http://www.snewsnet.com/ If it happens in the outdoor and fitness markets, SNEWS® is there so you can listen in. Always insightful, sometimes humorous, absolutely invaluable. No one covers the outdoor and fitness markets better than we do, period. In print since 1983, on the web since 2000, and now in audio for your listening pleasure. Interviews, special reports, event coverage, and more. en Copyright SNEWS® LLC, all rights reserved Sat, 4 Jul 2009 17:00:01 -0600 60 http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/15313.html Now well-established, the fifth-annual Health magazine awards for fitness and gear for active people include a number of core manufacturers from both outdoor and fitness. Called “America’s Healthiest Fitness Awards,” the awards pick top products in six categories, including fitness equipment, apparel, shoes, gear, fuel and DVDs. http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/15313.html Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MDT http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/SNEWS_View_Is_the_fitness_industry_killing_its_own_show_2009.html Rumors and questions about the potential demise of the Health & Fitness Business show started filtering into the SNEWS® offices as early as last fall, but the ol' rumor mill ramped up into high gear in the last few weeks. It began to feel like a junior high school dance. Sorry, not even mature enough for a high school analogy. Everybody is buzzing about whether the other person was going, then nixing attendance for fear they'd be the "only" ones there. Like a speeding swirl of water rushing down a toilet bowl, so the industry has started to flush its own show into oblivion. Is that a cold slap in the face? You bet it is. http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/SNEWS_View_Is_the_fitness_industry_killing_its_own_show_2009.html Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MDT http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Business_Solutions_Forum_emergencies_breaking_the_cycle_Jun2009.html Our Business Solutions Forum tackles the issues presented by retailers and business executives: I recognize the need to focus on the big picture, but everyday when I walk into work I am confronted with a non-stop stream of emergencies. I never have the luxury of spending time on the things that will make my business more successful in the future. How can I break this vicious cycle? http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Business_Solutions_Forum_emergencies_breaking_the_cycle_Jun2009.html Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MDT http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/LeMond_returns_blow_in_court_battle_with_Life_Fitness_Jun2009.html In a legal fisticuff that began the end of May, LeMond Fitness has delivered a return right hook to Life Fitness, filing a suit against the behemoth company in federal court charging breach of contract over Life's multi-million suit that claimed LeMond's cycles were "lemons." http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/LeMond_returns_blow_in_court_battle_with_Life_Fitness_Jun2009.html Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MDT http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Fitness_financials_Hibbett_Sports_062909.html Hibbett shares dip after analyst downgrade. Sport Chalet Q4 sales drop 12.7 percent, reports loss. Finish Line swings to Q1 loss. http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Fitness_financials_Hibbett_Sports_062909.html Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MDT http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/HFB09_education_service_products_in_Denver_Jun2009.html In what is likely the last time around for the Health & Fitness Business Expo in Denver after more than a decade, show organizers have put together a menu of exhibitors, education, service, parties and other networking opportunities for the Aug. 6-7, 2009, show. http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/HFB09_education_service_products_in_Denver_Jun2009.html Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MDT http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Fitness_Movin_Shakin_Greg_Ruffer_Bally_FHI_Jun2009.html Catch up on the latest moves and news being made in the fitness industry. http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Fitness_Movin_Shakin_Greg_Ruffer_Bally_FHI_Jun2009.html Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MDT http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Volume_Fitness_turns_it_off_in_US_Canada_after_16_months_Jun2009.html A down economy that only got worse has forced new supplier Volume Fitness to turn off its business in the United States and Canada after launching barely 16 months ago. The company, based in Salt Lake City, Utah, began phasing out operations as of June 1, although its retail customers didn't receive official notice until they contacted Volume for orders or service. http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Volume_Fitness_turns_it_off_in_US_Canada_after_16_months_Jun2009.html Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MDT http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Rethinking_Retail_Midwest_Mountaineering_Jun2009.html Considered one of the most successful and highly respected outdoor specialty stores in the country, Midwest Mountaineering has succeeded in part because its owner and employees are willing to take risks and explore activities that are emerging, or not traditionally supported by outdoor shops. In its 39 years, the store has embraced a wide range of things, from adventure racing to Nordic walking and snowkiting and, now, yoga and Tai Chi. New customers, more community exposure and increased sales and profits are, of course, the ultimate goals. http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Rethinking_Retail_Midwest_Mountaineering_Jun2009.html Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MDT http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Fitness_financials_Nike_062409.html Nike (NYSE: NKE) said its fourth-quarter profit dipped on charges tied to its workforce reduction and other restructuring