by The Editors on January 24, 2009
As if all the rumors we’re enough, Quiksilver was just cited by the US Department of Labor (along with six other stores) for having teenagers “operating machines that could hurt them” in The Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens, according to a story in the Sun Sentinel.
In all, investigators found 50 teenagers whose jobs included working with trash compactors, paper balers and similar equipment — violations of the youth employment portion of the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Department of Labor said. Paper balers help bundle used cardboard boxes for disposal or recycling. The machinery is considered hazardous; the law bars those under 18 from operating it. . . The seven stores cited face civil penalties with a combined total of $53,271.
Government regulations are going to kill us all, aren’t they John Galt?
[Link: Sun Sentinel]
by The Editors on January 23, 2009
The San Diego Union-Tribune is holding no punches in its coverage of the January 2009 ASR Show.
In a story filled with words like “struggling” and “tough” and “worst” writer Jennifer Davies talked to many industry players and got nothing but bad news from nearly everyone.
“There is no immunity idol on this island,” said Doug Palladini, vice president of marketing at Vans, referring to the “Survivor” television show. “It can happen to anybody.”
Doug is always so poetic, isn’t he? ASR spokesperson Lora Bodmer on the other hand was alone with her glimmer of positivity. “We looked out over the show and said, ‘Hey, this isn’t so bad,’ ” she said.
And that’s kind of what we thought at first, but after walking the isles on day one and seeing that zombie “God, I hope I don’t get fired tomorrow” look in everyone’s eyes we’re not so sure anymore. While watching toilet seat tossing at the Vee-Haw Volcom booth we couldn’t help but think of them as a bunch of oblivious Hillbillies fiddling away on their out-of-tune banjos while flames licked at the cuffs of their overalls.
[Link: San Deigo Union-Tribune]
by The Editors on January 23, 2009
Billabong newest retail outpost is in the Singapore Changi Airport’s terminal three in partnership with Travel retailer Lagardère Services Asia Pacific, according to a story on DFNIonline.com. Jason Neely, Billabong’s retail ops manager had this to say:
Billabong is focused on building its presence in Asia and the opening in Singapore of the world’s first Billabong airport store illustrates the brand’s commitment to the region. This is a significant move for Billabong so it is comforting to be working with LSAP, one of the world’s leading airport retail operators. We feel the combination of a world leading retailer and a world leading brand will add an exciting new dimension to the Changi airport retail mix.”
People who can afford to fly must have money, right?
[Link: DFNIonline.com]
by The Editors on January 23, 2009
The Captain and Casey’s Chris Casey with the beautiful am babies award presenters. Diapers never looked so good.
We hung out for a little while after the show before “getting the hell out of there.” Photos from some after-show festivities including the Grind For Life High Ollie Contest and The Am Awards after the jump.
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by The Editors on January 22, 2009
We’re not saying that this is all of the January ASR Show, but it certainly is most of it. The space felt really small, but the mood was actually up considering the economy. It may not look like it, but there were quite a few people in the isles.
Follow the jump to view more photos from the floor the morning of day one.
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by The Editors on January 20, 2009
In an effort to cut costs, Quiksilver released info today that it was reducing the salaries of top executives by five percent, according to a story on Reuters.
The current reductions, effective Feb. 1, are in addition to earlier pay cuts implemented in February last year, the company said in a regulatory filing dated Jan. 20. . . .Annual base salaries for the chief financial officer and the chief administrative officer have gone down by 8 percent and 10 percent respectively.
Damn shame. CEO Bob McKnight’s salary is now down 16 percent meaning he’s only going to make $903,000 this year. Hopefully, he can make it through.
[Link: Reuters]
by The Editors on January 20, 2009
Dave Gatto is leaving VF Corporation as part of a reorganization according to a story in the News Record.
VF said its Outdoor Americas unit will include the North Face, JanSport and Eagle Creek brands. It will be overseen by Steve Rendle, 49, currently president of The North Face. . . . The second unit, action sports Americas, will include Vans and Reef brands. It will be led by current Vans president Stephen Murray, 48.
Wonder if this is in preparation for any footwear acquisitions.
[Link: News Record]
by The Editors on January 16, 2009
We don’t know exactly what “junk territory” means out on “the street” but we’re guessing this probably isn’t good news.
Moody’s downgraded retailer Quiksilver Inc. deeper into junk territory Thursday, saying the chain’s weak fourth-quarter performance and reliance on short-term debt makes it especially vulnerable as consumers cut spending.
Then again we always remember what Bob McKnight’s once said: “Analysts: there’s only one letter separating them from what they really are.”
[Link: MSNBC.com]
by The Editors on January 16, 2009
K2 Sports has purchased Zoot, the Kona, Hawaii based maker of triathlon apparel according to a story on Bicycle Retailer.
“We are excited to welcome Zoot to our family,” said Robert Marcovitch, chief executive officer of K2 Sports. “Zoot is a fast-growing brand whose shared dedication to innovation and quality make them a terrific fit for us and we look forward to their continued growth and expansion into new product categories and geographies.”
Apparently, this is another attempt by a seasonal company to break into a opposite season market. Maybe this one will work.
[Link: Bicycle Retailer]
by The Editors on January 15, 2009
Kr3w’s party photos (by Shad [click the link for Lizard’s broken nose photos]) from the Zumiez $100k at Keystone, Colorado would suggest that no matter what else may be going on, the Zumiez kids are still selling a shit-load of product. . . and the girls are still stoked on Lizard King and TK.
[Link: Kr3w]
As if all the rumors we’re enough, Quiksilver was just cited by the US Department of Labor (along with six other stores) for having teenagers “operating machines that could hurt them” in The Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens, according to a story in the Sun Sentinel.
