A raid at a Raleigh flea market yielded seven arrests on charges of trademark violations.
Agents with the North Carolina Secretary of State working with the Raleigh Police Department uncovered what are believed to be counterfeit designer shoes and apparel, and pirated music and movies with an estimated retail value of $932,883.
"There is an increasing awareness that these are not victimless crimes, and that they do in many cases even have ties to organized crime," Secretary of State Elaine F. Marshall said Wednesday.
Arrested Saturday at Watson's Flea Market at 436 Rock Quarry Road in Raleigh were:
* Thierno Mamadou Diouf, 45, of Raleigh;
* Njeri Lavar Royster, 18, of Raleigh;
* Kara Mbye, 50, of Franklinton;
* Darryl Seth Tillery, 17, of Clayton;
* Moises Sanchez, 20, of Turkey;
* James Antonio Jerod Banks, 19, of Raleigh; and
* Trevon Will Scott, 17, of Raleigh.
Diouf, Royster, Mbye and Tillery were each charged with one count of felony criminal use of a counterfeit trademark.
Sanchez, Banks and Scott were each charged with one count of unauthorized use and possession of sound recordings.
Diouf was said to be in possession of 29 pairs of counterfeit Nike Air Jordan shoes. The retail sales value of the products exceeded $3,000.
Royster was said to be in possession of counterfeit Mitchell & Ness hats, New Era hats, Nike shoes, Timberland boots, True Religion jeans and shirts, and Polo jeans and shirts. The retail sales value of the products exceeded $10,000.
Mbye was said to be in possession of 109 pairs of counterfeit Nike Air Jordan shoes, 42 pairs of counterfeit Nike Air Force One shoes, and 100 pairs of counterfeit Nike shoes. The retail sales value of the products exceeded $10,000.
Tillery was said to be in possession of counterfeit Mitchell & Ness hats, New Era hats, Nike shoes, Timberland boots, True Religion jeans and shirts, and Polo jeans and shirts. The retail sales value of the products exceeded $10,000.
And Sanchez, Banks and Scott were each said to be in possession of more than 100 unauthorized recorded devices, "which did not contain the true name and address of the manufacturer."
"The same criminal pipelines that bring in fake designer clothes and pirated movies can then also bring in knock-off electrical extension cords that can present a deadly fire hazard in your home, not to mention illegal drugs, weapons, and even human trafficking," Marshall explained.
2011年9月28日星期三
Kid Cudi Rocks One Of His 4 Pairs Of Nike Air MAG's
Kid Cudi Marty McFlys Nike Air MAG
Kid Cudi was one of the first to win a pair of the Nike Air Mag “Marty McFly” shoes as they went up for auction. Though Tinie Tempah was the very first, Kid Cudi decided that if he wasn't first he was going to auction on four pairs. Well, as we let you know previously, Mr. Rager was the winner of four pairs of the high-demand Back To The Future based shoes.
Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi actually wore a pair of them the other night while celebrating his latest magazine cover with Complex. Now for those of you sneaker heads out there who wouldn't even dream of stepping foot out the house in these– don't worry, Cudi's got a few extra pairs to keep fresh in the box.
Mr. Rager accessorized his sneaks with a gold Jesus piece, embellished black and gold beaded hoodie, jeans practically ripped to shreds and some sunglasses. But there's no doubt that the Marty McFly's were the hit of the evening. His staple quote for the night?
While the Air MAG auction ended on the 18th, it looks as though most would have gotten them by now- with ebay noting that recipients would receive their sneaks by the 23rd. Check out Cudi's kicks below. What do you think?
Kid Cudi was one of the first to win a pair of the Nike Air Mag “Marty McFly” shoes as they went up for auction. Though Tinie Tempah was the very first, Kid Cudi decided that if he wasn't first he was going to auction on four pairs. Well, as we let you know previously, Mr. Rager was the winner of four pairs of the high-demand Back To The Future based shoes.
Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi actually wore a pair of them the other night while celebrating his latest magazine cover with Complex. Now for those of you sneaker heads out there who wouldn't even dream of stepping foot out the house in these– don't worry, Cudi's got a few extra pairs to keep fresh in the box.
Mr. Rager accessorized his sneaks with a gold Jesus piece, embellished black and gold beaded hoodie, jeans practically ripped to shreds and some sunglasses. But there's no doubt that the Marty McFly's were the hit of the evening. His staple quote for the night?
While the Air MAG auction ended on the 18th, it looks as though most would have gotten them by now- with ebay noting that recipients would receive their sneaks by the 23rd. Check out Cudi's kicks below. What do you think?
2011年9月27日星期二
2011 Celebrity Pro-Am Tennis Tournament to Benefit National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Celebrities from movies, television, and music will join with some of the most famous names in tennis on October 15 for the fourth annual Serve It Up to End MS tennis event to benefit the Southern California & Nevada Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
The tournament will be held at the famous Jack Kramer Club in Rolling Hills Estates, approximately 30 minutes south of Santa Monica. In addition to the official celebrity pro-am tournament, the event will include a series of clinics, team tennis challenge, chances to beat the pro, lunch, silent and live auctions, and a terrific cocktail party. Tickets can be purchased at www.serveituptoendMS.org .
Joining the celebrities will be professional tennis players including Tracy Austin, John Austin, Pam Shriver, Lindsay Davenport, Justin Gimelstob, Murphy Jensen, Vijay Armitraj, Derrick Rostagno, Eliot Teltscher and Anand Armitraj. Event sponsors include Mercedes-Benz, Nike, POWERADE, Neutrogena, Raymond Weil and POM Juice.
"This year's event is shaping up to be the biggest one yet," said Chris Ojakian, organizer of the annual fundraiser. "Every year we get a tremendous response from the celebrities, tennis pros and sponsors who step up and support the cause."
Every person 21 years of age or older who attends the event will receive a Nike Team Training Cinch Bag containing a Nike Tech Cap, Nike Dri-FIT Anklets and a pair of Nike Premier Wristbands. And if they visit the Mercedes-Benz South Bay dealership and test drive a Mercedes-Benz, they will also receive a pair of Nike Lunar Vapor 8 Tour tennis shoes for Men or Nike Lunar Speed 3 tennis shoes for Women.
The amateur winner (21 years of age or older) of each flight of the Serve It Up Pro-Am will receive a three-day, two-night trip to the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Scottsdale, AZ where they will compete in the Mercedes-Benz Western Sectional. Two additional spots for the Western Sectional will also be raffled off. The winning team of the Mercedes-Benz Western Sectional will receive a VIP trip to the 2012 U.S. Open in New York, including Mercedes-Benz Suite access to various matches and an exclusive "behind-the-scenes" tour of the National Tennis Center.
2011年9月26日星期一
Small town golf shop with up-to-the-minute inventory
Jo Menary and Lenny Jones are what you'd call a winning combination at Alta Sierra Country Club's Golf Pro Shop.
On one hand, you've got Menary, who is the store's hot-shot soft goods merchandiser. A former general manager of Como Sport — an Italian line of golf apparel by Cobra — Menary brings with her a keen eye for top-of-the-line active wear, reasonable prices and good contacts in the industry.
On the other hand, you've got Lenny Jones, a beloved shop sales representative who has worked at the pro shop for more than 28 years. Longtime club members and community members alike say Jones' high level of expertise in the shop is only matched by his winning personality. He's watched local kids grow up and come back to the shop with families of their own. Many say it doesn't take long before Jones' customers become his friends.
Jones said he is frustrated that — despite being open for decades — many people still don't realize the shop is open to the public.
“Anybody can pop into the shop, the restaurant, or to schedule a time to play golf,” he said. “We are not exclusive — we have a lot of fun.”
This time of year Jones said he helps about 90 customers a day, a number that dwindles when the weather starts to turn. Nonetheless, there are a healthy number of die-hard winter golfers who keep the shop open year-round, not to mention those who pop in to buy gifts or active wear, much of which is not specific to golf.
“We offer the best equipment, apparel, shoes, golf clubs, putters and instruction,” said Kacey Tyler, the club's golf professional who heads up the golf shop's operations. “We also do golf club repair. We've got everything do with golf right here. People really need to know they don't need to go to Roseville to get top names at a good price and a great selection.”
Don't get Menary started on the clothing line at the golf shop unless you're ready to learn about comfortable, up-to-the-minute, breathable fabrics and styles. It's her passion.
“I don't go to trade shows very often because I prefer one-on-one interactions with the clothing and accessory reps,” Menary, who was eager to show off the store's newest accessory, an elegant, sparkly ball marker necklace. “I like it when the reps them to come to me. I sit out in their big air-conditioned trucks and go through their racks with the latest clothes. I definitely know how to get good prices, fabrics and flattering styles for women of all ages.”
Women's lines include — but are not limited to — Monterey Club, DKNY, Greg Norman Collection, Travis Mathew, Jamie Sadock, EP Pro, Sport Haley, Adidas, Fairway Outfitters, Antigua and Sunice. Shoes include Footjoy, Sandbaggers and Dawgs.
Men's brands in clothing include Adidas, Ashworth, Greg Norman, Monterey Club, Smith & Tweed and Antigua.
The shop carries top names in golfing equipment and can fit clubs to a player's swing and body type, which Tyler says makes a huge difference a golfer's game. Customers can “demo” clubs on the driving range before selecting the irons and woods they want. Scores of demo days throughout the year feature such manufacturers as Callaway, Cleveland, Nike, TourEdge and others.
