), Pat Roberts (R-KS), and Patty Murray (D-WA) on May 25, 2011.  Learn more about the Affordable Footwear Act at www.endtheshoetax.org.

Key Facts from ShoeStats 2012:

• U.S. footwear consumption by volume for 2011 dropped 3.8 percent to more than 2.18 billion pairs of shoes.  While consumption dropped slightly over the significant gains made in 2010, the decrease in consumption does not represent a return to the recession-level consumption experienced in 2008 and 2009.
  
• While U.S. footwear consumption slightly declined in 2011, the value of sales grew by 4.8 percent to $66.1 billion at retail.  This growth reflects both the increase in price driven by higher supply chain costs, including increases in materials, labor, and transportation, as well as consumers returning to purchases of shoes at higher price-points coming out of the recession.
  
• 98.6 percent of footwear sold in the United States is made internationally, a 0.2 percent decline from 2010, which represents the first-ever decline in import penetration, or the amount of the U.S. footwear market supplied by imports.
  
• On average, every American, including every man, woman, and child in the United States spent $212 on more than seven pairs of shoes in 2011.
  
• Americans, on average, continue to spend an ever smaller percentage of their household income to buy more shoes.
  

ShoeStats is one of the many exclusive benefits offered for free to AAFA members.  Non-members may order ShoeStats 2012 for a nominal fee by contacting Darrell Sumpter at (703) 797-9050.  Complimentary reports are available to credentialed members of the media by contacting Scott Elmore at (703) 797-9056.

About AAFA 
The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) is the national trade association representing apparel, footwear and other sewn products companies, and their suppliers, which compete in the global market.  AAFA's mission is to promote and enhance its members' competitiveness, productivity and profitability in the global market by minimizing regulatory, commercial, political, and trade restraints.  Learn how AAFA wears our mission at www.wewear.org.

( Source AAFA )

New products : K2 Skates & Boa® Closure System Combine Performance and Ease for Fitness Skate Series

F.I.T 84 Boa

Seattle, WA, Sep 25, 2012 -
 K2 Skates, a global leader in the manufacturing of inline skates and the inventor of the Original Softboot™ inline skate, brings the perfect combination of performance and comfort for the fitness skate category with its redesigned F.I.T 84 Boa and Alexis 84 Boa skates. Using the innovative Boa® Closure System, the new F.I.T 84 Boa and Alexis 84 Boa are the best-engineered fitness skates ever produced by K2.
Years of product design and testing have produced numerous unique closure systems for K2, but nothing matches the ease, simplicity, and superior fit of the Boa® Closure System. The integration of Boa® into K2’s Original Softboot™ design provides the ultimate in smooth, even support and comfort, allowing the skater to adjust his or her skates on the fly with its “easy-on, easy-off” design. Boa® has revolutionized K2 skate fit and design and creates a new standard for what is considered “best in class” for inline skate design.
With the Boa® Closure System, you can forget about pressure points and laces. But beyond the simple closure, the men’s F.I.T. 84 Boa (MSRP $225) and women’s Alexis 84 Boa (MSRP $225) feature an unparalleled design combination use Die Cast Aluminum frames and Stability Plus cuffs to create the support and stability needed by the speeds generated by ILQ-7 bearings and 84 mm wheels. Get fit, and discover the next level in your skating!
Available at retail nationwide and online in Spring 2013. For more information, check out www.k2skates.com.

About K2 Skates
K2 revolutionized the inline skate industry in 1994 with the introduction of the first Softboot inline skates. Developed in partnership with U.S. National Cross Country team member John Svensson and U.S. Olympic speed skater Tony Meibock, the K2 Softboot moved beyond the uncomfortable, plastic-style designs that dominated the market. K2’s patented design provided skaters with the precision and accuracy of a hardshell boot, but in a comfortable, lightweight softboot design. Almost 20 years later and expanded to a full model line of men’s, women’s, and children’s inline skates for everything from family recreation to everyday fitness and professional competition, the Softboot design is still the foundation of the K2 Skates line. Often imitated, but never duplicated, K2 is the Original Softboot™ that continues to push the envelope of inline skate innovation. For more information on K2 Skates products, technology, and stories, please visit www.k2skates.com.

