by The Editors on October 26, 2009
At Billabong’s annual shareholder’s meeting today CEO Derek O’Neill explained a down year as well as the negative effects of the rising value of the Australian dollar, according to a story in the Sydney Morning Herald.
. . .after-tax profits had dropped more than 13 per cent to $152.8 million last financial year. . . O’Neill said the company’s net profit after tax would decrease by $500,000 for each one cent rise in the monthly average value of the Australian dollar against the US dollar.
For Billabong’s sake let hope the Australian dollars bites down hard in the next few months.
[Link: Sydney Morning Herald]
by The Editors on October 26, 2009
If we owned stock in VF Corp (Vans, Reef, and The North Face’s parent company) we’d be all excited right now about their quarter three numbers. Not because Q3 revenues declined 5 percent (though, that’s pretty good considering). And not because they had a gross margin of 44.3 percent (a near record level). We’d be happy because they’re raising their quarterly dividend for the 37th consecutive quarter.
The Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $.60 per share, an increase of $.01 per share. The dividend is payable on December 18, 2009 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 8, 2009.
We’ve always wondered what would be like to own a stock that paid dividends. Just think: if we owned 5,0000 shares of VFC that would be $3,000 or more than 20 years of World of Warcraft!
Oh, and then there was this:
Global revenues of The North Face® and Vans® brands grew 10% and 4%, respectively, in the quarter on a constant currency basis. Total coalition revenues in our Americas businesses rose 1%, while international revenues were up 4% in constant dollars, led by exceptionally strong growth in Asia. Total direct-to-consumer revenues for our Outdoor and Action Sports coalition rose 17% in the quarter, with double-digit growth in our The North Face®, Vans® and Napapijri®brands.
[Link: Reuters]
by The Editors on October 21, 2009
At about 8:50 PM PST on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 Kareem Campbell tweeted the above message. That’s about all we know, but we can’t say we’re completely uninterested in where this is all going. . .
[Link: @kareemcampbell]
by The Editors on October 20, 2009
We know at least a few people (some competitors) who will be happy to hear that Ricky Irons is leaving the publishing world and moving over to the fashion industry as global brand manager of Dragon Alliance. With the state of action media in general it seems like a pretty smart move on Iron’s part.
Irons is leaving Surfer Magazine after 15 years as publisher. The only person to hold that job longer was Steve Pezman (1970-1991). His last issue as publisher will be the 50th Anniversary Issue. Not a bad way to exit, really.
“Dragon is a great fit for me because they are the real deal,” said Irons. “They have always been true to their roots and have supported the core athletes, retailers, and customers since day one. Their team of athletes is unmatched, the product is better than ever, and they have a great vision for the future of the brand. They are also an independently owned brand, which in this day and age is a beautiful thing. It helps them be creative, innovative, and agile in this ever changing market.”
What does this mean for Surfer and ASG? We’re guessing it means one less mouth to feed.
[Link: Global Surf News]
by The Editors on October 16, 2009
In support of Boarding for Breast Cancer etnies has created a special-edition girls collection that is for sale during October 2009 (Beast Cancer Awareness Month). In stores now a percentage of the proceeds from each item sold will be donated to fund breast cancer awareness and educational programs.
Hooray for boobies etnies. . . follow the jump for more info.
[click to continue…]
by The Editors on October 15, 2009
Normally, we make fun of grown men who wait overnight out front of HUF for some new shoe. But those are Nikes. HUF’s latest is a Vans Old Skool and that’s a completely different story.
The Vans Old Skool by HUF is constructed with a canvas upper and full grain leather heelcup. Featuring a siped outsole, custom printed triangle pattern on the midsole and custom woven labels & embroidery, the Vans Old Skool by HUF is available in black, navy and cardinal red and sells for $85.
Might have to break down and actually buy a pair of these.
[Link: HUF]
by The Editors on October 8, 2009
Word was flowing late last week, but now it’s official. Anon optics is the latest Burton brand to pull up its SoCal stakes and get sucked back to the mothership in Burlington, Vermont.
Under the leadership of anon Vice President of Product, Jeff Gilberti, the transition will be complete by early November and will allow anon to strengthen its focus on its goggle business and invest more in developing and marketing great winter products. anon plans to expand its staff in Vermont with the addition of brand and sales management positions.
Apparently, everything is cheaper in Vermont. . . Follow the jump for the entire press release.
[click to continue…]
by The Editors on October 1, 2009
Dogtown originator C.R. Stecyk III has just designed a blue skies and palm trees version of the Nike Air Max LeBron VII, according to a post on Nice Kicks.
As with previous customized Air Max LeBron VII colorways, this shoe also owns a plethora of qualities that are inspired by James’s life and the respective city. For example, its colors represent the blue skies (side panels) and the rich bronze of the soil in Pueblo (predominance of the upper). Other elements such as palm trees and telephone poles also pay tribute to the city of Los Angeles.
Nike really is the de Medicis of the new age.
[Link: Nice Kicks]
by The Editors on October 1, 2009
Hang Ten is often credited as being the world’s first surf clothing company. Hang Ten’s co-founder Duke Boyd was on San Diego’s KPBS These Days show with the President of the California Surf Museum Jim Kempton yesterday (September 30, 2009).
Among other things Boyd talks about the founding of the company, helping to create the surf clothing industry, and how important advertising in Surfer Magazine was to the success of the brand.
Most of the surf shops at that time didn’t have the money to advertise . . . Dorris [Moore] basically took the plunge and said I’m going to buy an ad and took out a contract for one year . . . our success ran right after that.
It all seemed so simple then, but we know it wasn’t. Listen in to the complete audio interview by clicking the link.
[Link: KPBS]
by The Editors on September 30, 2009
Keith Hufnagel and Hanni El Khatib have created a Huf version of the 80s Converse Skidgrip and they look very friendly.
We wanted to reference the skate and surf vibe of the 1980s and the Skidgrip was a great, authentic foundation,” Hufnagel said.
The shoes will cost $75 a pair, come in sizes 3.5 to 13, and help out the world on the way. A percentage of the net wholesale price of the shoe will reportedly go “to help fight AIDS in Africa.”
At Billabong’s annual shareholder’s meeting today CEO Derek O’Neill explained a down year as well as the negative effects of the rising value of the Australian dollar, according to a story in the Sydney Morning Herald.
