by The Editors on July 22, 2008
Perry Ellis International has just announced signing a licensing agreement with leading European clothing giant TV Mania GMBH and Must International Trading, PTE, Ltd., to resurrect the Gotcha brand in Europe.
George Feldenkreis, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Perry Ellis International, said: “We are very excited about this agreement with TV Mania and Must International Trading. Their knowledge of both the European market and the surf lifestyle make them the ideal partner to re-launch Gotcha in Europe. We look forward to an outstanding partnership.”
Hard to believe anyone is interested is putting more money into this brand (no offense, Michael).
[Link: MarketWatch]
by The Editors on July 21, 2008
Any wonder why core retailers are getting a little more worried everyday with the “vertical integration” sweeping the industry? Here’s more fuel for the fire. Volcom has just “agreed to acquire the retail operations of Laguna Surf & Sport“ including its two locations in Laguna Beach and Aliso Viejo.”
Laguna Surf & Sport has been a landmark on the Southern California surf and skate scene for many years and this acquisition further demonstrates our dedication to core retail and its importance to Volcom,” said Richard Woolcott, chairman and chief executive officer of Volcom. “It’s great to now be more strongly aligned with one of our longest standing accounts and we look forward to working together even more closely in the years to come.”
Great for Volcom (the stock is up 64 cents on the news), bad for competing Ma and Pa retailers.
[Link: BusinessWire]
by The Editors on July 20, 2008
The Independent’s Josh Sims checks in with Van’s BBQ man Steve Van Doren for the background on “how Vans became a global shoe brand.
What began as a mom-and-pop operation – Paul Van Doren worked for a shoe firm for 20 years before launching his own brand, which he sold to just 50 local stores – has become a $870m (£435m) company. But Steve Van Doren stresses that its MO has not changed since it was founded in 1966, and soon became the shoe of choice for skateboard pioneers. Granted, there was the time it tried to become the shoe of choice for wrestlers, skydivers and break-dancers, and almost went bankrupt. “So now we stick with just being a cool, native southern Californian youth-culture brand. California is the home of action sports and if we were as big around the globe as we are there, we’d be the biggest shoe brand in the world,” says Van Doren, wearing a Hawaiian shirt, denims and, of course, the family firm’s product.
It’s the same story we’ve heard over and over again, but we never get tired of hearing it. And anyone whose seen our closet would know exactly why we feel this way.
[Link: The Independent, photo: New York Times]
by The Editors on July 20, 2008
She’s always been our idea of what a model surfer should be: strong, tough, smart, and a rockin’ surfer. Now, it looks like the LA Times has discovered that there is more to Erica Hosseini “than meets the eye.”
As a player on the surfing scene, Hosseini has become part of the $7.5-billion surfing apparel industry — dominated by brands such as Quiksilver, Roxy, Hurley and O’Neill — which sells the lifestyle and vibe surrounding surfing just as aggressively as the sport itself. The appeal is based in no small part on women like Hosseini, who represent the fun, breezy and stylish aspects of the wave-riding lifestyle. . . “I love modeling,” Hosseini says. “My sponsors have been able to advertise me in not just a surf-action kind of way but also in a more all-around way,” she says, “and I’ve benefited from that. I’m super grateful.”
Yeah, behind hot always helps, doesn’t it?
[Link: LA Times]
by The Editors on July 18, 2008
Taking a bigger step into high fashion Hurley International has signed up “Leonardo DiCaprio’s main squeeze” Bar Refaeli for a new campaign.
She will appear for the brand’s spring 2009 runway show as part of Los Angeles Fashion Week in October. Refaeli, 23, might even lend a hand in designing some of Hurley’s collections. “Anyone can hire a model,” said Lyndsey Roach, Hurley’s vice president of marketing for the young contemporary division. “We wanted to do something different. She lives this lifestyle.”
Yep, we’re thinking Refaeli’s assets ought to move some units for the H.
[Link: Women’s Wear Daily]
by The Editors on July 18, 2008
Forbes Magazine just did a story on supermodels who were also business moguls and in there with the Klums, Banks, and Mosses was Erin Wasson who has “signed a lucrative deal with skating and surfing apparel company RVCA for an eponymous line of beach-inspired women’s apparel to be sold in stores in 2009.”
[Link: Forbes.com]
by The Editors on July 18, 2008
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
Perry Ellis International has just announced signing a licensing agreement with leading European clothing giant TV Mania GMBH and Must International Trading, PTE, Ltd., to resurrect the Gotcha brand in Europe.