Media Contact:
Verde PR / Lisa Mullen / 970.259.3555 / Lisa@verdepr.com

Business news : Scott Sports Acquires Garmont’s NA Distribution for Undisclosed Price

Sun Valley, ID, September 26, 2012 — SCOTT Sports and GARMONT announced today that the two companies have joined forces in the US. Over time, GARMONT USA will be merged with SCOTT USA’s operations located in Portland, OR, Salt Lake City, UT or Ogden, UT.  At the same time, SCOTT has acquired the Life-Link business from GARMONT and will develop the Life-Link brand worldwide.

The addition of GARMONT USA will increase SCOTT’s already diverse portfolio of winter sport hardgoods, outdoor apparel and accessories.  Along with the GARMONT brand, GARMONT USA’s portfolio of well-known companies includes Life-Link and Bridgedale Socks, all of which will be distributed by SCOTT USA in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Commenting on the transaction, SCOTT Sports Owner and CEO Beat Zaugg said, “We are very excited about today’s announcement as it marks another important step in our planned and controlled growth strategy as an innovative brand that offers year round products from head to toe. Adding GARMONT’s line of ski boots and outdoor footwear to our North American distribution helps to promote cross-selling opportunities with other SCOTT products and expands our reach to winter and outdoor retailers.”

Achille Morlin, GARMONT owner and President, added, “This partnership helps reinforce and expand the GARMONT brand presence on the North American market, ensuring a strong platform for continued growth and further strengthening our customer relationships.”
SCOTT USA will take over GARMONT’s North American operations beginning on September 26th 2012.  All pre season orders will be honored and shipped per the terms of dealer agreements.

Business news :Talus Outdoor Technologies Inks First Exclusive Canadian Distributor

Missoula, MT, Sep 25, 2012 -
Talus Outdoor Technologies, LLC®, maker of the ColdAvenger® line of cold weather face masks, announced its exclusive distributor partnership with Rock Gear Distribution in Canada. Rock Gear Distribution has already begun placing orders and delivering the ColdAvenger Classic, Pro, Hunter, Expedition Balaclava and Balaclava FRC for retailers in the Canadian marketplace.

Rock Gear Distribution is committed to providing high quality, innovative equipment for adventure travel and other outdoor sports, aligning perfectly with the ColdAvenger product line.
Rock Gear Distribution will focus in three distinct channels; outdoor, industrial and snowmobile.

“Rock Gear Distribution is exactly the partner Talus needs to help bring our ColdAvenger technology to the Canadian marketplace - this is a marketplace who has not only been demanding it, but is in a region where they need it,” says John Sullivan III, CEO of Talus Outdoor Technologies. “Rock Gear’s distribution channels, reputation and results speak for themselves. We’re glad to be on board with this crew.”

“Talus Outdoor Technologies and the ColdAvenger line of cold weather face masks is a perfect fit with our deep product offering of high quality outdoor products,” says Ian Lowe-Wylde, President of Rock Gear. “It’s satisfying to be able to offer solution-based products that protect people and help them have more fun in the elements. We are looking forward to a great winter season.”

The ColdAvenger achieves four functional goals: thermal comfort, ventilation adequacy, moisture control, and ease of breathing during hard work or play. The genius of ColdAvenger’s simple ventilation design allows for an easy, comfortable fit for ease of breathing with no moving or mechanical parts. The ColdAvenger’s patent-pending ventilation technology keeps temperatures inside the mask 40˚– 60˚F higher than outside air.

About Talus Outdoor Technologies
Founded and headquartered in Missoula, Montana, Talus Outdoor Technologies™ is a leading innovator in technologically-advanced outdoor gear. Talus is dedicated to helping outdoor enthusiasts Stay Out Longer.™ In 2007, Talus introduced the ColdAvenger®, an advanced, high-quality cold weather protection mask developed by a physician and a skier. The ColdAvenger® is the result of more than two years of research and development testing in Northern Rocky Mountain winters to achieve four functional goals: thermal comfort, ventilation adequacy, moisture control and ease of breathing during exercise. Talus is proud to provide an elite product while being socially and environmentally conscious. www.talusoutdoortech.com Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/coldavengerpro and Facebook: www.facebook.com/coldavengerpro

About Rock Gear Distribution
Rock Gear Distribution is located in beautiful Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, Canada. Rock Gear distributes name brand products that are designed for adventure travel, rock and ice climbing, paddling, camping and the kids market.  Our brands are available at the best outdoor retail stores.  Check out each of the product lines available to learn more about the products distributed.  www.rockgeardistribution.com

Contact: Hilary Hutcheson, PR Director / 503-828-7074, hilary@outsidemedia.com

Business news :New Balance on Track for $2.5 Billion in Sales by 2013

New Balance said that it's heading into fall with expectations to achieve $2.5 billion in global sales by 2013. In 2011, worldwide sales reached $2.04 billion, up from $1.78 billion in 2010. The company said strong sales growth among its U.S. licensed stores signals increasing overall brand health as a result of innovative and domestically-produced products in running and lifestyle.

