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Article Thumbnail November retail, outdoor, online sales rise; NRF raises forecast
Dec 26, 2011
A strong Black Friday and brisk holiday shopping fueled overall retail sales up 4.5 percent for November 2011, while outdoor retail sales jumped 9 percent. Online sales are up 15 percent so far this season. SNEWS has the latest figures from NRF, Leisure Trends and ComScore.
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Article Thumbnail Gramicci leverages Haggar to lower prices on fall 2012 products, predicts consumers will reduce spending
Dec 21, 2011
At a time when numerous outdoor brands are signaling higher prices ahead amidst rising raw material, labor and transportation costs, Gramicci is announcing a contrarian strategy to lower its prices for fall 2012. SNEWS has the first details in an interview with Gramicci President Marty Weening.
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Some fitness retailers see opportunities to add stores heading into 2012
Dec 16, 2011
Looking to capitalize on a hopefully more optimistic U.S. consumer, holiday-season sales, and opportunistic real estate deals, a number of fitness retailers have increased their storefront footprint as 2011 draws to a close. SNEWS has the details on which retailers are growing.
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Article Thumbnail Forecasters: U.S. economy to grow modestly in 2012 led by business spending
Nov 25, 2011
The U.S. economy will grow in 2012 with an unlikely chance of another recession or high inflation, a group of forecasters with the National Association for Business Economics said in a report released just as the holiday shopping season kicks into gear.
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Article Thumbnail Outdoor consumers taking on price increases, gradually
Oct 31, 2011
Despite economic jitters, shoppers are paying more for their outdoor goods. SNEWS dissects the data, plus the best performing categories, and how long retailers think consumers can keep up the spending.
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The upward trend in retail sales figures might not last
Jun 8, 2011
National retail sales figures – and those in the fitness, wintersports and outdoor industries – are up, but some are concerned that the trend might not last.
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Article Thumbnail Oil, metal inflation play 'heavier' role in hard goods' costs
Apr 22, 2011
SNEWS takes a look at inflation pressures on fitness, outdoor and wintersports hard goods. Unlike inflating apparel costs, which we covered in March, rising oil and metal prices play literally a heavier role for hard goods.
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Article Thumbnail FitBiz by SNEWS retail report 2011: Looking better, but it ain’t ‘kittens and lollipops’ yet
Apr 15, 2011
From dismal to hopeful to “cautiously optimistic.” That’s been the progression in the last three years among retailers in our annual FitBiz special report by SNEWS® that covers the state of specialty retail. Take a look here to see how the industry has changed in the last year, including our special charts delineating numbers and status.
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Article Thumbnail Outdoor, sports apparel seeing first signs of inflation
Mar 4, 2011
Surging cotton prices are putting pressure on polyester and other man-made fibers used in the outdoor and fitness apparel industry. That’s leading to hints of higher wholesale and retail prices ahead as manufacturers fend off the increased input costs, along with higher labor and oil prices. Retailers aren’t surprised. Will their consumers take it?
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Article Thumbnail Europe’s sports segments continued boom in 2010, but 2011 off to slow start
Mar 2, 2011
From skis and boots to outdoor and fitness, sports segments across the board in Europe seem to have had a banner year in 2010, although 2011 isn’t off to such a hot start. SNEWS read the German reports, listened to the experts, and has the info on what’s hot and what’s not.
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Products and Trends
Industry News Releases
Grassroots Outdoor Alliance Welcomes Icebreaker as a Vendor Partner
Dec 22, 2011
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Jetboil Expands Management Team
Dec 22, 2011
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Switch Vision Joins 2012 East Coast Adventure Racing Series
Dec 22, 2011
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BioLogic Helps Social Networking Cyclists Track Data on the Go
Dec 21, 2011
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Liberty Mountain Joins Grassroots Outdoor Alliance as Vendor Partner
Dec 21, 2011
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National Ski Patrol makes branding move to unify divisions and patrols
Dec 21, 2011
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SNEWS Headlines
November retail, outdoor, online sales rise; NRF raises forecast
Dec 26, 2011
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Mountain travel bookings continue uphill surge
Dec 22, 2011
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Gramicci leverages Haggar to lower prices on fall 2012 products, predicts consumers will reduce spending
Dec 21, 2011
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