In addition to her experience in golf clothing, Menary lives and breathes the sport itself. She's a Nevada County Country Club golf championship winner, and her husband Dave, a former long-drive professional, is a golf sales representative. She carries an 11 handicap. Menary and her shop cohorts are busy gearing up for Alta Sierra's Ladies Invitational, scheduled for Oct. 5 through 7.
As for Jones, he says his No. 1 goal is to make sure his customers realize that life is about having fun.
“Most of our members are retired,” he said. “I'm here to help them enjoy what they've worked over half their lives to get to. They deserve to enjoy their retirement. I love it when they stop by to say hi.”
On one hand, you've got Menary, who is the store's hot-shot soft goods merchandiser. A former general manager of Como Sport — an Italian line of golf apparel by Cobra — Menary brings with her a keen eye for top-of-the-line active wear, reasonable prices and good contacts in the industry.
On the other hand, you've got Lenny Jones, a beloved shop sales representative who has worked at the pro shop for more than 28 years. Longtime club members and community members alike say Jones' high level of expertise in the shop is only matched by his winning personality. He's watched local kids grow up and come back to the shop with families of their own. Many say it doesn't take long before Jones' customers become his friends.
Jones said he is frustrated that — despite being open for decades — many people still don't realize the shop is open to the public.
“Anybody can pop into the shop, the restaurant, or to schedule a time to play golf,” he said. “We are not exclusive — we have a lot of fun.”
This time of year Jones said he helps about 90 customers a day, a number that dwindles when the weather starts to turn. Nonetheless, there are a healthy number of die-hard winter golfers who keep the shop open year-round, not to mention those who pop in to buy gifts or active wear, much of which is not specific to golf.
“We offer the best equipment, apparel, shoes, golf clubs, putters and instruction,” said Kacey Tyler, the club's golf professional who heads up the golf shop's operations. “We also do golf club repair. We've got everything do with golf right here. People really need to know they don't need to go to Roseville to get top names at a good price and a great selection.”
Don't get Menary started on the clothing line at the golf shop unless you're ready to learn about comfortable, up-to-the-minute, breathable fabrics and styles. It's her passion.
“I don't go to trade shows very often because I prefer one-on-one interactions with the clothing and accessory reps,” Menary, who was eager to show off the store's newest accessory, an elegant, sparkly ball marker necklace. “I like it when the reps them to come to me. I sit out in their big air-conditioned trucks and go through their racks with the latest clothes. I definitely know how to get good prices, fabrics and flattering styles for women of all ages.”
Women's lines include — but are not limited to — Monterey Club, DKNY, Greg Norman Collection, Travis Mathew, Jamie Sadock, EP Pro, Sport Haley, Adidas, Fairway Outfitters, Antigua and Sunice. Shoes include Footjoy, Sandbaggers and Dawgs.
Men's brands in clothing include Adidas, Ashworth, Greg Norman, Monterey Club, Smith & Tweed and Antigua.
The shop carries top names in golfing equipment and can fit clubs to a player's swing and body type, which Tyler says makes a huge difference a golfer's game. Customers can “demo” clubs on the driving range before selecting the irons and woods they want. Scores of demo days throughout the year feature such manufacturers as Callaway, Cleveland, Nike, TourEdge and others.
In addition to her experience in golf clothing, Menary lives and breathes the sport itself. She's a Nevada County Country Club golf championship winner, and her husband Dave, a former long-drive professional, is a golf sales representative. She carries an 11 handicap. Menary and her shop cohorts are busy gearing up for Alta Sierra's Ladies Invitational, scheduled for Oct. 5 through 7.
As for Jones, he says his No. 1 goal is to make sure his customers realize that life is about having fun.
“Most of our members are retired,” he said. “I'm here to help them enjoy what they've worked over half their lives to get to. They deserve to enjoy their retirement. I love it when they stop by to say hi.”
2011年9月23日星期五
Nike Profit Climbs 15%
Nike Inc. the world's largest maker of athletic shoes and apparel, said Thursday after the markets closed that its first quarter profit rose 15% from last year, as higher sales, better expense management and a lower effective tax rate helped offset lower gross margins. The company's quarterly earnings per share also handily beat analysts' estimate as did its quarterly revenue.
The Beaverton, Oregon-based company reported net income for the first quarter of $645 million or $1.36 per share, compared to $559 million or $1.14 per share for the year-ago quarter.
On average, 19 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to earn $1.21 per share for the first quarter.
Gross margins for the quarter fell to 44.3% from 47.0% a year ago, mainly as a result of higher product costs and a higher mix of off-price revenues sold at a lower margin than the prior year.
Revenues for the first quarter increased 18% to $6.08 billion from $5.18 billion in the same quarter last year. Excluding changes in currency exchange rates, first quarter revenues grew 11% from a year earlier. Eighteen analysts had a consensus revenue estimate of $5.75 billion for the first quarter.
For the first quarter, footwear sales rose 19% to $3.3 billion, while apparel sales increased 16 to $1.6 billion and equipment sales surged 24% to $342 million.
First quarter North America revenues increased 16% year-over-year to $2.2 billion, while revenue for Western Europe rose 14% to $1.2 billion and Central and Eastern Europe revenue surged 24% to $334 million.
Revenue for Greater China climbed 15% to $528 million in the first quarter, while Japan revenue rose 17% to $191 million. First quarter revenue from emerging markets jumped 35% to $799 million from $591 million a year ago.
Revenue from the company's other businesses, which includes Cole Haan, Converse Inc., Hurley International LLC, Nke Golf, and Umbro Ltd., increased 10% to $762 million in the first quarter.
Worldwide future orders for Nike brand athletic footwear and apparel, scheduled for delivery from September 11 to January 2012, rose 16% from last year to $8.5 billion.
By region, futures orders for the North America region were up 16%; Western Europe rose 9%, Central and Eastern Europe increased 17%, Greater China jumped 27%, Japan down 10% and emerging markets futures orders surged 22%. At the end of the first quarter, global inventories stood at $3.1 billion, up 41% from from a year ago.
"We're off to a strong start in fiscal year 2012. We have a powerful and diverse portfolio of brands and businesses, and we're focused on leveraging them to drive growth and create value for our shareholders," said Nike CEO Mark Parker.
The Beaverton, Oregon-based company reported net income for the first quarter of $645 million or $1.36 per share, compared to $559 million or $1.14 per share for the year-ago quarter.
On average, 19 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to earn $1.21 per share for the first quarter.
Gross margins for the quarter fell to 44.3% from 47.0% a year ago, mainly as a result of higher product costs and a higher mix of off-price revenues sold at a lower margin than the prior year.
Revenues for the first quarter increased 18% to $6.08 billion from $5.18 billion in the same quarter last year. Excluding changes in currency exchange rates, first quarter revenues grew 11% from a year earlier. Eighteen analysts had a consensus revenue estimate of $5.75 billion for the first quarter.
For the first quarter, footwear sales rose 19% to $3.3 billion, while apparel sales increased 16 to $1.6 billion and equipment sales surged 24% to $342 million.
First quarter North America revenues increased 16% year-over-year to $2.2 billion, while revenue for Western Europe rose 14% to $1.2 billion and Central and Eastern Europe revenue surged 24% to $334 million.
Revenue for Greater China climbed 15% to $528 million in the first quarter, while Japan revenue rose 17% to $191 million. First quarter revenue from emerging markets jumped 35% to $799 million from $591 million a year ago.
Revenue from the company's other businesses, which includes Cole Haan, Converse Inc., Hurley International LLC, Nke Golf, and Umbro Ltd., increased 10% to $762 million in the first quarter.
Worldwide future orders for Nike brand athletic footwear and apparel, scheduled for delivery from September 11 to January 2012, rose 16% from last year to $8.5 billion.
By region, futures orders for the North America region were up 16%; Western Europe rose 9%, Central and Eastern Europe increased 17%, Greater China jumped 27%, Japan down 10% and emerging markets futures orders surged 22%. At the end of the first quarter, global inventories stood at $3.1 billion, up 41% from from a year ago.
"We're off to a strong start in fiscal year 2012. We have a powerful and diverse portfolio of brands and businesses, and we're focused on leveraging them to drive growth and create value for our shareholders," said Nike CEO Mark Parker.
2011年9月22日星期四
Which? That. Unless you mean which.
Mike Stevens wrote to ask about something that’s bugged him for quite a while.
“When is ‘that’ used, and when is ‘which’ the more appropriate word?”
In general, newspaper style is to use “that” to introduce an essential clause and “which” to introduce a nonessential clause. An essential clause can’t be removed from a sentence without changing meaning; a nonessential clause can be, but it’s included to give more information about the subject.
The meaning dictates whether you need an essential or nonessential clause. I learned the rule with this example:
Essential clause: Nike shoes that fall apart should be returned for a refund. (Only those few Nike shoes that fall apart should be returned.)
Nonessential clause: Nike shoes, which fall apart, should be returned for a refund. (You could take out the two commas and the “which fall apart,” and the sentence would read “Nike shoes should be returned for a refund.” It’s a complete sentence all right, but it’s also maybe libelous. In this case, the writer is declaring that all Nike shoes fall apart. The newspaper that publishes such a sentence will need good lawyers.)