New Balance’s U.S. licensed stores have now seen increased year over year sales for the past 24 straight months.  To date, overall licensed store sales have grown 10.5 percent in 2012.

"Achieving 24 months of same-store sales increases within the turbulent economic environment is very exciting. We can attribute much of this success to our best-in-class New Balance Store ownership group and our North American sales organization," says Chris Quinn, executive vice president, sales and retail for New Balance. "New Balance Store owners continue to provide an optimal sit-and-fit consumer experience and consistently leverage our key product and innovation stories."

New Balance said it remains focused on driving strong sales momentum across the brand’s other key distribution channels.  

"We have great work to do as we strive to become the number one brand in Running and better collaborate to impact not just our New Balance market share, but our retailers’ total athletic sales. We are committed to work more closely than ever with our specialty retailers as well as all of our strategic accounts and channels to earn their business and ensure we are the best possible, value-added, business partner," says Quinn.

"Our early read for Spring 2013 is very positive. We have seen solid strength in sales of running product at our independent specialty accounts and bookings for running product in the specialty channel for the first quarter of 2013 are up 45 percent percent," says Stephanie Smith, vice president of retail for New Balance.

Also contributing to brand’s overall brand health is the continued focus on New Balance’s "Let’s Make Excellent Happen" brand campaign, designed to motivate and inspire active consumers to reach a new level of personal performance – a new level of "Excellent," as well as the strength of key running initiatives, including the launch of REVlite, a lightweight cushioning foam featured in the 890 running shoe, the NB Minimus collection and core running styles which can be replenished quickly because they are manufactured domestically.

"We see our brand connecting more than ever with younger consumers, thanks to exciting new running products such as Minimus and REVLite as well as renewed interest in our lifestyle offerings such as the 574 and Made in the USA collections," says Quinn.  "Complementing our running product mix has been the New Balance’s commitment to the high school athlete with our sponsorship of the New Balance Nationals as well as other key marquis running events."

All 165 licensed New Balance stores in North America (148 in the U.S.) are independently owned and operated.

New Balance is currently the only athletic shoe company that manufactures footwear in the U.S. with 25 percent of our U.S. footwear shipments produced at five New England facilities. The company also operates a manufacturing facility in Flimby, U.K.

( SportsOneSource Media )

Business news : Black Pepper ® acquires French brand of Day Boat, Bahama

By taking this French brand of motorboats elegant design, inspired by utilities boat 1930s, Black Pepper ® reinforces its presence in the luxury boating market, which, inter alia with Code 0, it has become a major player .

The design and character of the Bahama resolutely "Vintage" are perfectly in line with Black Pepper ® products and more particularly Code 0.

Information and contact

Black Pepper ® sas 
29, rue de Billancourt - F. 92100mail@blackpepper.fr - tel. +33 146 047 041 
http://www.blackpepper.fr/

(Source blackpepper)

Retail store news : JJB Sports to Appoint Administrators to Liquidate Assets

JJB Sports will liquidate its assets through the administration process, the U.K. equivalency of a bankruptcy, after failing to find a buyer for its shares, the retailer announced Monday.

The retailer operates 180 sporting goods stores, but has been losing money since 2009. Liquidation seemed inevitable afterDick's Sporting Goods announced in mid-August that it was writing off its entire $32.4 million investment in JJB Sports, which it has made only months earlier.

Since launching a formal sale Aug. 30, JJB and its advisers have held discussions with a number of parties who have now submitted their final offers. Based on the final offers received and as previously foreshadowed in announcements made on Aug. 30 and Sept. 13, 2012, no value will be attributable to the company's ordinary shares.

Offers received since Aug. 30 include offers to acquire certain of or substantially all of the trade, assets and brands of the Group. However, the Board notes that it does not have and does not now expect to receive an offer for the shares of JJB. Accordingly, the Takeover Panel has confirmed that the company is now out of an offer period.

