by The Editors on April 26, 2016
Billabong’s retails stores have apparently gotten so far removed from being actual surf shops that they’ve been forced to hire a company called Mood Media (formerly known as Musak) to “develop a sound and scent” strategy to help their retails stores smell more authentic, according to a story on SportsOneSource.
The Mood team, in partnership with ScentAir, created a tailored scent solution for the Billabong stores as part of the new strategy. A fragrance called “Sex Wax,” based on the well-known surfboard wax brand, was developed to help customers experience the essence of the Billabong brand. . . “We are delighted to help Billabong create a bespoke in-store experience for its customers. By developing a new sound design and fragrance with Mood, Billabong can now plunge guests into an immersive experience based on our unique technology and creative solutions,” said Linda Ralph, International VP of Business Development at Mood.
It should be mentioned that this is a story we would have made up for April Fools Day had we cared enough about Billabong retail stores to make fun of them. Seriously, can action retail get any sadder than this?
[Link: SportsOneSource]
by The Editors on April 16, 2016
Sport Chalet, SoCal moms’ favorite action sporting, big box chain store, is calling it quits after 57 years in business. But they’re not going to try and restructure like PacSun, or Quiksilver. No, they’ve turned off their online store and are shutting down each and every one of their 47 locations, according to a story in the Los Angeles Times.
The chain has 40 stores in California, mainly in the Southland, according to the website. It also operates five stores in Arizona and two in Las Vegas. The company didn’t say how many people would be losing their jobs, but as of March 30, 2014, the chain employed 1,200 full-time workers and 1,600 part-timers. . . At the Sport Chalet in downtown Los Angeles, the signs in windows of the black-and-white facade told of the chain’s fate. “Everything must go,” they stated. “All Sales are Final No Returns.”
The chain reportedly hadn’t made a profit since 2007 and was apparently $52 million in debt when it was sold in 2014 for $17 million. Blame Target and those dastardly online discounters.
Surprisingly, if you’re looking for cheap camping gear for a summer road trip, you should definitely look elsewhere. There are no deals at Sport Chalet. According to one store employee, “The liquidation company came in and took over the pricing,” he said. “We have no control over anything” Meaning, most everything in the store is now more expensive than it was before the closing announcement.
[Link: LA Times]
by The Editors on April 9, 2016
After nearly a decade of losing money Pacific Sunwear of California has finally filed for bankruptcy protection according to a story on Reuters.com.
Citing “significant and unusual trading,” lawyers for the retailer asked a judge to restrict trading on Thursday due to concerns that a significant change in ownership could impair its ability to use tax benefits on operating losses down the road. . . Founded in 1982 as a surf shop, PacSun has posted an annual net loss since the financial crisis hit in 2008.
In what has become standard practice, the company is hoping to hand off all its debt then go private with Golden Gate Capital where the new owners can run the whole game over again in a portfolio that includes Eddie Bauer, California Pizza Kitchen, Red Lobster, and J.Jill.
For a more informed discussion of the topic click here for Jeff Harbaugh’s take.
[Link: Reuters]
by The Editors on January 6, 2016
Twenty-year-old Jonathan Douglin is dead after being stabbed during an altercation during a party at the EightSixty Custom skateboard shop in Hartford, Connecticut, according to a story in the Hartford Courant.
Two witnesses told Hartford detectives that they were at a New Year’s party at EightSixty Custom, a skateboard shop and indoor skateboard park at 41 Francis Ave., when Douglin accidentally bumped into Tequile Walwyn, 19, according to the warrant for Walwyn’s arrest. It was during the shoving match that followed that Walwyn thrust a knife into Douglin’s chest, puncturing his heart, according to the warrant. . . A friend of Walwyn told police that after the confrontation, Walwyn had a green folding knife and said to him, “I had no choice. I had to poke him.”
Gotta wonder about a kid who brings a knife to a New Year’s Eve party.
by The Editors on December 17, 2015
Nixon announced today (December 17, 2015) the opening of their first New York City retail location on Prince St., right in the heart of Soho.
Built with award-winning design features, the SoHo location will bring to life the brand’s action sports heritage. The store will showcase Nixon’s signature watch table: featuring open-merchandising of watches in the shape of an undulating wave. The watch table invites consumers to try on and experience product first hand. Anchoring the store is Nixon’s customization bar, which allows customers the opportunity to create one-of-a-kind watches. The new space will also give Nixon the opportunity to spotlight its limited-edition offerings, including its new automatic, Swiss-made RSVP collection.