Stevens asked about these sentences:
* “I took the book that was on the table.” Correct. Which book was taken? The one that was on the table. The clause beginning with “that” is essential to understanding which book we’re talking about.
* “I took the book which was on the table.” No, but you could write, “I took the book, which was on the table.” The clause beginning with “which” is nonessential, but it gives more information about the book that was taken.
By the way, some grammar books used to teach (and may still teach) that these are “restrictive” and “nonrestrictive” clauses. Same thing; different name. Try not to let the terms scare you. It’s more important to be able to apply a rule than to know all the things it’s called.
“When is ‘that’ used, and when is ‘which’ the more appropriate word?”
In general, newspaper style is to use “that” to introduce an essential clause and “which” to introduce a nonessential clause. An essential clause can’t be removed from a sentence without changing meaning; a nonessential clause can be, but it’s included to give more information about the subject.
The meaning dictates whether you need an essential or nonessential clause. I learned the rule with this example:
Essential clause: Nike shoes that fall apart should be returned for a refund. (Only those few Nike shoes that fall apart should be returned.)
Nonessential clause: Nike shoes, which fall apart, should be returned for a refund. (You could take out the two commas and the “which fall apart,” and the sentence would read “Nike shoes should be returned for a refund.” It’s a complete sentence all right, but it’s also maybe libelous. In this case, the writer is declaring that all Nike shoes fall apart. The newspaper that publishes such a sentence will need good lawyers.)
Stevens asked about these sentences:
* “I took the book that was on the table.” Correct. Which book was taken? The one that was on the table. The clause beginning with “that” is essential to understanding which book we’re talking about.
* “I took the book which was on the table.” No, but you could write, “I took the book, which was on the table.” The clause beginning with “which” is nonessential, but it gives more information about the book that was taken.
By the way, some grammar books used to teach (and may still teach) that these are “restrictive” and “nonrestrictive” clauses. Same thing; different name. Try not to let the terms scare you. It’s more important to be able to apply a rule than to know all the things it’s called.
2011年9月21日星期三
Nick Daiber wins Nike shoe design competition
A 17-year-old student at Highland High School has won a nationwide shoe design contest sponsored by Nike.
Nick Daiber actually tied for first place. Then NBA player Carmelo Anthony made the deciding vote.
"It was really awesome," said Daiber. "Having the judges pick was really cool. But having Melo pick my shoe over the other guy's was like really amazing."
Diaber showed NewsChannel 5 a prototype utilizing a high-top tennis shoe.
"This is taped-up," he said. "I taped over a real shoe and drew on it."
Then he brought out the finished product. No one will be lacing it up any time soon, however. It's a ceramic model.
"This right here," he said, pointing to the top of the shoe. "This part of your foot sweats the most. So it's like a mesh bootie here. And then this shell of a top. And a special lacing system."
Chris Durbin is an engineering teacher at Highland High School.
"I think Nick is the perfect example of the kind of exciting things high school students can do if we just give them the resources and get out of their way," said Durbin.
Art teacher Laura Wander said she is not surprised by Daiber's success.
"No, I'm not. He has wanted this so bad," said Daiber. "He's got such a great work ethic and this is all he's been working on since last year."
The ultimate prize is yet to come. Daiber hopes to get a chance to meet Carmelo Anthony and watch him play basketball while wearing the shoes Daiber designed.
Nick Daiber actually tied for first place. Then NBA player Carmelo Anthony made the deciding vote.
"It was really awesome," said Daiber. "Having the judges pick was really cool. But having Melo pick my shoe over the other guy's was like really amazing."
Diaber showed NewsChannel 5 a prototype utilizing a high-top tennis shoe.
"This is taped-up," he said. "I taped over a real shoe and drew on it."
Then he brought out the finished product. No one will be lacing it up any time soon, however. It's a ceramic model.
"This right here," he said, pointing to the top of the shoe. "This part of your foot sweats the most. So it's like a mesh bootie here. And then this shell of a top. And a special lacing system."
Chris Durbin is an engineering teacher at Highland High School.
"I think Nick is the perfect example of the kind of exciting things high school students can do if we just give them the resources and get out of their way," said Durbin.
Art teacher Laura Wander said she is not surprised by Daiber's success.
"No, I'm not. He has wanted this so bad," said Daiber. "He's got such a great work ethic and this is all he's been working on since last year."
The ultimate prize is yet to come. Daiber hopes to get a chance to meet Carmelo Anthony and watch him play basketball while wearing the shoes Daiber designed.
2011年9月20日星期二
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2011年9月16日星期五
Mayflower resident assaulted Tuesday
A resident of Mayflower Residence Hall was assaulted Tuesday afternoon around 2 p.m. as he was leaving the northeast entrance of the building, according to a press release.
The suspect wore a ski mask and reportedly punched the victim in the back of the head and attempted to steal his wallet. A Good Samaritan stepped in and was able to aid the victim in retrieving the wallet, the release said.
According to UI police, the suspect is described as a 25- to 30-year old black male, 6 foot, 200 pounds; he was last seen wearing all black clothing and black Nike-style basketball shoes. The alleged victim also said there appeared to be a cut design in his hair on the right side of his head.
UI police are also seeking the Good Samaritan, who is described as an older white male, possibly 40 to 50 years of age, who might go by the name Mark or Clark. He is described as 5-10, 170 pounds, with a thin silver mustache and light brown hair.
2011年9月15日星期四
Actors spends time in “Bear” Bryant's shoes
Former Alabama football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant will come to life on stage this weekend in the form of “Bear Country,” a play that takes audiences through pivotal events of Bryant's life, up to the end of his coaching career. Produced by Theatre Tuscaloosa and penned by playwright Michael Vigilant, “Bear Country” will be held at Shelton State's Bean-Brown Theatre several nights each week until Oct.2.
Vigilant wrote the play as part of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival's Southern Writers Project. After a three-year process of research, reading about Bryant's life and interviewing family, friends and former players, rehearsal began in 2008 for its first run.
According to Vigilant, the play's overarching message is found in the coach's quote, “Five to seven plays from each game make the differences, whether you win or lose.”
“I wanted to pick five to seven [moments] of Coach Bryant's life and make them the play,” Vigilant said. “We see these pivotal moments in his life and how he developed into the person he was.”
Bryant is played by returning actor Rodney Clark, who brings us through moments such as Bryant's first discovery of football while listening to the 1926 Rose Bowl with his uncle, as well as his playing against Tennessee on a broken leg and his decision not to leave Alabama for a job with the Miami Dolphins. Younger versions of Bryant and those around him are played by the cast's other three members.
Vigilant recalled his nerves on opening night of their first production in 2009 but said warm reviews and exceptional turnout both thrilled and relieved him.
“I have to admit, I've written a lot of plays and been at a lot of opening nights,” Vigilant said. “But I don't think I quite understood the magnitude of what Coach Bryant means to Alabama.”
According to the playwright, every player he interviewed shared the sentiment that Coach Bryant was not just a coach, but a figure who gave them the drive and guidance to help them succeed on and off the field.
“[Coach Bryant's] probably a lot more than you think he was,” Vigilant said. “I'm always pleased to see people rising to their feet at the end of a production [of Bear Country], and I know it isn't just for the performance, but it's celebrating the tremendous legacy of Coach Bryant.”
Clark, a member of the company since 1995, was apprehensive at first about taking the role of Coach Bryant.
“I grew up in Alabama. I was an Alabama fan, went to school here. I watched him on TV,” Clark said. “The thought of screwing it up and having everyone in Alabama after [me] was frightening.”
However, as the script became more and more appealing and his schedule aligned, Clark accepted. Clark said he immediately began digging into YouTube videos of the coach and figuring out just how he sounded, looked and responded to certain issues at the end of his career.
“I haven't been to an [Alabama football] game in a long time,” Clark said. “I went to the opening game this year, and I was in tears. Seeing that video introduction [featuring Coach Bryant], it brought to my mind how important it is to represent this man properly and how much he meant to the state of Alabama.
Eventually, he captured the “mellow” and “warm” aspect of Bryant with his signature deep accent, bringing it into a theatrical form.
Not only is Clark revisiting his role as Coach Bryant, but he is also taking on the character alongside three new cast members. Clark said that, while balancing being an actor and a director can be tricky, and new actors make the production very new, the play's central direction remains the same.
“[Bear Country's] really in great praise of an iconic figure who has been loved in this area for so long,” Clark said. “It's a good way to learn a lot of things about [Coach Bryant], about his personality, and something about his person.”
The next performance of Bear Country will take place tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Bean-Brown Theatre. The run will continue until its final performance on Oct. 2 at 2:00 p.m.
Vigilant wrote the play as part of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival's Southern Writers Project. After a three-year process of research, reading about Bryant's life and interviewing family, friends and former players, rehearsal began in 2008 for its first run.
According to Vigilant, the play's overarching message is found in the coach's quote, “Five to seven plays from each game make the differences, whether you win or lose.”
“I wanted to pick five to seven [moments] of Coach Bryant's life and make them the play,” Vigilant said. “We see these pivotal moments in his life and how he developed into the person he was.”
Bryant is played by returning actor Rodney Clark, who brings us through moments such as Bryant's first discovery of football while listening to the 1926 Rose Bowl with his uncle, as well as his playing against Tennessee on a broken leg and his decision not to leave Alabama for a job with the Miami Dolphins. Younger versions of Bryant and those around him are played by the cast's other three members.
