by The Editors on October 27, 2008
Hard to believe that no one had patented this idea before, but they didn’t. Volcom did. Now with Zip-Tech Volcom pants and jackets with powder skirts can zip together to keep snow out of ass cracks around the world.
Zip-Tech is a Volcom exclusive feature that allows you to zip the powder skirt of your jacket to your pants – a simple idea that makes a world of difference. This feature will keep you dry and warm on a deep powder day and will keep away that mean ice burn during a slushy spring session.
Or you could just wear a one-piece. . .
by The Editors on October 24, 2008
These are the kinds of stories we wish we had time to do. Sneaker Freaker presents a 19 page online story on the history of Vans straight the mouth of Steve Van Doren (including insightful family photos). And no matter what the Vans marketing department does or doesn’t do, we still love the shoes and the man.
[Link: Sneaker Freaker via Skateboardworks]
by The Editors on October 20, 2008
Earlier today reports of Miami-based action sports mall retailer Adrenalina putting out a $293 million buyout out offer to Pacific Sunwear have now turned into stories of the whole deal being tabled according to a report on Just-style.com.
Original reports quoted Adrenalina CEO Ilia Lekach saying the following:
This action represents our confidence that Adrenalina can reinvigorate PacSun – a powerful brand name whose underlying retail concept has grown stale – by applying our innovative approach of fusing an exceptional product mix to an exciting entertainment destination,” Lekach said in a news release.
The Motley Fool has already called bullshit on the deal.
While the surf-and-skatewear company could use a lift — its stock is off about 80% from its 52-week high — this looks like little more than a publicity stunt or a bid to boost Adrenalina’s own stock price. That’s because its chairman and CEO is Ilia Lekach, who has a rich history of playing such games.
Adrenalina stock got a 40 percent bounce this morning all the way up to $1.70. So maybe the offer was enough.
[Link: Just-Style and Business Journal and The Motley Fool]
by The Editors on October 10, 2008
One of the green tickers up in the right hand corner this afternoon was Volcom even though it took what the Orange County Business Journal called “a wild ride” today. They’re saying VeeCo closed this Friday up because of a report by an analyst who said:
Volcom is in a position of strength boasting a balance sheet with no debt, approximately $80 million in cash and clean inventory levels,” Gallacher wrote. “While orders are weak from a shrinking addressable market, Volcom is one brand that continues to gain market share.”
Then again, the only companies in the space to not finish up today were PacSun, Billabong, and Globe. So maybe it had more to do with the market than with what Caris & Co. analyst Claire Gallacher had to say about it.
[Link: Orange County Business Journal]
by The Editors on October 10, 2008
Tomorrow night is the kick off for Quiksilver’s SiteLA We Ride The Night exhibit which artistically celebrates bicycling in LA.
Ride on over to Quiksilver siteLA Saturday, October 11th, 6-9pm for the “We Ride By Night” opening reception. Special musical performances by Super Karma and Telemetique with dj sets by Laundromat United. Also, burritos will be provided with donation to The Burrito Project.
This party is being thrown by a group of women that Fast Company called Quiksilver’s Spice Girls in their September profile on companyss artmercial project for women.
Sadly, this party is during the Vans Downtown Showdown at Paramount Studio so we doubt we’ll make it over.
[Link: Streetsblog LA]
by The Editors on October 10, 2008
With the markets crashing, what better time for companies to invest in themselves. This appears to be the rationale of the Nike board of directors as they approved a four year plan to buy back $5 billion in Nike common stock.
We are pleased to extend Nike’s track record of returning value to shareholders through sustained share repurchases,” said Mark Parker, NIKE, Inc. President and CEO. “Over the past 10 years, NIKE, Inc. has returned $5.5 billion to shareholders through the repurchase of more than 157 million shares. This new share repurchase program demonstrates our continued confidence in Nike’s long-term growth prospects and financial strength.
[Link: Business Wire]
by The Editors on October 10, 2008
Falling stocks really aren’t news these days, but we still have fun looking at the charts like this one from Quiksilver’s last year. With it’s $2.79 price today Quik has hit its lowest stock price since 1998.
We hate to admit it, but even to us it’s beginning to look like a bargain.
[Link: Yahoo! Finance]
by The Editors on October 9, 2008
This afternoon at around 12:50 PM Zumiez stock broke through it’s previous 52-week low ($11.85 in July 08) to $11.55 and it appears the bottom has not been reached thanks to reports yesterday of a less than stellar September.
Interestingly, Zumiez’s number two competitor in the malls of America, The Buckle, was up $1.19 today to $49.14.
by The Editors on October 8, 2008
America’s core sports mall store Zumiez reported their same store sales were down 9 percent in September according to a story on Forbes.com.
The Everett-based retailer said its same-store sales results were dragged down by poor performance California, Arizona, Florida and Nevada – areas that are among the hardest hit by the nation’s housing market meltdown.
The good news is that net sales were up over last year to $33.6 million. Guess that’s what happens when you keep adding more stores.
[Link: Forbes.com]
by The Editors on October 8, 2008
Wachovia is no longer hyped on Pacific Sunwear. So they’ve knocked the mall retailer down a notch from Outperform to Market Perform
Until now, our thesis had been predicated on improvements in merchandising, coupled with new operating efficiencies. However, we believe the assortment is losing focus, evidenced by too much color overall and an overinvestment in the weak-trending fleece category.
It’s kind of laughable that Wachovia would have any opinions about the market when they can’t even run their own business. But they’re still giving the stock a valuation range of $5-6. PSUN is now trading at $4.98.
[Link: StreetInsider.com]