"The Board has determined that any sale of the trade, assets and brands will be effected through an administration process," the company announced Monday. "Therefore it is expected that the process to commence the appointment of administrators of the company and certain of its subsidiaries will begin today although the actual appointments are only likely to take effect just before the completion of any such sale. The Group will therefore continue to trade through all retail outlets outside of an administration pending completion of a sale process."

The company has proposed three partners with KPMG LLP be appointed as the administrators of the company and certain of its subsidiaries. The company suspended trading in its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market Monday morning and said it hopes to announce a sale of the trade, assets and brands of the Group within the next few days. A further announcement will be made in due course.

In a separate release, JJB Sports announced that Mohamed Al Fayed, who sold Harrod’s department store in London to Qatar Holdings in 2010 for a reported $2.4 billion, increased his holdings of JJB Sports Sept. 21 from 12.7 million to 23 million shares, or 5.67 percent of the company. Al Fayed is a self-made Egyptian billionaire and anglophile who resides in the United Kingdom and retains holdings in luxury fashion, hospitality and a soccer club.

Related Previous post :

Sports Direct Leads Bidders for JJB Sports (UK)

( SportsOneSource Media )

Business and retail news : Lids To Acquire Dowdle Sports' Team Business

Lids Team Sports, an operating division of Indianapolis-based Lids Sports Group, has reached an agreement with Cordova, TN-based Dowdle Sports, Inc., the full line dealer of outdoor and athletic sporting goods, for the assets of its team business. The e-commerce site DowdleSports.com was not included in the deal, and will continue to function independent of LIDS Sports Group.

"With more than 29 years of experience in the team business, deeply rooted in a commitment to providing superior customer service and quality products, Dowdle Sports is an ideal addition to our group,” said Matt Geske, executive vice president of Lids Team Sports. “We are delighted to add this caliber of individuals to our lineup, and look forward to providing better sporting goods solutions for both our new and existing customers through our unique vendor relationships.”

Lids Team Sports’ purchase consists of Dowdle’s entire athletic inventory. The former Dowdle team sales representatives, whose client base consists of the Memphis, Mississippi and Arkansas territory, will now be employed by Lids Team Sports but will maintain their offices in Cordova. They join a league of more than 160 current LIDS Team Sports sales force members with a team marketplace presence in all 50 states. All sporting goods will be transitioned to Lids Sports Group’s 300,000 square-foot production facility in Indianapolis.

“We at Lids Team Sports remain strong in our commitment to be the elite team dealer in the U.S. through the constant evolution of our customer service skills, as well as our expansion in the form of strategic growth prospects. We are very pleased with the growth in our sales force, the successes of our technological advancements and our synergetic cross-promotion opportunities with fellow Lids Sports Group division Lids – and its more than 1,000 retail locations nationwide. All of this benefits the consumer,” said Geske.

Lids Team Sports is a full service team dealer, custom screen printer, embroidery and sporting goods operator based in Indianapolis, Indiana, and a division of Hat World, Inc. Hat World is a niche mall-based retailer of baseball caps and team fan shops operating primarily under the LIDS retail brand. LIDS Team Sports was founded in 2009 and is made up primarily of regional team dealers Anaconda Sports (Lake Katrine, New York), the former Brand Athletics (Tigard, Oregon), and the former Impact Sports (Madison, Wisconsin). What began as a modest 10-state sales territory in 2009 now spans 50 states today. The company provides all-inclusive institutional sporting goods to a broad range of customers throughout the United States, including colleges and universities, high schools, corporations, and youth organizations. The business offers a diverse selection of products – jerseys, warm-ups, fleeces, polo shirts, jackets, t-shirts, shorts, shoes and other team uniform sportswear and a complete line of sporting equipment – and services such as team fundraising support. The company also operates the Internet sites www.lidsteamsports.com and www.anacondasports.com, in addition to a LIDS Team Golf division and a catalog business.

( SportsOneSource Media )

Trade showsc : Big growth for the Glissexpo show ( France )

Glissexpo, the newly resurrected action and board sports fair on the French Basque Coast, has enlarged the professional and public sections of the show, due to take place at Seignosse from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2.

The number of exhibiting brands has grown by 30 percent to almost 300, as compared to last year. John Petit, an emblematic BMX rider and consultant for the Sport+ sport channel, has been drafted to organize all the activities related to equipment tests as well as a dirt festival. Surfboard shapers will be constantly on the go. Aside from a longskate fun course and an art & music program, open-air cinema and a special Hawaiian beach party will be among the highlights.