Vigilant recalled his nerves on opening night of their first production in 2009 but said warm reviews and exceptional turnout both thrilled and relieved him.
“I have to admit, I've written a lot of plays and been at a lot of opening nights,” Vigilant said. “But I don't think I quite understood the magnitude of what Coach Bryant means to Alabama.”
According to the playwright, every player he interviewed shared the sentiment that Coach Bryant was not just a coach, but a figure who gave them the drive and guidance to help them succeed on and off the field.
“[Coach Bryant's] probably a lot more than you think he was,” Vigilant said. “I'm always pleased to see people rising to their feet at the end of a production [of Bear Country], and I know it isn't just for the performance, but it's celebrating the tremendous legacy of Coach Bryant.”
Clark, a member of the company since 1995, was apprehensive at first about taking the role of Coach Bryant.
“I grew up in Alabama. I was an Alabama fan, went to school here. I watched him on TV,” Clark said. “The thought of screwing it up and having everyone in Alabama after [me] was frightening.”
However, as the script became more and more appealing and his schedule aligned, Clark accepted. Clark said he immediately began digging into YouTube videos of the coach and figuring out just how he sounded, looked and responded to certain issues at the end of his career.
“I haven't been to an [Alabama football] game in a long time,” Clark said. “I went to the opening game this year, and I was in tears. Seeing that video introduction [featuring Coach Bryant], it brought to my mind how important it is to represent this man properly and how much he meant to the state of Alabama.
Eventually, he captured the “mellow” and “warm” aspect of Bryant with his signature deep accent, bringing it into a theatrical form.
Not only is Clark revisiting his role as Coach Bryant, but he is also taking on the character alongside three new cast members. Clark said that, while balancing being an actor and a director can be tricky, and new actors make the production very new, the play's central direction remains the same.
“[Bear Country's] really in great praise of an iconic figure who has been loved in this area for so long,” Clark said. “It's a good way to learn a lot of things about [Coach Bryant], about his personality, and something about his person.”
The next performance of Bear Country will take place tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Bean-Brown Theatre. The run will continue until its final performance on Oct. 2 at 2:00 p.m.
2011年9月14日星期三
Edgewood Eagle Cheerleaders Raise Money, Collect Shoes
The Edgewood Eagles cheerleading squad does more than cheer at Pop Warner games.
Recently, the squad raised $700 for Jackson, a great dane recently featured on local television who needed his two front legs operated on. The money went to Great Danes Rescue around New England and was raised during a recent car wash in front of Cranston High School East.
On Sunday, the squad held a sneaker drive to collect shoes that will be shipped to Nike. They'll then recycle the shoes to make indoor tracks, basketball and tennis courts and playgrounds around the world.
Nike recieved more than 6,000 applications for the drive and Edgewood was one of just a few hundred chosen to participate.
Their goal was to ship 100 sneakers to Nike and so far, they've already collected 250.
Recently, the squad raised $700 for Jackson, a great dane recently featured on local television who needed his two front legs operated on. The money went to Great Danes Rescue around New England and was raised during a recent car wash in front of Cranston High School East.
On Sunday, the squad held a sneaker drive to collect shoes that will be shipped to Nike. They'll then recycle the shoes to make indoor tracks, basketball and tennis courts and playgrounds around the world.
Nike recieved more than 6,000 applications for the drive and Edgewood was one of just a few hundred chosen to participate.
Their goal was to ship 100 sneakers to Nike and so far, they've already collected 250.
2011年9月13日星期二
Parents save when kids stay home
Anyone who has taken their kids back-to-school shopping knows how hard it can be to resist pleas for a Dora the Explorer folder or a Lightning McQueen lunchbox. But this year, some parents have been testing a new strategy: leaving the little ones at home.
Parents are being squeezed by stagnant wages and rising costs, not to mention a growing list of classroom supplies that teachers request they buy.
But kids want the Nike shoes and Abercrombie & Fitch tees they see in ads every day, never mind the cost. They also don’t like to be dragged from store to store while their parents comparison shop.
As a result, only 56 percent of parents say they’re bringing their kids along for back-to-school shopping this year, down from 80 percent last year, according to marketing data firm America’s Research Group.
“One of the best ways to save money is to do the shopping and bring it home and say, ‘Here are your back-to-school clothes,’ ” said America’s Research Group President C. Britt Beemer. “When children are along, pleasing them and avoiding a tantrum is an easier choice than trying to say, ‘No way.’ ”
Gayle Strickland Jones, who lives in Middletown, Del., decided to handle the back-to-school shopping this year without her children after her 10-year-old son pleaded for an $8 pair of titanium scissors at Staples — just because they were cool.
On a solo trip, she ended up buying a $3 basic pair of scissors at Walmart instead.
Similarly, Jones, who works at DuPont, was able to save money on purchases for her daughter. Last year, Jones bought her seventh-grade daughter a new backpack with polka dots, so this year, the girl requested that all her school supplies be in zebra print. As a compromise, Jones picked up a two-pack of zebra-print erasers for $1.
Ultimately, shopping without the kids saves Jones money, which is important because her husband was laid off from his sales job earlier this year. She spent just $75 on school supplies this year — much less than she says she spent last year — and even less than if the kids had been with her.
“They would not only be pickier but wanting things they don’t necessarily need,” Jones said about shopping with her kids.
To be sure, children have always bugged their parents to buy unnecessary doodads. A generation ago, kids begged their parents for Legos and My Little Pony after watching commercials for the toys during Saturday-morning cartoons. But that was the extent of their brand exposure.
Now, kids are being marketed to on several digital channels from the time they can talk. In total, companies spend roughly $17 billion per year advertising to kids, up from $100 million in 1983, according to the not-for-profit group Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood. And children younger than 8 are the most susceptible to marketing because they interpret ads literally, not understanding the intent is to drive sales.
“If you show it to kids enough, they’re going to want it,” saod Sandra Calvert, director of the Children’s Digital Media Center at Georgetown University.
That has put a new level of pressure on parents at a time when they’re looking to spend conservatively in the down economy.
The average family with kids in grades kindergarten through 12 plans to shell out $604 for clothes, school supplies and electronics this year, down slightly from $606 last year.
But in a 2011 back-to-school shopping survey by market-research firm Kelton Research, most parents said that, more often than not, their kids push them to buy certain products or brands. And almost one in two parents said they feel pressure to buy the highest-quality or costliest items for their children.
“When I was a kid, I used to pester my parents for name-brand shoes, but I had much less access, and I was much less marketed to,” said Gareth Schweitzer, president of Kelton Research, adding that now it’s “harder for parents to save money.”
Gina Lincicum, a stay-at-home mother of an 8-year-old boy and 5-year-old twins, said it’s tough to keep a budget in check when shopping with kids.
So this year, she has decided to order her children’s clothing online and then have them try it on at home, where they won’t be tempted by more expensive duds. (Lincicum, the blogger behind the site Moneywisemoms.com, said she is waiting until late September to do this so she can catch deals.)
“When we’re out, my son says, ‘I want that Mario T-shirt,’ ” said Lincicum, whose family has been feeling the stress of the high cost of living in their northern Virginia town. “I’m like, ‘Wait a second, you have enough T-shirts to get you through two years.’ ”
Sue Werle took a similar approach when she decided to exclude her four children, ages 2 to 8, from back-to-school shopping trips.
Werle, who lives in Sherwood, Ore., opted to buy most of her kids’ school supplies online because she could take her time and ensure she was getting the lowest price — a feat she says is impossible when she brings the kids to the store because they are impatient and want a lot of unnecessary things. For instance, her 8-year-old son insists on Skechers-brand shoes, which can run between $36 and $60 in his size.
“It’s hard when you know those Hot Wheels pencils are just really cool,” said Werle, who opted for very basic school supplies but decided to allow each child to pick out one bigger, special item, such as a backpack or pair of shoes. “But when you’re trying to stick to a budget, you have to go, ‘What’s going to matter to my child in the long run — that they have a cool backpack or the pencil that in two weeks is going to be lost, broken or chewed on?’ ”
Laura Train decided to do her back-to-school shopping without her kids even knowing. Train, who works for the Social Security Administration in Baltimore County, Md., picked up school supplies at Target while her two children were out of town in Texas this summer.
Between clothing and supplies, she budgeted $500 for both kids, and so far she hasn’t gone over. But her kids are at an age — 11 and 14 — that she didn’t feel comfortable buying everything without their input. Train did her best, though, getting basic, inexpensive items in colors she thought they would like. She even picked up one item for her daughter that wasn’t on the list.
“I got her a mirror for her locker,” Train said. “She thought that was pretty cool.”
Parents are being squeezed by stagnant wages and rising costs, not to mention a growing list of classroom supplies that teachers request they buy.
But kids want the Nike shoes and Abercrombie & Fitch tees they see in ads every day, never mind the cost. They also don’t like to be dragged from store to store while their parents comparison shop.
As a result, only 56 percent of parents say they’re bringing their kids along for back-to-school shopping this year, down from 80 percent last year, according to marketing data firm America’s Research Group.
“One of the best ways to save money is to do the shopping and bring it home and say, ‘Here are your back-to-school clothes,’ ” said America’s Research Group President C. Britt Beemer. “When children are along, pleasing them and avoiding a tantrum is an easier choice than trying to say, ‘No way.’ ”
Gayle Strickland Jones, who lives in Middletown, Del., decided to handle the back-to-school shopping this year without her children after her 10-year-old son pleaded for an $8 pair of titanium scissors at Staples — just because they were cool.
