Tag: sportswear

H & M Profits Up 19%; Expands H&M Sport, Footwear, Conscious Denim

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Fast-fashion giant H&M has released their nine months financial reports and increased profits by 19% in their 3rd quarter. This is quite remarkable given the difficult economy, especially when it comes to teen retailers. While Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, and others are struggling to gain the attention it once had from teens, H&M, as our […]

Swimwear Fabrics Moving Sustainable: LYCRA Introduces Bio-Derived Spandex

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Good news for swimwear manufacturers and brands that create anything with LYCRA as owner INVISTA announced last week the launch of a bio-derived spandex. The spandex fiber will come from a renewable source, dextrose, which comes from corn. According to Sustainable Brands, INVISTA, which also produces the COOLMAX®, CORDURA®, STAINMASTER®, ANTRON®, THERMOCOOL® and THERMOLITE® brands, […]

PrAna Purchased by Columbia Sportswear for $190 Million

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As activewear, particularly yogawear, continues to grow among a new generation keen on yoga and wearing sustainable brands, more brands are entering this space and doing well. PrAna, a leader in lifestyle activewear, yogawear, and sustainability, announced on April 29, 2014, the acquisition by Columbia Sportswear Company for $190 million. Columbia, which also owns Mountain […]

Liberty Fairs Brings Intelligent Style, Leading-edge Denim, and Reconstructed Streetwear to the Forefront

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Story and photos by Tom Wallace and Kathleen Gasperini There’s no question that Liberty Fairs, now in its 4th show, reminds those of us in the fashion industry of the early days of Project. The show, which was launched by Sam Ben-Avraham, the original founder of Project, has made his latest incarnation of a trade […]

Retail Round-Up: Zumiez Net Sales Down 24.3%: Gap Closes Design Studio; Billabong Looks Into Selling Swell

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The struggles rippling through fashion retail are resulting in many changes for brands, especially those in action sports, denim, and sportswear. Zumiez’s January financial reports released February 5, 2014 record a net sales decrease of 24.3% to $38.1 million from $50.3 million last year within the same five week period. Comparable store sales are down […]

H & M Up 9% and Reports Strong Response to &Other Brands, Sportswear Collection, and U.S. Online Sales

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Fast-fashion retailer and brand H&M, based out of Sweden has released their year-end financials which show a strong response to several different factors. First, H&M’s Group sales were up by 9% during the financial year and 356 new stores were added, predominately in China and the USA. As our youth culture studies show, H&M is […]

LuLulemon’s CEO Steps Down; Stocks Plummet

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Today, Monday, Lululemon Athletica announced that their CEO Christine Day would be leaving after 5 years. A successor is yet to be named. “Being a part of lululemon for the past five and a half years has been an incredible journey. I am proud of building a world class team that has produced one of […]

VF, Owners of The North Face, Vans, Lee, Timberland Announce Third Quarter Results and Raises Guidance

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While many brands continue to struggle in this difficult economy, VF Corp., owners of brands such as Vans, The North Face, Lee, Wrangler, Seven for All Mankind, Timberland, and Eastpak, announced yesterday, October 22, 2012, total revenues increase of 14% for the 3rd quarter. “Having achieved yet another quarter of record revenue, gross margin and […]

The Future of Fashion Summit by Sportswear International Highlights European Denim Trends, Topics on Retail, Digital Imprint, POS Emotional Impact, Brand Transparency

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In their first Future of Fashion Summit, Sportswear International provided a unique platform in Berlin, July 3, 2012, the day before Bread & Butter Trade Show for an impressive group of key speakers and topics ranging from changes in fashion and denim retail, to the Digital Lifestyle of today’s consumers (stay tuned for Label Networks’ […]

VF Corp Q1 Results Reveals Outdoor and Action Sports Fastest Growing Sector Up 60% Due In Large Part to Timberland

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VF Corp, owners of Wrangler, Vans, The North Face, and Timberland, among others, announced their Q1 Results for 2012 with revenues rising 31%. This is due in large part to the $356 million in revenues from their relatively new Timberland acquisition. Net income overall rose 9% to $219 million from $201 million in the same […]