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 17:00:02 -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/Power_Players_Lounge_Opportunity_knocks_do_you_hear.html Each week, through the end of October 2009, a new column will be posted to the Power Players' Lounge. It's intended to be a place where our industry friends can gather to read and hopefully discuss ideas for improving business -- especially important during these challenging economic times. We encourage you to interact with others while hanging out in the Power Players' Lounge and it's our hope their columns will inspire imagination and debate. http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Power_Players_Lounge_Opportunity_knocks_do_you_hear.html Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MDT http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/WS_endurance_run_observations_blog.html "I was hanging out helping brain-dead runners summit the Devil’s Thumb climb in the Western States 100 last Saturday, June 27. It’s a nasty, rocky, 1,500 foot climb over 1.8 miles that comes for most in the hottest part of the day. And it was pretty hot, dry and dusty last weekend. As I escorted runner after runner from the top to the medical aid weigh-in, got their bottles and packs refilled, and made sure they were in OK shape for the remaining 52.2 miles, I found myself taking a look at the apparel, gear, food and product they all had. OK, SNEWS® is sick. We are always looking at brands." http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/WS_endurance_run_observations_blog.html Wed, 01 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/Makoto_Xergame_review.html When the current owners of Makoto USA saw the game that would become Makoto at an arcade in 2002, they immediately realized its potential to provide both physical and mental fitness for anyone, from athletes to the elderly to folks in rehab. The SNEWS® team first saw a Makoto at the Health & Fitness Business show in Denver several years ago and, after playing it (over and over, we must admit), we had to get one for the office. http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Makoto_Xergame_review.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/Outdoor_financials_Sport_Chalet_062909.html For both the fourth quarter and FY 2009, Sport Chalet (Nasdaq: SPCHA and SPCHB) reported decreases in sales as well as a net loss hurt by "macro economic conditions." Plus, Hibbett shares dip after analyst downgrade. http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Outdoor_financials_Sport_Chalet_062909.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/Will_we_be_holding_a_Retailer_of_the_Year_party_09.html Last year, SNEWS® and Backpacker put out a call for nominations seeking the best outdoor retailers in the United States. The response was overwhelming -- but that was 2008. This is 2009 and we are putting out the call for nominations again. Do you think your store is worthy? Do your customers? Will we be holding a customer-appreciation party in your store to celebrate next year? Only if you are nominated because you have to be nominated to win. http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Will_we_be_holding_a_Retailer_of_the_Year_party_09.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/Young_Guns_outdoor_industry_designers_innovative_ideas.html What will outdoor gear look like in the future? Peek into the minds of these designers whose innovative ideas are changing the industry. Originally published in the SNEWS Outdoor Summer '09 magazine, this special web feature includes two additional profiles of designers Tae Kim and Alan Yiu, as well as expanded coverage from each designer -- Hanna Boone, Josh Guyot, Ian Iverson, and Chris Miksovsky -- voicing his or her perspective on the outdoor industry's future. Also, look into the world of Project OR and its influence on student designers in a special added feature. http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Young_Guns_outdoor_industry_designers_innovative_ideas.html Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MDT http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Sleeping_bag_technical_durable_features_reasonable_price.html In the SNEWS Outdoor 2009 Magazine, our coverage of the hardgoods market included a trends and product report on tents and packs debuting for the spring 2010 season. Below, is the latest on the sleeping bags segment that was not included in the magazine. As with tents and backpacks, weight remains a key selling point for sleeping bags. Keep your eyes peeled for new collections, as well as updates to lines that have sold well for the past few years. http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Sleeping_bag_technical_durable_features_reasonable_price.html Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MDT http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/EU_iodine_ban_worries_SNEWS_provides_the_facts.html On June 12 on its own website, and then on June 17 on the SNEWS® website, Steripen posted a news release with the headline, "European Union to Ban Iodine for Use in Disinfecting Drinking Water." It did not take long for SNEWS to begin getting calls and emails wondering about the news and what, if any, impacts this decision might have upon U.S. sales of iodine-based, water-purification products or other chemical treatments. http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/EU_iodine_ban_worries_SNEWS_provides_the_facts.html Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MDT http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/hotel_rooms_at_OR_or_HFB_Travel_House_Services.html If you or anyone at your company booked hotel rooms for either Outdoor Retailer Summer Market or Health & Fitness Business for 2009 using Travel House Services (www.travelhouseservices.com), your room reservations do not exist and you do not yet have hotel rooms for either show -- even though your credit card has likely been charged! http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/hotel_rooms_at_OR_or_HFB_Travel_House_Services.html Fri, 26 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/Power_Players_Lounge_Open_communication_essential.html Today, the 2009 SNEWS Power Players' Lounge opens in SNEWS. Each week, through the end of October 2009, a new column will be posted to the Power Players' Lounge. It's intended to be a place where our industry friends can gather to read and hopefully discuss ideas for improving business -- especially important during these challenging economic times. We encourage you to interact with others while hanging out in the Power Players' Lounge and it's our hope their columns will inspire imagination and debate. Inaugural Power Players' Lounge columnists include: Bill Gamber, Joe Hyer, Jennifer Mull, Brad Werntz, Kristin Carpenter-Ogden, John Sterling, Josh Guyot, Mike Wallenfels, Beaver Theodosakis, and Sally Grimes. http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/Power_Players_Lounge_Open_communication_essential.html Wed, 24 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