On a solo trip, she ended up buying a $3 basic pair of scissors at Walmart instead.
Similarly, Jones, who works at DuPont, was able to save money on purchases for her daughter. Last year, Jones bought her seventh-grade daughter a new backpack with polka dots, so this year, the girl requested that all her school supplies be in zebra print. As a compromise, Jones picked up a two-pack of zebra-print erasers for $1.
Ultimately, shopping without the kids saves Jones money, which is important because her husband was laid off from his sales job earlier this year. She spent just $75 on school supplies this year — much less than she says she spent last year — and even less than if the kids had been with her.
“They would not only be pickier but wanting things they don’t necessarily need,” Jones said about shopping with her kids.
To be sure, children have always bugged their parents to buy unnecessary doodads. A generation ago, kids begged their parents for Legos and My Little Pony after watching commercials for the toys during Saturday-morning cartoons. But that was the extent of their brand exposure.
Now, kids are being marketed to on several digital channels from the time they can talk. In total, companies spend roughly $17 billion per year advertising to kids, up from $100 million in 1983, according to the not-for-profit group Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood. And children younger than 8 are the most susceptible to marketing because they interpret ads literally, not understanding the intent is to drive sales.
“If you show it to kids enough, they’re going to want it,” saod Sandra Calvert, director of the Children’s Digital Media Center at Georgetown University.
That has put a new level of pressure on parents at a time when they’re looking to spend conservatively in the down economy.
The average family with kids in grades kindergarten through 12 plans to shell out $604 for clothes, school supplies and electronics this year, down slightly from $606 last year.
But in a 2011 back-to-school shopping survey by market-research firm Kelton Research, most parents said that, more often than not, their kids push them to buy certain products or brands. And almost one in two parents said they feel pressure to buy the highest-quality or costliest items for their children.
“When I was a kid, I used to pester my parents for name-brand shoes, but I had much less access, and I was much less marketed to,” said Gareth Schweitzer, president of Kelton Research, adding that now it’s “harder for parents to save money.”
Gina Lincicum, a stay-at-home mother of an 8-year-old boy and 5-year-old twins, said it’s tough to keep a budget in check when shopping with kids.
So this year, she has decided to order her children’s clothing online and then have them try it on at home, where they won’t be tempted by more expensive duds. (Lincicum, the blogger behind the site Moneywisemoms.com, said she is waiting until late September to do this so she can catch deals.)
“When we’re out, my son says, ‘I want that Mario T-shirt,’ ” said Lincicum, whose family has been feeling the stress of the high cost of living in their northern Virginia town. “I’m like, ‘Wait a second, you have enough T-shirts to get you through two years.’ ”
Sue Werle took a similar approach when she decided to exclude her four children, ages 2 to 8, from back-to-school shopping trips.
Werle, who lives in Sherwood, Ore., opted to buy most of her kids’ school supplies online because she could take her time and ensure she was getting the lowest price — a feat she says is impossible when she brings the kids to the store because they are impatient and want a lot of unnecessary things. For instance, her 8-year-old son insists on Skechers-brand shoes, which can run between $36 and $60 in his size.
“It’s hard when you know those Hot Wheels pencils are just really cool,” said Werle, who opted for very basic school supplies but decided to allow each child to pick out one bigger, special item, such as a backpack or pair of shoes. “But when you’re trying to stick to a budget, you have to go, ‘What’s going to matter to my child in the long run — that they have a cool backpack or the pencil that in two weeks is going to be lost, broken or chewed on?’ ”
Laura Train decided to do her back-to-school shopping without her kids even knowing. Train, who works for the Social Security Administration in Baltimore County, Md., picked up school supplies at Target while her two children were out of town in Texas this summer.
Between clothing and supplies, she budgeted $500 for both kids, and so far she hasn’t gone over. But her kids are at an age — 11 and 14 — that she didn’t feel comfortable buying everything without their input. Train did her best, though, getting basic, inexpensive items in colors she thought they would like. She even picked up one item for her daughter that wasn’t on the list.
“I got her a mirror for her locker,” Train said. “She thought that was pretty cool.”
2011年9月9日星期五
Children excluded from school shopping?
Anyone who has taken their kids back-to-school shopping knows how hard it can be to resist pleas for a Dora the Explorer folder or a Lightning McQueen lunchbox. But this year, some parents have been testing a new strategy: leaving the little ones at home.
Parents are being squeezed by stagnant wages and rising costs, not to mention a growing list of classroom supplies that teachers request they buy. But kids want the Nike shoes and Abercrombie & Fitch tees they see in ads every day; never mind the cost. They also don't like to be dragged from store-to-store while their parents comparison shop. As a result, only 56 percent of parents say they're bringing their kids along for back-to-school shopping this year, down from 80 percent last year, according to marketing data firm America's Research Group.
"One of the best ways to save money is to do the shopping and bring it home and say, 'Here are your back-to-school clothes,'" says ARG president C. Britt Beemer. "When children are along, pleasing them and avoiding a tantrum is an easier choice than trying to say 'no way.'"
Gayle Strickland Jones, who lives in Middletown, Del., decided to handle the back-to-shopping this year without her children after her ten-year-old son pleaded for an $8 pair of titanium scissors at Staples — just because they were cool. On a solo trip, she ended up buying a $3 basic pair of scissors at Walmart instead.
Similarly, Jones, who works at DuPont, was able to save money on purchases for her daughter. Last year, Jones bought her seventh-grade daughter a new backpack with polka dots, so this year, the girl requested that all her school supplies be in zebra print. As a compromise, Jones picked up a two-pack of zebra-print erasers for $1.
Ultimately, shopping without the kids saves Jones money, which is important since her husband was laid off from his sales job earlier this year. She spent just $75 on school supplies this year __ much less than she says she spent last year __ and even less than if the kids had been with her.
"They would not only be pickier but wanting things they don't necessarily need," Jones says about shopping with her kids.
To be sure, children have always bugged their parents to buy unnecessary doodads. A generation ago, kids begged their parents for Legos and My Little Pony after watching commercials for the toys during Saturday morning cartoons. But that was the extent of their brand exposure.
Now, kids are being marketed to on several digital channels from the time they can talk. In total, companies spend roughly $17 billion per year advertising to kids, up from $100 million in 1983, according to the nonprofit group Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood. And children under eight are the most susceptible to marketing because they interpret ads literally, not understanding that the intent is to drive sales.
"If you show it to kids enough, they're going to want it," says Sandra Calvert, director of the Children's Digital Media Center at Georgetown University.
That's put a new level of pressure on parents at a time when they're looking to spend conservatively in the down economy. The average family with kids in grades kindergarten through 12 plans to shell out $604 for clothes, school supplies and electronics this year, down slightly from $606 last year
But in a 2011 back-to-school shopping survey by market-research firm Kelton Research, most parents said that, more often than not, their kids push them to buy certain products or brands. And almost one in two parents said they feel pressure to buy the highest-quality or costliest items for their children.
"When I was a kid, I used to pester my parents for name brand shoes, but I had much less access and I was much less marketed to," says Gareth Schweitzer, president of Kelton Research, adding that now it's "harder for parents to save money."
Gina Lincicum, a stay-at-home mother of an eight-year-old boy and five-year-old twins, says it's tough to keep a budget in check when shopping with kids. So this year, she's decided to order her children's clothing online, then have them try it on at home, where they won't be tempted by more expensive duds.
Parents are being squeezed by stagnant wages and rising costs, not to mention a growing list of classroom supplies that teachers request they buy. But kids want the Nike shoes and Abercrombie & Fitch tees they see in ads every day; never mind the cost. They also don't like to be dragged from store-to-store while their parents comparison shop. As a result, only 56 percent of parents say they're bringing their kids along for back-to-school shopping this year, down from 80 percent last year, according to marketing data firm America's Research Group.
"One of the best ways to save money is to do the shopping and bring it home and say, 'Here are your back-to-school clothes,'" says ARG president C. Britt Beemer. "When children are along, pleasing them and avoiding a tantrum is an easier choice than trying to say 'no way.'"
Gayle Strickland Jones, who lives in Middletown, Del., decided to handle the back-to-shopping this year without her children after her ten-year-old son pleaded for an $8 pair of titanium scissors at Staples — just because they were cool. On a solo trip, she ended up buying a $3 basic pair of scissors at Walmart instead.
Similarly, Jones, who works at DuPont, was able to save money on purchases for her daughter. Last year, Jones bought her seventh-grade daughter a new backpack with polka dots, so this year, the girl requested that all her school supplies be in zebra print. As a compromise, Jones picked up a two-pack of zebra-print erasers for $1.
Ultimately, shopping without the kids saves Jones money, which is important since her husband was laid off from his sales job earlier this year. She spent just $75 on school supplies this year __ much less than she says she spent last year __ and even less than if the kids had been with her.
"They would not only be pickier but wanting things they don't necessarily need," Jones says about shopping with her kids.
To be sure, children have always bugged their parents to buy unnecessary doodads. A generation ago, kids begged their parents for Legos and My Little Pony after watching commercials for the toys during Saturday morning cartoons. But that was the extent of their brand exposure.
