by The Editors on July 16, 2008
Here’s a car that’s got action sports written all over it. It’s a tiny, two-wheel drive Renault Clio that features, “special touches include specific upholstery sporting the Rip Curl logo, a chrome centre console, exclusive Rip Curl sills and specific rubber floor mats, as well as a sand- and snow-proof compartmented stowage box in the boot.” Because there’s nothing worse that getting sand or snow in your Clio.
Buoyed by the sale of 30,000 Clio by Rip Curls in more than 20 countries in 2007, Renault is looking to build on its successful partnership with the well known surfing and snowboarding brand Rip Curl with the release of Clio by Rip Curl 2008. . . . Available in three- and five-door form, this limited edition is both dynamic andtrendy and promises to appeal thanks to the potential it offers for customization and a list of specific equipment tailored for those who enjoy winter and watersports.
Only in France (and 20 other confused countries, apparently).
[Link: The Auto Channel]
by The Editors on July 14, 2008
Every time we read notes from the analysts we’re haunted by something Bob McKnight said, “Analysts are just one letter away.” So with that, here’s what Piper Jaffray is saying about Zumiez.
We are upgrading ZUMZ from Neutral to Buy given our belief that shares have over corrected based on current macroeconomic concerns, irrespective of underlying med- to long-term fundamental growth potential. We believe ZUMZ occupies a unique market niche in the active lifestyle category where demand trends remain relatively firm, evidenced by continued above average comp sales growth rates relative to the peer group. At 300 stores, ZUMZ maintains 20%-plus sq ft growth potential for at least 3-4 years and while we are revising estimates downward and new store contribution remains inferior to historic levels, we think shares reflect these risks.”
If we bought action sports stocks, we’d think about it. What with fashion retail being so hot these days.
[Link: Street Insider]
by The Editors on July 10, 2008
by The Editors on July 9, 2008
Steve & Barry’s LLC, the 276-store Port Washington, NY-based clothing chain that recently signed a clothing deal with big wave surfer Laird Hamilton, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection today according to a story on NBCSanDiego.com.
The company announced that it was considering a plan to sell all or some of its assets to repay outstanding debt, and was eliminating 172 corporate and field staff positions immediately. The parent company and 63 of its affiliates filed for protection from its creditors in the U.S. bankruptcy court for the Southern District of New York. . . .”The generally poor environment for apparel retailers has reduced funding to our suppliers, landlords and to our company,” Steve Shore and Barry Prevor, co-founders and co-CEOs, said in a statement. “It has become increasingly difficult for us to continue operating normally under these circumstances.”
Somehow, we’re not surprised.
[Link: NBCSanDiego.com]
by The Editors on July 9, 2008
In a pre-recorded call today Zumiez Inc reported a “wider-than-expected 3.4 percent fall in June sales at stores open at least a year.” This sent the stock down eight percent.
Footwear and skate hard goods posted positive comps for the month, offset by negative comps in accessories, juniors, men’s and boys apparel,” Zumiez CFO Trevor Lang said in a pre-recorded call.
The good news: total sales were up 10.2 percent to $34.7 million.
[Link: Reuters]
by The Editors on July 8, 2008
by The Editors on July 7, 2008
Okay, we’ll admit it: we don’t even understand what Insight (or US CEO Jesse Faen) is doing here with this Dopamine business, but the new series of ad/art surf posters by Dustin Humphrey and skate posters by John Bradford are definitely not your average action/product/logo ads. Leave it to Mr. Faen to breathe some life into the dead print medium.
[Link: Insight via slamhype]
by The Editors on July 7, 2008
Shaun White’s “for Target” Collection drops on July 27, 2008. Shoppers will have 90 days to buy the clothes before they magically disappear. As might be expected from an action sports athlete who is being paid outrageous amounts of money Shaun is happy with his sponsor:
“Target is a great company that has been supporting me for almost six years. Having the opportunity to create an original line with them is a natural progression of our relationship and something that I was extremely stoked to do. The fact that I was able to work with my brother just made it even sweeter,” said Shaun.
Sweetness, right on Target.
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by The Editors on July 7, 2008
The Inland Emprie’s Press Enterprise takes a look into mixed martial arts clothing label Tapout. And what they find is a company that is crazy on the climb. Not that it comes as any surprise to anyone selling logoed T-shirts.
The privately held company reports that sales surpassed $25 million last year and are on track to hit $100 million this year. TapouT is now a major sponsor of fight events and reality shows produced for the cable network Spike TV by Ultimate Fighting Championship — a Las Vegas-based promoter better known as UFC.
They have a TV show, and thanks to a Hollywood-agency representation and product licensing they’ll be launching Tapout bottled water and energy drinks and is “considering lending its name to youth bedroom furniture.”
It must be nice to have no shame.
[Link: Press-Enterprise]
by The Editors on July 6, 2008
Laird Hamilton will apparently be helping roll out a significantly more upscale line of clothing to the US market on July 20, 2008 as Oxbow opens it’s first store at 131 Broadway in Santa Monica.
Oxbow has sponsored me for almost 20 years: from my first experimentations with speed sailing in Europe and tow-in surfing in Maui in 1990 to the millennium wave in Teahupoo in 2001, and today, I am very proud to be associated with the launch of Oxbow in the US,” explains Laird Hamilton.
Which is great because his recent “more affordable” line of clothing isn’t doing so well.
[Link: Surfer’s Path]