Welcoming visitors from around the world, the show’s organizers, Alain Sevellec and Rémi Bertoche, thank ISPO, Eurosima, the French sporting goods retailers federation, Sport Guide, Sport Eco and various other media and PR agencies for their support. More under www.glissexpo.fr

( by SGI Europe  through Ispo Newsblog )

Business news :The manufacturer Nimbus Boats rescued by Swedish investors

The Swedish holding company R12 AB is the new majority shareholder of the Nimbus Group with the brand names Nimbus Boats and Paragon Yachts.

The Swedish privately held holding company R12 has acquired the assets relating to the Nimbus Boats and Paragon Yacht brands and intend to invest further to strengthen the Group’s position as the leading Nordic producer of leisure boats in the 20 – 40 feet range.

The core focus going forward will be to further develop the market and relationship with existing dealers and to strengthen the product development efforts of the group under the two brand names Nimbus Boats and Paragon Yachts.

"We will continue to build our success with a wider range of our Nimbus Coupe, that was nominated boat of the year 2012 with a bigger 40ft aiming for the European, Russian and Asian markets," says acting CEO Magnus Andersson.

All business focus now will be at the coming boat shows, first Friedrichshafen and then Hamburg Boat Show and the launch of the new Paragon 25 Ranger for the Nordic markets.

We are very optimistic with the new more focused and cost efficient organization, continuing building the two brands with our skilful workforce and distribution network.

R12 is a Swedish investment company managed by co-owners Per Hesselmark and Hans Ramel. The company’s largest owner is the family of Robert af Jochnick. R12’s investment operations are focused on Scandinavia and include the retailer Twilfit, lift manufacturer Cibes, producer of printed circuit boards NCAB amongst others. Please refer to www.r12kapital.se for further details.

Magnus Andersson will remain as interim CEO during a handover period and the rest of the export team will remain as is of today.

Download pressrelease:
» English
» Swedish

For further information, please contact Magnus Andersson, acting CEO +46-738-53 46 38

Related previous post :

The Swedish Nimbus Boats bankruptcy: butchering begins !

Business news :KCS International Inc. rebrands Azure Sport Boats line into Cruisers Yachts portfolio.

Press Release
 OCONTO, Wis.—(Sept. 25, 2012)— KCS International Inc. (KCS), parent company of Cruisers Yachts and Rampage Sport Fishing Yachts, announced today that the recently acquired Azure Sport Boats line will be renamed Cruisers Sport Series in order to reflect the true essence of the Cruisers Yachts craftsmanship. The acquisition means the Cruisers name now offers a full product line of vessels from 22-54’.

“We learned, after conferring with consumers, dealers and media observers that the new Azure boats, recently produced at our Oconto plant, possess all of the quality craftsmanship that Cruisers Yachts are known for, which is why we had to step back and say ‘the name needs to fit the quality’, hence the Cruisers Sport Series” said Mark Pedersen, president of KCS International Inc. “Effective immediately, we are now introducing the distinguished 22- 29 feet Cruisers Sport Series.”

KCS began producing the sport series ninemonths ago, and all manufacturing has been moved to the Oconto, Wisconsin facility; the very same facility, design and manufacturing process that produces the renowned Cruisers Yachts. After experiencing the release of the 2013 Azure models, built by KCS, the industry identified the same level of quality craftsmanship and standard amenities in the Cruisers Yachts line, evident in every inch of the 10 sport boat models.

“The Cruisers Sport Series models, like all of our boats, showcase our superior workmanship and unique product development, because of our first-class manufacturing team in Wisconsin,” said Pedersen. “It is imperative that our customers understand that these sport boats are members of the Cruisers family and reflect the same quality and innovative design.”

The new Cruisers Sport Series line will be showcased at the upcoming Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, October 25- 29, 2012.

KCS International Inc.
September 25, 2012

Statistics : The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® Increases in September. Index Improves Nine Points ( USA)

25 September, 2012

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index^®, which had declined in August, improved in September. The Index now stands at 70.3 (1985=100), up from 61.3 in August. The Expectations Index increased to 83.7 from 71.1. The Present Situation Index rose to 50.2 from 46.5 last month.

The monthly Consumer Confidence Survey^®, based on a probability-design random sample, is conducted for The Conference Board by Nielsen, a leading global provider of information and analytics around what consumers buy and watch. The cutoff date for the preliminary results was September 13.