Now, kids are being marketed to on several digital channels from the time they can talk. In total, companies spend roughly $17 billion per year advertising to kids, up from $100 million in 1983, according to the nonprofit group Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood. And children under eight are the most susceptible to marketing because they interpret ads literally, not understanding that the intent is to drive sales.
"If you show it to kids enough, they're going to want it," says Sandra Calvert, director of the Children's Digital Media Center at Georgetown University.
That's put a new level of pressure on parents at a time when they're looking to spend conservatively in the down economy. The average family with kids in grades kindergarten through 12 plans to shell out $604 for clothes, school supplies and electronics this year, down slightly from $606 last year
But in a 2011 back-to-school shopping survey by market-research firm Kelton Research, most parents said that, more often than not, their kids push them to buy certain products or brands. And almost one in two parents said they feel pressure to buy the highest-quality or costliest items for their children.
"When I was a kid, I used to pester my parents for name brand shoes, but I had much less access and I was much less marketed to," says Gareth Schweitzer, president of Kelton Research, adding that now it's "harder for parents to save money."
Gina Lincicum, a stay-at-home mother of an eight-year-old boy and five-year-old twins, says it's tough to keep a budget in check when shopping with kids. So this year, she's decided to order her children's clothing online, then have them try it on at home, where they won't be tempted by more expensive duds.
2011年9月8日星期四
Foot Locker Getting Into Better Shape
Foot Locker (FL) is a major retailer of athletic shoes and apparel that has been adding muscle and losing fat, generating more sales and profit without expanding its international chain of stores.
The New York City company earned $131 million in the six months ended July 30, more than double its net income in the same period last year.
Sales rose in the February to July period to $2.72 billion, up almost 15 percent from first half of the last fiscal year. Comparable store sales increased 12.3 percent, year over year, in the six month period.
Foot Locker had 3,407 stores at the end of July, 19 fewer than six months earlier. The company gradually has reduced the size of its chain by more than 500 stores since early 2007. The retailer operates stores in the United States and 21 other countries under its flagship Foot Locker brand and other trade names, including Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, and Champs Sports.
Improved profit margins have pushed more sales dollars to the bottom line. Net income as a percentage of sales increased to 4.9 percent in the six months ended in July, up from 3.3 percent in the last fiscal year and 1 percent in the prior year.
Reduced restructuring costs have helped. Foot Locker's asset impairments and other non-recurring charges dropped to $10 million in the last fiscal year from $41 million in fiscal 2010 and $259 million in fiscal 2009.
Foot Locker depends heavily on the popularity of footwear and other products from Nike (NKE). Products from the Beaverton, Ore., shoe company accounted for almost two-thirds of Foot Locker's sales in fiscal 2011. Nike's total sales increased 9.7 percent in the fiscal year ended May 31 to $20.8 billion, reversing an annual decline in sales the previous year.
Credit upgrade
Credit rating agency Moody's in early September revised its rating outlook for Foot Locker to positive from stable and affirmed all existing ratings for the retailer, including its Ba3 corporate family rating.
"Foot Locker's credit metrics have improved significantly over the past year, driven by double-digit comparable sales growth and operating margin improvements," Moody's analysts Mariko Semetko and Alexandra S. Parker wrote in a Sept. 1 report.
Foot Locker has paid cash dividends of 60 cents per share in each of the last three fiscal years. But Wall Street has a split view of the stock's appreciation potential. In early September, half of the securities analysts following the company recommended buying its stock and half of them had neutral hold ratings on the stock.
Foot Locker will release its next quarterly financial report around Nov. 18.
The New York City company earned $131 million in the six months ended July 30, more than double its net income in the same period last year.
Sales rose in the February to July period to $2.72 billion, up almost 15 percent from first half of the last fiscal year. Comparable store sales increased 12.3 percent, year over year, in the six month period.
Foot Locker had 3,407 stores at the end of July, 19 fewer than six months earlier. The company gradually has reduced the size of its chain by more than 500 stores since early 2007. The retailer operates stores in the United States and 21 other countries under its flagship Foot Locker brand and other trade names, including Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, and Champs Sports.
Improved profit margins have pushed more sales dollars to the bottom line. Net income as a percentage of sales increased to 4.9 percent in the six months ended in July, up from 3.3 percent in the last fiscal year and 1 percent in the prior year.
Reduced restructuring costs have helped. Foot Locker's asset impairments and other non-recurring charges dropped to $10 million in the last fiscal year from $41 million in fiscal 2010 and $259 million in fiscal 2009.
Foot Locker depends heavily on the popularity of footwear and other products from Nike (NKE). Products from the Beaverton, Ore., shoe company accounted for almost two-thirds of Foot Locker's sales in fiscal 2011. Nike's total sales increased 9.7 percent in the fiscal year ended May 31 to $20.8 billion, reversing an annual decline in sales the previous year.
Credit upgrade
Credit rating agency Moody's in early September revised its rating outlook for Foot Locker to positive from stable and affirmed all existing ratings for the retailer, including its Ba3 corporate family rating.
"Foot Locker's credit metrics have improved significantly over the past year, driven by double-digit comparable sales growth and operating margin improvements," Moody's analysts Mariko Semetko and Alexandra S. Parker wrote in a Sept. 1 report.
Foot Locker has paid cash dividends of 60 cents per share in each of the last three fiscal years. But Wall Street has a split view of the stock's appreciation potential. In early September, half of the securities analysts following the company recommended buying its stock and half of them had neutral hold ratings on the stock.
Foot Locker will release its next quarterly financial report around Nov. 18.
2011年9月7日星期三
Spike Shed offers space for student runners to gather
When you pair the strength of Nike, which espouses “Just Do It,” with Naperville’s award-winning running store Naperville Running Company, magic occurs. And area student runners are the benefactors of this magic.
Away from the track and the pavement, an amazing place recently was established exclusively for our local student runners — an underground store/running museum/meeting space below Naperville Running Company’s store at 34 W. Jefferson Ave., called Spike Shed.
Welcome Spike Shed, a first of its kind in the nation, thanks to the collaboration of Naperville Running Company and Nike, exclusively for student runners, their coaches and parents.
“We wanted to do something uniquely appealing for student teen athletes that was different from the normal running retail experience,” said Kris Hartner, owner of Naperville Running Company.
Spike Shed is a place where running teams can gather (this time of year it’s cross country teams, but come spring, track teams) to talk about their sport, hold meetings, set goals, participate in interactive experiences, even do video confessionals (for example, “I want to run a 4-minute mile.”)
Equipped with turf, bleachers, a giant chalkboard, lockers, iPad’s, a foosball table, hi-tech Polaroid cameras, play stations and running memorabilia, teams come together to listen, learn, play and inspire each other.
Naperville Running Company and Nike staff members are there to educate runners about the latest running equipment and apparel, including spikes. Team members can design their own customized apparel created in the Spike Shed. Parent team meetings have been conducted here, too. One parent recently commented that this has been the best kickoff to their school’s running season because of the camaraderie Spike Shed has fostered among the team and parents.
“Although kids and their parents can certainly buy running gear when they visit Spike Shed, our intent with Nike was less about selling and more about creating a space where teen runners can call their hub — and learn and have fun here,” Hartner says. “Plus, no one else was doing something like this. We kind of like that.”
Who can see inside the underground Spike Shed? This summer, cross country coaches across the region were invited to visit Spike Shed with special team nights. Numerous area teams have visited the Shed so far with groups from 15 to 70 runners. The schedule continues to fill up, and the Shed will be open through the fall sports season — reopening in the spring in time for track teams.
Recently, Naperville Central High School’s girls cross country team, along with coach Aislinn Hicks, visited Spike Shed. After an hour and a half tour, playing, setting goals and having fun, they created customized spikes for their shoes, designed their team workout shirt and remembered why they love to run.
Working with Naperville Running Company was a natural fit for Nike.
“Naperville Running Company is a great retail partner, and it was a perfect fit with Naperville and the Midwest being a hotbed for distance runners,” said Cindy Hamilton, spokesperson for Nike. “We wanted to create a special place for Naperville-area running teams.”
Away from the track and the pavement, an amazing place recently was established exclusively for our local student runners — an underground store/running museum/meeting space below Naperville Running Company’s store at 34 W. Jefferson Ave., called Spike Shed.
Welcome Spike Shed, a first of its kind in the nation, thanks to the collaboration of Naperville Running Company and Nike, exclusively for student runners, their coaches and parents.
“We wanted to do something uniquely appealing for student teen athletes that was different from the normal running retail experience,” said Kris Hartner, owner of Naperville Running Company.
Spike Shed is a place where running teams can gather (this time of year it’s cross country teams, but come spring, track teams) to talk about their sport, hold meetings, set goals, participate in interactive experiences, even do video confessionals (for example, “I want to run a 4-minute mile.”)
Equipped with turf, bleachers, a giant chalkboard, lockers, iPad’s, a foosball table, hi-tech Polaroid cameras, play stations and running memorabilia, teams come together to listen, learn, play and inspire each other.
Naperville Running Company and Nike staff members are there to educate runners about the latest running equipment and apparel, including spikes. Team members can design their own customized apparel created in the Spike Shed. Parent team meetings have been conducted here, too. One parent recently commented that this has been the best kickoff to their school’s running season because of the camaraderie Spike Shed has fostered among the team and parents.