charges. http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Fitness_financials_Nike_062409.html Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MDT http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Car_crashes_into_Florida_Busy_Body_Gyms_to_Go_store.html The wheels were still spinning on the 2002 Camry when assistant manager Mario Silva emerged from behind the wall that had stopped the car – and no, the store does not offer drive-through shopping nor does it have any plans to. Apparently, the driver felt a drive-through was a good idea as the car smashed through the front glass windows of Busy Body/Gyms to Go in Miami, Fla., around 11 a.m. June 22. http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Car_crashes_into_Florida_Busy_Body_Gyms_to_Go_store.html Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MDT http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Precor_working_with_BusyBody_in_Houston_HEST_future_unknown_2009.html Busy Body in Houston is now fully outfitted with and selling the complete Precor line of equipment, owner Stan Terry Jr. has confirmed. HEST Fitness ownership has not returned numerous calls and emails by SNEWS to confirm whether this indicates its stores will continue to be Precor dealers in its various remaining Texas markets, although Precor normally operates exclusively with its customers in their markets. http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Precor_working_with_BusyBody_in_Houston_HEST_future_unknown_2009.html Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MDT http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Fitness_financials_Finish_Line_062209.html Finish Line said it's severing ties with the underperforming Man Alive operations. It also reported that it expects a first-quarter loss from continuing operations. http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Fitness_financials_Finish_Line_062209.html Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MDT http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Free_NSGA_retail_seminars_stress_thriving_in_economy_Jun2009.html Especially in today's economy, retailers can use every opportunity to fill their war chest with information that will help them do better business -- getting it for free makes it even better. The first in a series of regional retail education seminars by National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) will be June 30 in the Chicago area, aptly titled, "How to survive and thrive in today's economy." http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Free_NSGA_retail_seminars_stress_thriving_in_economy_Jun2009.html Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MDT http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Business_likely_through_year_for_bankrupt_Karstadt_Jun2009.html After declaring bankruptcy June 10, things have only gotten worse for the venerable German retailer Karstadt, which was forced into the action when the German government declined to give it a bailout with a loan guarantee of EUR 650 million (USD $902 million). http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Business_likely_through_year_for_bankrupt_Karstadt_Jun2009.html Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MDT http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Rethinking_Retail_Appalachian_Ski_Outdoors_and_BGI_Fitness_2009.html If you're looking to add a little buzz to your store's community vibe and a bit of kick to your bottom line, you might do well to start focusing on the ladies. As two retailers SNEWS® recently chatted with have found, when it is ladies' night, the feeling's right and it makes for quite a night -- with apologies to Kool & the Gang, naturally. Both Pennsylvania's Appalachian Ski & Outdoors and Bicycle Garage Indy (BGI Fitness) have attracted sell-out crowds to women's-only events that offer education, seminars and networking. http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Rethinking_Retail_Appalachian_Ski_Outdoors_and_BGI_Fitness_2009.html Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MDT http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Fitness_financials_Amer_Sports_061709.html Amer Sports, parent of Precor, said its full-year outlook is "clouded by the uncertainty in consumer demand in general." It noted that profitability in 2009 is affected by the challenging market conditions, particularly in the United States and for the fitness segment. http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Fitness_financials_Amer_Sports_061709.html Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MDT http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/SNEWS_Mini-Survey_stores_view_customer_buying.html The SNEWS® Mini Survey that ended June 15, 2009 asked, “What do you feel most motivates your customers to buy from your store?” We asked retailers to select from a list of 20 categories the top five motivating factors they believed drove customers to buy from them and not elsewhere. We were happy to see that 85 percent chose “customer service.” http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/SNEWS_Mini-Survey_stores_view_customer_buying.html Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MDT http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Busy_Body_Fitness_Center_in_Florida_to_open_Jun2009.html Expanding its Southeastern brand of retail, Busy Body/Gyms To Go is as of June 11 running what may be the first of several Busy Body Fitness Centers. Carlos Vazquez, president of Pompano Beach, Fla.-based, Busy Body/Gyms To Go, told SNEWS® his company has taken over a 25,000-square-foot former Gold's Gym in Boca Raton. "Diversity is the way to be," Vazquez said. http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Busy_Body_Fitness_Center_in_Florida_to_open_Jun2009.html Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MDT http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Fitness_financials_adidas_061509.html adidas said it is focusing on restructuring Reebok, and Sport Chalet topped the list of "biggest percentage price gainers" among common stocks on the Nasdaq Stock Market. http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Fitness_financials_adidas_061509.html Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MDT