Says Lynn Franco, Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board: “The Consumer Confidence Index rebounded in September and is back to levels seen earlier this year (71.6 in February 2012). Consumers were more positive in their assessment of current conditions, in particular the job market, and considerably more optimistic about the short-term outlook for business conditions, employment and their financial situation. Despite continuing economic uncertainty, consumers are slightly more optimistic than they have been in several months.”

Consumers’ appraisal of present-day conditions improved in September. Those claiming business conditions are “good” edged up to 15.5 percent from 15.3 percent, while those saying business conditions are “bad” declined to 33.3 percent from 34.3 percent. Consumers’ assessment of the labor market was also more upbeat. Those stating jobs are “plentiful” rose to 8.3 percent from 7.2 percent, while those claiming jobs are “hard to get” edged down to 39.9 percent from 40.6 percent.

Consumers were also more optimistic about the short-term outlook in September. Those expecting business conditions to improve over the next six months increased to 18.2 percent from 16.7 percent, while those anticipating business conditions to worsen decreased to 13.8 percent from 17.6 percent. Consumers’ outlook for the labor market was also more favorable. Those expecting more jobs in the months ahead increased to 18.5 percent from 15.8 percent, while those anticipating fewer jobs declined to 18.5 percent from 23.7 percent. The proportion of consumers expecting an increase in their incomes edged up to 16.3 percent from 16.0 percent.

The next release is scheduled for Tuesday, October 30, 2012, at 10:00 AM ET.

For further information contact:
Jonathan Liu
1 212 339 0257 /Jonathan.liu@conference-board.org
Ralph Piscitelli
1 212 339 0441 / ralph.piscitelli@conference-board.org

Business news : Nike Granted Injunction Against Adidas in Flyknit Lawsuit ( Germany) .

Nike won an injunction from the District Court in Nuremberg that prohibits Adidas from selling the adiZero Primeknit. Nike claimed in its suit that the shoes infringe on its Flyknit patent.

Nike's full statement follows, "We are pleased the District Court in Nuremberg has granted our application for an interim injunction against adidas for patent infringement by the “adizero primeknit” shoe released in July, 2012. As a result, adidas has been ordered to stop the manufacture and distribution of the shoe in Germany.

"Nike has a strong heritage of innovation and leadership in footwear design and development. Our patents are the foundation of that leadership and we protect them vigorously. In this case, the injunction helps protect the innovative Nike Flyknit footwear technology Nike introduced in February, 2012.

"We look forward to presenting our case for a permanent injunction to the court."

Adidas lauched the Primeknit launched at the start of the 2012 London Olympics. Many critics at the time noted how similar the one-piece upper was to Nike's Flyknit, which was released in February.

( SportsOneSource Media )

Business ad retail news :Nike and Champs Launch Football-Themed Store

Nike, Inc. and Champs Sports celebrated the opening of its first-ever Nike football retail experience designed to serve football athletes from pee-wee to pro.

As a pinnacle football retail destination, Nike Yardline at Champs Sports is the first ever mall-based partnership offering a complete football experience that will serve athletes who not only play the game, but also live the football life. The store, located in Willowbrook Mall in Wayne, NJ, will provide consumers with special access to signature Nike football products, athletes, teams and experiences while connecting the local and national football community both in store and online.

The Nike Yardline at Champs Sports store is the premiere football destination for football athletes who live and love the game. As the epicenter of football across all levels, this location will bring communities together, serving football athletes 365 days a year by providing access to unique products, training and game expertise, and professional athletes.

This retail experience is the first of its kind to be opened by Champs Sports stores in the United States with plans to expand and evolve these locations in the future. The partnership features a store-within-a-store concept housing the latest Nike Football product. The grand opening event happening on Saturday, September 8th, will showcase new NFL Nike “Limited” Jerseys, 32 team “Knows” tees, and limited player edition product such as the latest Nike TR1 colorways including Jerry Rice, Tim Tebow and Calvin Johnson among other unique assortments.

As a digital extension of the store, consumers may access www.champssports.com/yardline for the latest news on product launches and events.

( SportsOneSource Media )

Business people : Brooks Range Welcomes Carl Kirkpatrick as South East Sales Rep ( USA )

Brooks Range Mountaineering Equipment, maker of high quality backcountry and mountaineering gear, is pleased to announce that Carl Kirkpatrick, owner of Appalachian Woods, will join the Brooks Range family, serving as the South East sales rep. Starting immediately, Kirkpatrick will be covering all Brooks Range sales in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, the Carolinas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky.