Nixon SoHo is located at 122 Prince Street, between Wooster and Greene Street, and is open daily from 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday – Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays. The shop can be reached at 917.262.0560.
[click to continue…]
by The Editors on November 19, 2015
After a Cowtown Skateboards shop manager asked a disruptive woman to leave their Tempe, Arizona location on November 14, 2015 she returned with a knife and began waving it the manager, according to a story in the State Press.
Although the woman left the store, she returned to stand in front of the business only to continue being loud and was told to leave once again, police reported. . . The woman presented a knife in a stabbing gesture with the sharp edge pointed toward the manager, according to the report. The manager believed he would be stabbed by the woman and held a skateboard in front of himself for defense, police reported.
Luckily, no one was hurt and the woman was booked into the Tempe City Jail on “aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal trespassing and disorderly conduct” charges.
[Link: State Press]
by The Editors on May 15, 2015
Forget about paying full price for your new Burton Snowboard gear next fall. This summer (while you’re partying in a urine filled Las Vegas pool) make a run to the Las Vegas Premium Outlet Stores and hit up Burton’s newest company outlet store. It opened yesterday (Thursday, May 14, 2015).
Other new stores now open include AG Adriano Goldschmied, AllSaints, American Eagle Outfitters, Bally, Canali, Catimini, CH Carolina Herrera, Citizen, Clarins, Dunhill, Furla, Helmut Lang, John Varvatos, Pandora, Rag & Bone, Under Armour, Vera Bradley and Vilebrequin.
Hit ’em up. We’re guessing there will be a lot of their new camping gear on sale this summer (if they have any employees left to sell it to you). Not surprisingly, there’s also a new Cheesecake Factory in the same mall. It’s Las Vegas’ fourth.
[Link: LA Times]
by The Editors on April 3, 2015
Eternal Board Shop owner Mike Dunn announced today (April 3, 2015) that after 21 years in business in Sparks, Nevada he’s shutting down, according to a story on KOLOtv.
It used to be pretty popular spot. One of the few locally owned places to get outfitted for winter. . . “The small snow and skateboard shop is maybe a things of the past, maybe a dying breed,” said Mike Dunn, Owner of Eternal Board Shop. “It’s just the lack of snow, mostly on the whole west coast is the biggest reason this year.”
Sad to see another great shop go. It will be greatly missed! Reno shreds can help out by going in and buying something while the shop is still open. For the rest of the story, click the link.
[Link: KOLOtv]
by The Editors on March 20, 2015
Okay, so it’s taken Active Ride Shop a while to truly embrace the digital future, but since they made the effort we might as well welcome them with open arms. Yes, On March 19, 2015 Active launched its first “digital catalog.”
Viewers that click on an Active team rider or brand spotlight within the catalog are brought to the online store where they can see the entire collection and easily make a purchase. Known for providing the best product and service in the skate mail order business, this new digital catalog will compliment Active’s multi-medium mail order business that will still include its classic printed catalog. . . The world has become a very digital and social place in the time since print catalogs and magazines were king. The new Active Ride Shop Spring 15 digital catalog connects with people’s lifestyles through their phones, iPads or computers with social media buttons built into it so readers can easily share the newest signature product, Active Team Rider skate shots and brand features with their friends.
Again, it sounds a lot like what we were telling people in 1996, but then we were a little too far ahead of the curve on that one. Maybe now is the perfect time to jump in. Gotta admit, it’s a pretty smooth way to look at all the gear that’s out for sale right now. Much easier than burrowing through all the brands’ websites. For the official word from Active, please follow the jump.
[Link: Active Ride Shop Catalog] [click to continue…]
by The Editors on February 13, 2015
Nixon is continuing its global retail expansion with stores in Hong Kong and Sydney.
Located in the popular shopping district of LCX on the 3rd floor of Ocean Terminal in Hong Kong and a newly opened Westfield in Sydney’s southside, both new storefronts feature Nixon’s recently introduced Horizon marketing concept. As seen in the newly opened Nixon Paris and Nixon Carnaby locations, the horizon line is a subtle nod to the diverse environments of surfing, snowboarding and skateboarding found within the Nixon landscape. This own able design language is more than a literal interpretation of a horizon line. Rather, it becomes the canvas for the Nixon story, allowing us to showcase our perspective and products in a bold, distinct way.
And that’s what time it is. For the official word from Nixon, please follow the jump. [click to continue…]