“Although kids and their parents can certainly buy running gear when they visit Spike Shed, our intent with Nike was less about selling and more about creating a space where teen runners can call their hub — and learn and have fun here,” Hartner says. “Plus, no one else was doing something like this. We kind of like that.”
Who can see inside the underground Spike Shed? This summer, cross country coaches across the region were invited to visit Spike Shed with special team nights. Numerous area teams have visited the Shed so far with groups from 15 to 70 runners. The schedule continues to fill up, and the Shed will be open through the fall sports season — reopening in the spring in time for track teams.
Recently, Naperville Central High School’s girls cross country team, along with coach Aislinn Hicks, visited Spike Shed. After an hour and a half tour, playing, setting goals and having fun, they created customized spikes for their shoes, designed their team workout shirt and remembered why they love to run.
Working with Naperville Running Company was a natural fit for Nike.
“Naperville Running Company is a great retail partner, and it was a perfect fit with Naperville and the Midwest being a hotbed for distance runners,” said Cindy Hamilton, spokesperson for Nike. “We wanted to create a special place for Naperville-area running teams.”
2011年9月6日星期二
The reputation chain
The road to globalisation is littered with companies that have been caught out that failed to ensure workers in far away factories are treated properly - and paid properly, or that appropriate steps have been taken to protect the environment in the countries where their products are made.
A couple of months ago Nike had to deal with allegations that workers making its Converse brand shoes in Indonesia were being kicked and slapped, and called dogs and pigs.
And now Apple has come under fire from a group of Chinese environmental organisations for turning a blind eye to environmental pollution in its supply chain.
The allegations are contained in a report, “Pollution spreads through Apple’s supply chain” produced by Friends of Nature, Institute of Public & Environmental Affairs, Green Beagle, Envirofriends, Green Stone, Environmental Action Network.
The report said: “Through our investigations, we discovered that the pollution from some of Apple’s suppliers had already caused severe damage to the environment.
Earlier this year, Apple produced its Supplier Responsibility Report 2011 which highlights the work it is doing in this area. Crucially, its says: “Apple’s procurement decisions take into account a facility’s social responsibility performance, along with factors such as quality, cost, and timely delivery. When social responsibility performance consistently fails to meet our expectations, we terminate business.”
Apple has so far declined to comment publicly on the report, although it is understood to have offered discussions to the authors.
There is no doubt that major corporations have made substantial strides in dealing with these issues. But if Apple and Nike can run into problems, then there can be few that can claim to have dealt with these issues completely.
A couple of months ago Nike had to deal with allegations that workers making its Converse brand shoes in Indonesia were being kicked and slapped, and called dogs and pigs.
And now Apple has come under fire from a group of Chinese environmental organisations for turning a blind eye to environmental pollution in its supply chain.
The allegations are contained in a report, “Pollution spreads through Apple’s supply chain” produced by Friends of Nature, Institute of Public & Environmental Affairs, Green Beagle, Envirofriends, Green Stone, Environmental Action Network.
The report said: “Through our investigations, we discovered that the pollution from some of Apple’s suppliers had already caused severe damage to the environment.
Earlier this year, Apple produced its Supplier Responsibility Report 2011 which highlights the work it is doing in this area. Crucially, its says: “Apple’s procurement decisions take into account a facility’s social responsibility performance, along with factors such as quality, cost, and timely delivery. When social responsibility performance consistently fails to meet our expectations, we terminate business.”
Apple has so far declined to comment publicly on the report, although it is understood to have offered discussions to the authors.
There is no doubt that major corporations have made substantial strides in dealing with these issues. But if Apple and Nike can run into problems, then there can be few that can claim to have dealt with these issues completely.
2011年9月5日星期一
Exclusive! Littlewoods Europe Predicts Top Toys for Christmas 2011
Littlewoods Europe has Predicted the Dream Dozen Toys for Christmas 2011.
Get ahead of the crowds this Christmas with the help of Littlewoods Europe Dream Dozen toy predictions. No more disappointed faces on Christmas morning; Littlewoods Europe has picked out the best children's toys to keep everyone happy.
For interactive fun for all the family, the educational Vtech Tablet with 5"LCD touch screen is a brilliant learning tool with loads of choice to last well beyond Boxing Day.
Perhaps one of the coolest gifts any child could wish for this year has to be Dance Star Mickey, he walks, talks, moonwalks, dances to six different songs and cracks jokes too. Let Serafina from Figitfriends show everyone a thing or two with her great dance moves and she'll dance to your favourite tunes too.
For any budding photographer the Vtech Kidizoom Twist camera is the perfect present. Get snapping with this 2 megapixel camera using the twisting lens: take pictures and movies of your friends then take fantastic self portraits.
If monsters are your little monsters thing then they'll love the latest new Monster High dolls. They're on every wishlist across Europe for Christmas 2011.
For little girls who love playing Mum, the Hello Kitty Coupe Dolls pram is the perfect gift. Or for playing house, the Ladybird Victorian House, with its double opening front panel, dolls and furniture inside is sure to be a winner for Christmas.
For boys who love pretending to be firemen the Matchbox Smokey Fire Truck is a dream gift. With singing, talking and laughing features they'll have hours of fun.
For battlefield enthusiasts the Vortex Nitron from Hasbro provides hours of target practice and the Finn McMissile spy car gives 007 status to any budding secret service agent.
The Millenium Falcon from Lego Star Wars is one of 2011's predicted best sellers, with all the favourite faces included as mini figurines including Hans Solo, Leah and Chewbacca.
What better way to round off the celebrations, over turkey sandwiches and a round of Christmas cake than Monopoly Electric Live, a new, infrared camera to detect the games pieces and non existent dice. Now that's how to transform a classic into a modern day favourite!
A spokesperson at Littlewoods Europe commented: "We hope that our predictions for the top selling toys will help savvy shoppers to make an early start on their shopping so that they can get ahead of the rush and avoid disappointment on the big day."
Get ahead of the crowds this Christmas with the help of Littlewoods Europe Dream Dozen toy predictions. No more disappointed faces on Christmas morning; Littlewoods Europe has picked out the best children's toys to keep everyone happy.
For interactive fun for all the family, the educational Vtech Tablet with 5"LCD touch screen is a brilliant learning tool with loads of choice to last well beyond Boxing Day.
Perhaps one of the coolest gifts any child could wish for this year has to be Dance Star Mickey, he walks, talks, moonwalks, dances to six different songs and cracks jokes too. Let Serafina from Figitfriends show everyone a thing or two with her great dance moves and she'll dance to your favourite tunes too.
For any budding photographer the Vtech Kidizoom Twist camera is the perfect present. Get snapping with this 2 megapixel camera using the twisting lens: take pictures and movies of your friends then take fantastic self portraits.
If monsters are your little monsters thing then they'll love the latest new Monster High dolls. They're on every wishlist across Europe for Christmas 2011.
For little girls who love playing Mum, the Hello Kitty Coupe Dolls pram is the perfect gift. Or for playing house, the Ladybird Victorian House, with its double opening front panel, dolls and furniture inside is sure to be a winner for Christmas.
For boys who love pretending to be firemen the Matchbox Smokey Fire Truck is a dream gift. With singing, talking and laughing features they'll have hours of fun.
For battlefield enthusiasts the Vortex Nitron from Hasbro provides hours of target practice and the Finn McMissile spy car gives 007 status to any budding secret service agent.
The Millenium Falcon from Lego Star Wars is one of 2011's predicted best sellers, with all the favourite faces included as mini figurines including Hans Solo, Leah and Chewbacca.
What better way to round off the celebrations, over turkey sandwiches and a round of Christmas cake than Monopoly Electric Live, a new, infrared camera to detect the games pieces and non existent dice. Now that's how to transform a classic into a modern day favourite!
A spokesperson at Littlewoods Europe commented: "We hope that our predictions for the top selling toys will help savvy shoppers to make an early start on their shopping so that they can get ahead of the rush and avoid disappointment on the big day."
2011年9月1日星期四
Individuality drive and 3D tech make firms go bespoke
We all want to be unique.
Hairstyle like no-one else's in your office, a handmade tie bought in a tiny Parisian boutique, a diamond wedding ring from that exclusive collection.
This global individuality drive combined with the latest technologies has been stimulating companies to produce what used to be off-limits just a while back - mass-oriented bespoke content.
Now websites of firms like Converse, Nike and Keds, for instance, offer the chance to create customised training shoes with just a few mouse clicks - and they cost little more than those from the regular in-store collection.
One click - and the trainer changes from blue to bright yellow; one more - and the laces become green.
As the mouse cursor trots across the screen, you can even change the interior lining and add a cool personalised signature.
So when the shoes get delivered to your doorstep, they will be like no other pair.
Another example is Zazzle - a US online shop that lets you customise products ranging from stylish iPhone cases to T-shirts and skateboards.
"One of the most powerful trends in consumerism is toward individualism - consumers don't want to be spoon-fed the same media, entertainment or products," says the company's co-founder, Jeff Beaver.
"They want to create their own, publish it to the world and leverage new technologies and services to self-express."
Besides choosing from tens of millions of designs and billions of actual product combinations, Zazzle users from around the globe can even upload their own ideas and sell them right there and then.
This way, some 150,000 new products are designed and published every single day, says Mr Beaver.
"The biggest challenge in enabling an effective online customisation experience is that the products don't actually exist yet," he adds.
"That is, we must preview to the user what a product would look like, if it were to be manufactured."