Kirkpatrick founded his independent sales company, Appalachian Woods, more than three years ago and brings extensive experience and strong relationships within the outdoor industry. “The benefits of working with a smaller agency such as Appalachian Woods is the amount of care Carl is going to apply to the Brooks-Range brand,” said Jeff Blakely, general manager of Brooks Range Mountaineering Equipment. “He already has relationships with key retailers in his territory and has hit the ground running.”

“I started seeing Brooks-Range at OR three years ago,” said Carl Kirkpatrick. “I always slowed down to check out the products as I walked by the booth, which always seemed to have a cluster of customers. Brooks-Range has been on my radar for quite some time and recently the opportunity opened up for me to look closer into adding another company to my line up.”

Brooks Range continues to add more outside sales representatives, further increasing their high level of customer service that both retailers and consumers have come to expect. Please contact phil@highpointventures.com for more information on Brooks Range’s sales employment needs.

About Brooks Range
Brooks Range is a manufacturer of mountaineering and outdoor equipment located in Fremont, Calif., providing innovative, top-quality backcountry and outdoor gear for professional guides and recreational travelers alike. Brooks Range products -- designed to deliver the ultimate in utility, comfort and safety in the backcountry and outdoors – are tested by some of the world's top mountaineering, avalanche and backcountry professionals. These experts form the core of the Brooks Range Advisory Board. Most products are made in the USA and are sold at outdoor retail shops nationwide, and on the web at: www.brooks-range.com. 

( Industry News Release Written By: Katy Gaenicke through snewsnet.com)

Trade shows : SIA Snow Show Daily Introduces New Staff and Expanded Media Portfolio.

Washington, DC (September, 2012) -- SnowSports Industries America (SIA), in conjunction with publishing partner Active Interest Media (AIM), is pleased to announce the appointment of Andy Hawk as Publisher and Cindy Hirschfeld as Managing Editor of the SIA Snow Show Daily. In addition, the Snow Show Daily portfolio, currently comprised of a preview issue and four daily editions, will expand this winter to include an On-Snow Demo Guide and a Season Ending Wrap-up.

Prior to joining the Snow Show Daily team, Hawk was the marketing director for the Professional Ski Instructors of America and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (PSIA-AASI) where he led the exceptional growth of their industry and consumer marketing programs.  He has also served as a member of the Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month task force. Andy was also the Publisher of Ski Racing magazine and worked in sales and marketing for SKI and Skiing magazines.

A veteran of the snow sports industry for almost 20 years, Hirschfeld has served as an editor for Skiing, Backcountry, the Professional Ski Instructors of America and the National Ski Patrol. She also writes for SKI, SNOW, Powder, SnoWorld, Ski Area Management, and Onthesnow.com, as well as covering snow sports for publications such as The New York Times, Robb Report, and Private Clubs.  

Building on the success of last year's content partnership, the TransWorld Business editorial team will be expanding their role for both the Snow Show Preview and the Snow Show Daily editions.  Also, for the second year, TransWorld Business will produce The Guide - a SIA Snow Show preview publication specifically for the snowboarding community.  "We are really excited to build on our partnership with the Daily team and grow the voice of the snowboard industry within its pages," said Mike Lewis, TransWorld Business Editor-In-Chief. "Working together, we are able to offer a better product to the industry."
"We could not be more excited about having Andy and Cindy on board to lead the Snow Show Daily," said David Ingemie, SIA President. "Their experience in snow sports publishing and passion for our industry make them a natural fit for this position. Over the past two years our partnership with AIM has revitalized the Daily and created a fantastic looking publication that provides additional coverage and responds to the needs of Show attendees. The On-Snow Demo Guide and Season Ending Wrap-up will add tremendous value for the industry."

Offering state-of–the-industry analysis and previews of emerging trends, the SIA Snow Show Preview will be mailed in late December to 12,000 retailers and industry VIPs and sent electronically to another 30,000. Onsite, the Snow Show Daily provides the trade show’s only on-the-floor source for news, analysis, and event coverage. In addition to distribution at the trade show, the Snow Show Daily is distributed early each morning to hotel rooms of Show attendees, electronically to the snow sports industry, and by mail to snow sports retailers unable to attend the Show.

