jeff | Jeff Harbaugh

Press Releases from Altamont and Pete Fox on the Acquistion of Fox Head by Altamont

Here are the 2 presses releases from today on the deal. Altamont Capital Partners Leads Majority Recapitalization of Fox Head, Inc. Palo Alto, Calif., Dec. 10, 2014 – Altamont Capital Partners (Altamont) today announced it is leading a majority recapitalization of Fox Head, Inc. (Fox), the number one global motocross equipment, apparel and accessory brand. […]

Press Releases from Altamont and Pete Fox on the Acquistion of Fox Head by Altamont Read More »

Altamont Capital Partners Acquires Fox Head

Fox Head

You may recall that back in September this article told us that Fox Head was for sale. Fox, as you know, sells action sports and motocross apparel and accessories. You probably also recall that former DC Shoes Global President Nick Adcock, who was on the board of directors at Fox, took over as CEO on

Altamont Capital Partners Acquires Fox Head Read More »

Retail Positioning and PacSun’s Quarter

Pacific Sunwear (PacSun)

For the quarter ended November 2nd, PacSun reported its 11th straight quarter of positive comparative store sales growth. They grew sales 4.7% to $212.4 million compared to $202.8 million in the same quarter last year. $7.1 million came from the increase in comparable store sales. The gross profit margin rose from 25.2% to 26.7%. 1.1%

Retail Positioning and PacSun’s Quarter Read More »

The Elements of a Turnaround; Billabong’s Shareholder Meeting

Billabong

Billabong Chairman Ian Pollard and CEO Neil Fiske both spoke at the Billabong shareholder meeting on November 21. Billabong, like Skullcandy, is an acknowledged turnaround in process. Both are using the fact that the public markets designate them as such to approach their turnarounds in what I consider to be the right way. I would

The Elements of a Turnaround; Billabong’s Shareholder Meeting Read More »

Deckers Turns in an Impressive Quarter (Except for Sanuk)

Deckers (Sanuk)

Deckers, the owner of Sanuk, not to mention UGG and Teva, had a great quarter. Revenue rose 24.2% to $480.3 million from $386.7 million in last year’s quarter. The gross margin was up from 43.2% to 46.6%. The acquisition of their brand distributor in Germany and a decline in the cost of sheep skin had

Deckers Turns in an Impressive Quarter (Except for Sanuk) Read More »

Possible West Coast Port Strike or Slowdown.

Financial Management

I trust you’ve all been following this. Some companies in their conference calls are acknowledging that they’ve brought in some inventory early in case things go south in the negotiations. I would imagine that unions feel they have the most leverage now during the holiday shopping season. Most of you have product that arrives in

Possible West Coast Port Strike or Slowdown. Read More »

Hints of a New Business Model; Skullcandy’s Quarter

Skullcandy

I love it when a plan starts to come together. Especially when it’s a plan I’ve endorsed and follows an approach I’ve been recommending for many companies since about 2008. As you know, I’ve been concerned that public companies have pressures on them to grow that make it hard to be brand builders because getting

Hints of a New Business Model; Skullcandy’s Quarter Read More »

SPY’s September 30 Quarter: Not Bad

Spy

Last time I wrote about SPY (see it here) in August, they had reported a quarter over quarter sales decline of 18.1% from $10 million to $8.2 million. They told us their largest retail sunglass customer had stopped carrying their brand in the quarter that ended June 30. But in that quarter’s 10Q they said

SPY’s September 30 Quarter: Not Bad Read More »

Portfolio Theory at Work at VF; Their Quarterly Results.

VF Corp. (Vans, Reef, North Face)

VF’s 10Q for the quarter ended September showed another strong result. You can see the 10Q here. However, as with recent quarters, the good news was pretty much limited to their outdoor and action sport segment (OAS). I want to talk a bit about what that might mean, but first, let’s lay out the numbers.

Portfolio Theory at Work at VF; Their Quarterly Results. Read More »

Lowe’s New Customer Service Representatives and the Minimum Wage

Industry Evolution, Uncategorized

Lowe’s new in store service representatives won’t need bathroom breaks, vacations, or retirement account. They won’t get sick. Hell, you don’t even have to pay them a salary. And what’s even better, or maybe worse- I’m not quite sure- is that they may be able to help me find the esoteric piece of hardware I

Lowe’s New Customer Service Representatives and the Minimum Wage Read More »