The Sports Authority to Triple Nautilus Group Product Assortment
In addition to substantially boosting the number of Nautilus Group exercise equipment stock keeping units (SKUs) to nearly ten per store, the merchandising alliance includes testing a new on-floor branded concept first in 15 retail operations in the Northeast. Designated portions of Sports Authority's on-floor fitness equipment pad labeled "Make Room For Fitness?," will showcase high-profile brands and educate consumers how to achieve the best results with their home exercise equipment. The assortment will include stationary bicycles, home gyms, and conventional strength and cardiovascular equipment, bearing either Schwinn®Fitness or Bowflex® brands. The companies also will introduce new promotional programs for the high-volume winter shopping season.
"Having a substantial assortment of highly-regarded brands that are strongly supported through marketing will go a long way toward strengthening the fitness equipment space in our stores," said Doug Morton, chairman, CEO and president of Sports Authority. "Initially in the test locations, shoppers will see Schwinn Fitness or Bowflex products represented in each of the major components of our fitness equipment assortments. This should help customers make easier selections, increase traffic in our stores, and improve our equipment sales."
"We are pleased to see our product assortment become more complete at Sports Authority, and are looking forward to introducing new marketing and promotional programs going forward with this leading sporting goods company," said Gregg Hammann, chairman and CEO of The Nautilus Group.
Hammann said people shopping at Sports Authority will see Bowflex® brands on free weights, strength cages, and cardiovascular products, in addition to the highly popular home gyms that use power rods for muscle resistance.
The Sports Authority
The Sports Authority, headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, is one of the nation's largest full-line sporting goods retailers offering a comprehensive high-quality assortment of brand name sporting apparel and equipment at competitive prices. As of October 30 , 2004, The Sports Authority operated 390 stores in 45 states under The Sports Authority ®, Gart Sports®, Sportmart®, and Oshman's® names. The Company's e-tailing websites, located at thesportsauthority.com, gartsports.com, sportmart.com and oshmans.com, are operated by GSI Commerce, Inc. under license and e-commerce agreements. In addition, a joint venture with AEON Co., Ltd. operates "The Sports Authority" stores in Japan under a licensing agreement.
The Nautilus Group
Headquartered in Vancouver, Wash., The Nautilus Group, Inc. (NYSE: NLS) helps people achieve a fit and healthy lifestyle through proper exercise, rest and nutrition. With a brand portfolio that includes Nautilus®, Bowflex®, Schwinn®Fitness, StairMaster® and Trimline®, The Nautilus Group manufactures and markets a complete line of innovative health and fitness products through direct, commercial and retail channels. The company was formed in 1986 and had 2003 revenues of about $500 million. It has nearly 1,100 employees and operations in Washington, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, Illinois, Virginia, Switzerland, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, and other locations around the world. More information is at www.nautilus.com.
This press release includes forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause The Nautilus Group's actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include availability of media time and fluctuating advertising rates, a decline in consumer spending due to unfavorable economic conditions, expiration of important patents, its ability to effectively develop, market, and sell future products, its ability to effectively identify and negotiate any future strategic acquisitions, its ability to protect its intellectual property, unpredictable events and circumstances relating to international operations including its use of foreign manufacturers, government regulatory action, and general economic conditions. Please refer to our reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, for a further discussion of these risks and uncertainties. We also caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances after the date they were made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
CONTACTS: The Nautilus Group, Inc. Ron Arp (360)418-6169
Integrated Corporate Relations, Inc. John Mills (310)395-2215--(203)222-9013