New for 2013 will be an On-Snow Demo Guide, offering retailers a comprehensive set of resources for success during and after the On-Snow Demo/Ski-Ride Fest. As a follow-up to a successful SIA Sourcing Snow, Snow Show, On-Snow Demo/Ski-Ride Fest, the Show Daily team will release a Season Ending Wrap-up edition. The Wrap-up will highlight trends and new information presented during the Snow Show and coverage of the On-Snow Demo/Ski-Ride Fest plus a sneak peek of the season’s performance metrics.
"This is an exciting time to move into this role," said Andy Hawk, Publisher of the Show Daily. "Our expanding lineup of products is an incredible resource for industry marketers, providing a platform to deliver their message to key decision makers across a variety of touch points throughout the buying cycle. There is no tool available in snow sports that is more targeted or more engaging than the Snow Show Daily family of publications."

For more information on the Snow Show Daily, contact Andy Hawk at AHawkco@gmail.com or 303-641-0695. Download the 2013 SSSD Media Kit to advertise.

-SIA-

SnowSports Industries America (SIA) is the national not-for-profit, North American member-owned, trade association representing suppliers and service providers of snow sports products with constituents in the retailer, rep and resort communities. Established in 1954, SIA annually produces the SIA Snow Show, the largest snow sports industry trade show, on-snow demo and networking environment globally, while delivering invaluable data/research reports including the Snow Sports Market Intelligence Report, SnowSports RetailTRAK™ and Executive Market Summary. SIA also produces a Supplier Show at the SIA Snow ShowcalledSourcing Snow; learn more at siasnowshow.com/sourcing. SIA helps grow the industry with consumer initiatives and websites, snowlink.com and wintertrails.org, marketing products, services and programs helping our Members operate more efficiently, bring their products to market and increase participation in snow sports. For more information, check out snowsports.org. SnowSports Industries America, 8377-B Greensboro Drive, McLean, VA 22102-3587 (Washington, DC area). Phone: 703.556.9020, Fax: 703.821.8276, Email: SIAmail@snowsports.org.

-AIM Outdoor Group-

AIM’s Outdoor Group is a blend of consumer and trade publications that reaches 3 million active enthusiasts each month across the trail, climbing, fitness, and ski industries. In addition to Backpacker and Climbing, it publishes SNEWS, Outdoor Retailer Daily, Epic Life (formerly Peaks), Snow Show Daily, and National Park Trips (a group of four magazines and five websites dedicated to Western outdoor travel). Based in Boulder, CO, the Outdoor Group also operates two of the most successful events in the outdoor industry: Backpacker’s annual Adventures NYC festival in Central Park, and Get Out More, a beginner-oriented clinic series that travels to 70 retailers annually.

Business news : Bauer Hockey Partners with Propex

Bauer Hockey, Inc. of Toronto, Ontario, announced a multi-year partnership with Propex Operating Company, LLC, of Chattanooga, TN, the producer of CURV Composite Technology. CURV is a high-tech composite material used in Bauer Hockey’s elite-level skates.

This partnership is exclusive to Bauer Hockey and utilizes patented technology that was developed by Propex as part of Bauer Hockey’s long-standing investment to elevate player performance and continuously exceed expectations in product development.

“Utilizing state-of-the-art materials for our equipment is a priority because players are always looking for maximum performance and protection, and they know our brands meet these demands,” said Kevin Davis, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bauer Performance Sports. “Our partnership with Propex is a continuation of this commitment, and we’re pleased this exclusive relationship has been extended.”

CURV Composite Technology captures exceptional mechanical properties by incorporating a process for weaving different composite materials without requiring additional reinforcement, such as with an additional structure, to maintain stiffness. As a result, the product also yields high tensile strength and outstanding impact resistance at a significantly lower weight than many other composite materials. CURV® Composite Technology is one of the many high-end technologies that go into Bauer Hockey’s high performance skates.

“Propex is thrilled to be exclusively partnered with the leading hockey skate manufacturer in the industry and believes BAUER has used CURV Composite Technology in a way that showcases the technology’s key properties and benefits,” said Dave Gartshore, Business VP for CURV Composite Technology at Propex. “We anticipate many examples of ground-breaking, innovative product developments happening throughout this mutually beneficial partnership.”

Bauer Hockey utilizes CURV Composite Technology in its current line of skates, including the Supreme Totalone NXG, the Supreme One.9 and the Vapor APX.

To see more news or posts about Bauer, please use the search engine at the right top of the page .

( SportsOneSource Media )