To do that, the firm uses special visualisation technologies, employing techniques similar to those in the film industry to instantaneously render products in three-dimensional space - while also employing computational photography to enable texture mapping for images and designs on the surface of the product.
Bits and atoms
Customisation is nothing new - for ages, people have been able to order on-demand clothes.
But they have often been limited to expensive tailored suits and evening gowns, targeting a select few.
Mass production was totally different.
"If you look at 10 years ago, many firms had a very one-directional approach, the brand was everything - and it told consumers what they would consume," says Jonathan Chippindale from a UK software developer Holition.
"The brand created a look, consumers could buy the look and there wasn't really any variation on it, the look was king."
But the web and ever-evolving technologies changed that, and companies like Holition went even further than simple online customisation techniques.
In a bid to bridge the gap between bits and atoms, Holition created an augmented reality application that lets consumers visualise their newly "self-designed" product - be it a watch, a ring or a garment - directly on them, but in the virtual world.
For instance, on the website of a Swiss watchmaker Tissot, potential buyers launch the software, and and when they look into their webcam, they see themselves on the screen, but wearing a virtual watch.
They can then customise it by choosing different options available to them - a variety of bracelets, colours and other parameters - all while seeing the watch transform itself on their wrist.
Tissot president Francois Thiebaud says that the bespoke experience resulted has allowed the company to sell a lot more watches.
"What makes it really special is the synergy of the touch technology of our Touch collection with the augmented reality functionality - it's the perfect way to get thousands of consumers to experience Tissot and experiment with its features," he adds.
And even if shoppers cannot really design a watch from scratch, they still have a lot more choice than inside a store - so some uniqueness is guaranteed.
Authentic luxury
But once the demands are received, it is often tricky for the consumers to contact the manufacturer in case they change their minds about the chosen colour or material.
Not Just a Label deals with that problem - it serves as an online platform for direct interaction between designers and consumers.
When buyers visit the company's online shop and add a product to the cart, they are first asked to customise - to choose whether they want the ring, for instance, to be gold-plated or silver, bearing a shining diamond or a baby blue sapphire.
As they check out, another box pops up, and customers can add even more requests.
And once a designer starts working on such one-of-a-kind creation, the client can get in touch along the way to make comments and send additional measurements "to produce a truly personalised piece", says the company's co-founder Stefan Siegel.
"We call it authentic luxury. In today's world, money doesn't really distinguish you anymore - there are too many people with money.
"So the future of fashion is individuality - owning something unique and then keeping it for more seasons because it is so unique, and almost like having a story to tell your friends when you wear it."
Hairstyle like no-one else's in your office, a handmade tie bought in a tiny Parisian boutique, a diamond wedding ring from that exclusive collection.
This global individuality drive combined with the latest technologies has been stimulating companies to produce what used to be off-limits just a while back - mass-oriented bespoke content.
Now websites of firms like Converse, Nike and Keds, for instance, offer the chance to create customised training shoes with just a few mouse clicks - and they cost little more than those from the regular in-store collection.
One click - and the trainer changes from blue to bright yellow; one more - and the laces become green.
As the mouse cursor trots across the screen, you can even change the interior lining and add a cool personalised signature.
So when the shoes get delivered to your doorstep, they will be like no other pair.
Another example is Zazzle - a US online shop that lets you customise products ranging from stylish iPhone cases to T-shirts and skateboards.
"One of the most powerful trends in consumerism is toward individualism - consumers don't want to be spoon-fed the same media, entertainment or products," says the company's co-founder, Jeff Beaver.
"They want to create their own, publish it to the world and leverage new technologies and services to self-express."
Besides choosing from tens of millions of designs and billions of actual product combinations, Zazzle users from around the globe can even upload their own ideas and sell them right there and then.
This way, some 150,000 new products are designed and published every single day, says Mr Beaver.
"The biggest challenge in enabling an effective online customisation experience is that the products don't actually exist yet," he adds.
"That is, we must preview to the user what a product would look like, if it were to be manufactured."
To do that, the firm uses special visualisation technologies, employing techniques similar to those in the film industry to instantaneously render products in three-dimensional space - while also employing computational photography to enable texture mapping for images and designs on the surface of the product.
Bits and atoms
Customisation is nothing new - for ages, people have been able to order on-demand clothes.
But they have often been limited to expensive tailored suits and evening gowns, targeting a select few.
Mass production was totally different.
"If you look at 10 years ago, many firms had a very one-directional approach, the brand was everything - and it told consumers what they would consume," says Jonathan Chippindale from a UK software developer Holition.
"The brand created a look, consumers could buy the look and there wasn't really any variation on it, the look was king."
But the web and ever-evolving technologies changed that, and companies like Holition went even further than simple online customisation techniques.
In a bid to bridge the gap between bits and atoms, Holition created an augmented reality application that lets consumers visualise their newly "self-designed" product - be it a watch, a ring or a garment - directly on them, but in the virtual world.
For instance, on the website of a Swiss watchmaker Tissot, potential buyers launch the software, and and when they look into their webcam, they see themselves on the screen, but wearing a virtual watch.
They can then customise it by choosing different options available to them - a variety of bracelets, colours and other parameters - all while seeing the watch transform itself on their wrist.
Tissot president Francois Thiebaud says that the bespoke experience resulted has allowed the company to sell a lot more watches.
"What makes it really special is the synergy of the touch technology of our Touch collection with the augmented reality functionality - it's the perfect way to get thousands of consumers to experience Tissot and experiment with its features," he adds.
And even if shoppers cannot really design a watch from scratch, they still have a lot more choice than inside a store - so some uniqueness is guaranteed.
Authentic luxury
But once the demands are received, it is often tricky for the consumers to contact the manufacturer in case they change their minds about the chosen colour or material.
Not Just a Label deals with that problem - it serves as an online platform for direct interaction between designers and consumers.
When buyers visit the company's online shop and add a product to the cart, they are first asked to customise - to choose whether they want the ring, for instance, to be gold-plated or silver, bearing a shining diamond or a baby blue sapphire.
As they check out, another box pops up, and customers can add even more requests.
And once a designer starts working on such one-of-a-kind creation, the client can get in touch along the way to make comments and send additional measurements "to produce a truly personalised piece", says the company's co-founder Stefan Siegel.
"We call it authentic luxury. In today's world, money doesn't really distinguish you anymore - there are too many people with money.
"So the future of fashion is individuality - owning something unique and then keeping it for more seasons because it is so unique, and almost like having a story to tell your friends when you wear it."
All white for game time: Nike unveils Boise State Pro Combat uniforms
It seems as if it’s going to become a tradition year-in for Boise State to don Nike’s sophisticated and high-tech Pro Combat uniforms.
Last year’s uniform worn against Virginia Tech, was intriguing but nothing too extreme: a grey-based uniform with a blue bronco on the right shoulder completed with blue pants, blue shoes and blue helmets. However, with all the controversy regarding the Broncos’ home uniforms and its correlation to the blue turf from the Mountain West presidents, the word blue has nearly turned into a forbidden four letter word amongst other universities in terms of Boise State.
Nike worked around the obstacle and came up with an all white uniform.
Let’s just say Georgia fans should hope there isn’t freak snow storm in Georgia during Saturday night’s game. But, the new jerseys do come with innovating new features: a flywire collar that keeps the jersey in place without adding weight, deflex padding and chain mail mesh to provide two-way airflow to cool and wick sweat off players, a key factor in keeping up with the East Coast humidity (something the Broncos struggled with against Virginia Tech last year). Also, the vapor carbon gloves with the recognizable Bronco logo provide extra durability and grip.
Personally, I’m always impressed in what Nike has to offer come football season. The new attire gives fans and the college football community a reason to want the sporting company to continue to provide college jerseys and sporting apparel.
However, in regards to the new Boise State jersey, it may be a little too white for my liking. The blue-outlined, white helmet adds a new flare Bronco fans are not used to, but the white jersey on top of the white pants may be a bit too overbearing.
Let’s just hope these jerseys blind the eyes of UGA players as much as they do mine.
Last year’s uniform worn against Virginia Tech, was intriguing but nothing too extreme: a grey-based uniform with a blue bronco on the right shoulder completed with blue pants, blue shoes and blue helmets. However, with all the controversy regarding the Broncos’ home uniforms and its correlation to the blue turf from the Mountain West presidents, the word blue has nearly turned into a forbidden four letter word amongst other universities in terms of Boise State.
Nike worked around the obstacle and came up with an all white uniform.
Let’s just say Georgia fans should hope there isn’t freak snow storm in Georgia during Saturday night’s game. But, the new jerseys do come with innovating new features: a flywire collar that keeps the jersey in place without adding weight, deflex padding and chain mail mesh to provide two-way airflow to cool and wick sweat off players, a key factor in keeping up with the East Coast humidity (something the Broncos struggled with against Virginia Tech last year). Also, the vapor carbon gloves with the recognizable Bronco logo provide extra durability and grip.
Personally, I’m always impressed in what Nike has to offer come football season. The new attire gives fans and the college football community a reason to want the sporting company to continue to provide college jerseys and sporting apparel.
However, in regards to the new Boise State jersey, it may be a little too white for my liking. The blue-outlined, white helmet adds a new flare Bronco fans are not used to, but the white jersey on top of the white pants may be a bit too overbearing.
Let’s just hope these jerseys blind the eyes of UGA players as much as they do mine.
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