On February 7, 2014, GoPro, Inc. announced that it had plans to go public. The rules for filing for a confidential IPO under the JOBS Act means that a company must have less than a $1 billion in sales. So, apparently they are not quite a $1 billion company yet, but they have done extremely […]
Author: Ryley Bane
Retail Round-Up: Zumiez Net Sales Down 24.3%: Gap Closes Design Studio; Billabong Looks Into Selling Swell
The struggles rippling through fashion retail are resulting in many changes for brands, especially those in action sports, denim, and sportswear. Zumiez’s January financial reports released February 5, 2014 record a net sales decrease of 24.3% to $38.1 million from $50.3 million last year within the same five week period. Comparable store sales are down […]
Bonfire Snowboarding Turns 25 and Still Burning Hot: Brings Back the Fireman Parka, Launches Collab with Fourstar
Premium snowboard outwear brand Bonfire celebrated their 25th Anniversary at the SIA Snow Show last week in Denver, CO. The brand, which was one of the first to incorporate a street-sensibility and artistic lifestyle element into snowboarding can also claim durability and quality to their pants and jackets, as attested by many riders who wear […]
H & M Up 9% and Reports Strong Response to &Other Brands, Sportswear Collection, and U.S. Online Sales
Fast-fashion retailer and brand H&M, based out of Sweden has released their year-end financials which show a strong response to several different factors. First, H&M’s Group sales were up by 9% during the financial year and 356 new stores were added, predominately in China and the USA. As our youth culture studies show, H&M is […]
Retail Round-up: Hawk Designs Sold for $19 Million; Macy’s Massive Lay-offs; Uniqlo On Among Youth Culture
Fashion retail has been a roller coaster for the past few years, but over holiday season, we again see how some brands are able to capture a new marketplace and others continue to streamline in the wake of economic uncertainty. First, as Quiksilver announced several months ago, they continue to focus efforts on their core […]
Capsule Bought by Reed Exhibitions, Owners of Agenda
The fashion trade show season is about to get underway with a variety of top shows starting this week, including Agenda in Long Beach on Tuesday-Wednesday, January 7-8, 2014, Bread and Butter in Berlin, and the upcoming Vegas shows in February. It’s an exciting time for major transitions to the trade shows, including new owners […]
Surf Expo Purchased by Outdoor Retailer Trade Show Owners for $335 Million
The owners of Surf Expo, George Management LLC, has been purchased for $335 million by Emerald Expositions Inc. owners of Outdoor Retailer trade show. Interestingly, in the on-going evolution of trade shows, outdoor and surf have grown closer, especially a seen at the summer OR shows where several surf brands have been exhibiting and participating […]
Retail Round-up: H&M Sales Up 21%; True Religion’s Massive Lay-offs; Abercrombie To Offer Larger Sizes
Teen fashion retail has been on a roller coaster ride of economic turmoil these past few months and the holiday season hasn’t been any less smooth. Beleaguered Abercrombie which hasn’t had a profitable month in months, and recently reported Q3 profits down 68.3% continues to get hit with brand backlash, including Change.org who launched a […]
Brand Round-up: Lululemon Names Laurent Potdevin as CEO, Formerly President of TOMS Shoes and CEO of Burton Snowboard; Lucky Brand Jeans Sold
Lululemon announced a new CEO on Tuesday, December 10, 2013 Laurent Potdevin,who was previously the President of TOMS Shows and before that, CEO of Burton Snowboards. In a video introduction, Potdevin describes how he plans to position the brand for global expansion. Lululemon has been dealing with brand backlash from its loyal fans ever since […]
Dismal Q3 Report for American Eagle Outfitters, Indicative of a Changing Teen Retail Landscape
American Eagle Outfitters reported their Q3 finances December 6, 2013, with dismal results of a drop in profits of 68.3%. Like many teen retailers facing a challenging economic climate and out of tune with the youth marketplace, American Eagle is struggling to figure out what to do. Robert Hanson, CEO stated, “Our financial performance is […]