Latest News & Analysis – Page 282

  • Article

    Regatta Dismisses Hawkshead

    2011-02-05T00:00:00Z

    The Regatta Group has decided to close down its Hawkshead brand of outdoor clothing, which it purchased three years ago, having realized that very substantial investments would have been required to nurture it and to make it grow. No layoffs will be necessary because of the strong growth ...

  • Article

    Salewa Hikes To Northern Europe At Last And Posts Strong Footwear Sales

    2011-02-05T00:00:00Z

    The Oberalp Group, which markets the Salewa brand, is now serious about northern Europe for its core brand. It has hired, effective Feb. 1, Yves Sarto, who has been with Patagonia Europe for around two decades involved in product and sales management. The 42-year-old will run his business for the ...

  • Article

    Columbia Is In A Turnaround Mode In Europe And Elsewhere

    2011-02-05T00:00:00Z

    In reporting significant growth across all its brands, regions and product categories for the fourth quarter and the 2010 fiscal year last Thursday, Columbia Sportswear seemed to be flying like the Phoenix out of the ashes. Tim Boyle, president and chief executive, said that the overall performance of the group ...

  • Article

    Lacrosse Footwear Sales Rise By 23 Percent In Fourth Quarter

    2011-02-05T00:00:00Z

    LaCrosse Footwear reported sales of $52.1 million in the fourth quarter, up by 23 percent from $42.5 million a year earlier. Net income rose by 74 percent to $4.0 million from $2.3 million. In the full year, sales were up by 8 percent to $150.5 million and net income was ...

  • Article

    Mctrek Is On Track With Good Results And New Openings

    2011-02-05T00:00:00Z

    Yeah! AG, the holding company of the Sine stores and McTrek, the low-budget specialty chain of outdoor stores in Germany, reports a successful year 2010: Total sales soared by 45 percent to €22.4 million. Originally, the chain had planned a sales increase of 27 percent for the same year. The ...

  • Article

    Eog Conservation Group Gets A Makeover

    2011-02-05T00:00:00Z

    The EOG Association for Conservation has changed its name to the European Outdoor Conservation Association after a vote at its recent annual meeting. The organization has refocused on consumers, and wanted a name that was more easily recognizable and better described the group's purpose. The new EOCA has ...

  • Article

    Eog Invites The Whole Industry To Provide Data

    2011-02-05T00:00:00Z

    The European Outdoor Group is putting out one last call for participants in its study of the European outdoor industry. It says that interested companies have their last chance to be involved at Ispo; no one will be allowed to sign up later. Already, 90 percent of the group's members ...

  • Article

    Abc Group Sets The Pace In Europe's Specialty Retail

    2011-01-18T00:00:00Z

    The ABC group, consisting of A.S. Adventure in Belgium, Bever in the Netherlands and Cotswold Outdoor in the U.K., firmed up its lead as Europe's largest specialist outdoor retailer last year. Its sales reached about €291.1 million, up by an impressive 22 percent. While this includes a spate of store ...

  • Article

    Blacks Elevates Its Outdoor Sales

    2011-01-18T00:00:00Z

    While reporting continued discussions on the possible sale of part or all of the British retail company to potential investors, Blacks Leisure put out encouraging figures showing that a strong performance enjoyed during the winter period offset a decline experienced over the past summer. The company expressed confidence that full-year ...

  • Article

    Bergans Sets Up Offices In The U.K. And Benelux

    2011-01-18T00:00:00Z

    Andy Nicolson, who built up the business of Lafuma and Jack Wolfskin in the U.K., has started as country manager in the same country for Bergans. The Norwegian outdoor brand opened an office near Kendal in the Lake District last month to cover the U.K. market. It will start entirely ...

  • Article

    Fjällräven Realigns International Sales

    2011-01-18T00:00:00Z

    The Swedish Fenix Group has appointed Alex Koska to the newly created position of international sales manager of Fjällräven, effective Jan. 1. Until now, international sales were handled by the brand's chief executive, Martin Axelhed. He will hand over responsibilities for certain markets to Koska, who will alslo remain managing ...

  • Article

    Vf Shuffles Its Execs; Eyes New Outdoor Acquisitions

    2011-01-18T00:00:00Z

    VF Corporation has done some shuffling in its executive ranks. Karl Heinz Salzburger, vice president of VF and president of VF International as well as a member of VF's operating committee, has the new title of vice president of VF and group president, international. Steve Rendle, the 51-year-old president ...

  • Article

    Vaude Makes Major Shifts In Product Management

    2011-01-18T00:00:00Z

    Vaude has reorganized its senior staff by merging its three business units - mountain sports, bike, and Packs ?n Bags (daypacks, handbags, shoulder bags etc.) - into one single unit , directed by Peter Sontheimer as of Jan. 1. The executive had been with the brand for the last 17 ...

  • Article

    Nomad Looks To Branch Out Internationally Again

    2011-01-18T00:00:00Z

    Nomad, the Dutch outdoor and travel brand, has opened discussions for distribution deals in several European countries, as it is actively rebuilding its international sales. About 80 percent of the brand's turnover last year was generated in the Netherlands, where Nomad has achieved outstanding market penetration. Nomad was ...

  • Article

    Leatherman Hunts Down The Two Brothers With A Knife

    2011-01-18T00:00:00Z

    Leatherman Tool Group, an American company based in Portland, Oregon, is going to acquire a majority share in Zweibrüder Optoelectronics GmbH & Company KB of Solingen, Germany. Zweibrüder Optoelectronics makes LED Lenser flashlights. The two brothers (?zwei Brüder? in German) who founded the German company, Rainer and Harald Opolka, ...

  • Article

    Schöffel Posts Double-digit Growth; Opens New Door With Lowa

    2011-01-18T00:00:00Z

    In its 2010 fiscal year, Schöffel managed to boost its overall sales by 12 percent to €84 million. The fantastic conditions both this winter and last weren't the only reason for the strong increase, since the company's outdoor business was up at a double-digit rate along with the snow wear ...

  • Article

    Patagonia Defends Itself Against Live-pluck Accusations

    2011-01-18T00:00:00Z

    Patagonia Europe is not happy with Vier Pfoten (?four paws?), a German NGO dealing with the protection of animals. Vier Pfoten has reported that Patagonia uses down plucked from live animals to stuff its feathered jackets. Patagonia says that is unfair, stating that Vier Pfoten's accusations are badly researched and ...

  • Article

    Europe Will Put An End To Shoe Duties At Last, But Sourcing Is Still A Problem

    2011-01-18T00:00:00Z

    The European Union will not renew the anti-dumping duties on imports of leather shoes from China and Vietnam that it introduced at the end of 2006 after they expire on March 31. As it turns out, the European shoe industry federation, CEC, did propose their extension before Christmas after an ...

  • Article

    British Oia Defines Its Targets For The Next Three Years

    2011-01-18T00:00:00Z

    OCC Outdoor, the British trade magazine, reports on a 20-page paper that outlines the plans of the Outdoor Industries Association through 2013. The aim is to promote outdoor sports to the general public. That's the main role that OIA sees itself playing in the near future, and therefore, the federation ...

  • Article

    The North Face Wants To Double In Five Years

    2010-12-20T00:00:00Z

    The North Face has unveiled ambitious plans to double business in the next five years, going from this year’s level of $1.4 billion to $3 billion by 2015. The outdoor equipment and clothing brand, owned by the VF Corporation, aims to expand its footprint by introducing innovative products, by further ...