Next Inc. Procures Grits Inc. Apparel License.

Preliminary Launch with Key Specialty Retailer Extremely Well Received

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Next Inc. (OTCBB:NXTI) an emerging leader in the sportswear and promotional products industry today announced that they have procured an apparel license for Grits Inc., (Girls Raised In The South)

through BMI (Brand Management International), exclusive agent for Grits, Inc.

Grits Inc., www.gritsinc.com is a multimillion-dollar merchandising company specializing in women's apparel. Founded by Deborah Ford, a lifelong Southerner and author of "Grits Guide to Life" (non-fiction book of the Year 2004) and "Puttin' On The Grits", Deborah's third book, (now in bookstores) "Grits Friends Are Forevah" has received rave reviews from critics. A fourth book on Southern men, "Bless Their Hearts", is due for release in October 2006.

Now residing in Fairhope, AL, Deborah is in demand as an "all occasion" speaker, including speeches on Southern Genteel Tradition, Southern Culture, or "how to eat your watermelon in a sun dress." Penguin Publishing named Deborah as one of ten Penguin authors to kick-off a new venture for the company, a speakers bureau managed by the publisher.

Deborah was recently recognized for her talent and accomplishments by being named a 2006 Honoree by the Southern Women's Committee of Fifty, at its eighth annual tribute event in Birmingham.

Joe Ferragina, the Company's Exec VP of Sales stated, "We're very pleased to have procured the Apparel license for Grits. The franchise has a very loyal fan base which has allowed the spawning of numerous derivatives of the brand. In a preliminary launch with one of our key specialty retailers, our Grits offerings sold extremely well. We're looking forward to leveraging the brand allowing our retailers to differentiate themselves in their respective markets."

As part of the Grit's license, Next will market and distribute "Primary Colors by Grits" as part of their collegiate offerings. This program is cross licensed between the various universities and Grits, Inc. and allows Next to expand their product offerings to their existing collegiate retailers. The addition of Primary Colors provides a major inroad to solidifying Next position in the growing ladies collegiate market. The slogans on the garments tie in Grits as well as the school colors and mascot. Example: "Southern Girls Know Their Primary Colors....Crimson and White" along with the University of Alabama logo.

http://www.allbusiness.com/services/business-services/3947545-1.html

Apparel deal is twice as nice.

Specialty retailer of men's and women's apparel, Kuhlman Company has inked two new retail leases totaling 2,600 square feet at 96 Grand Street in SoHo and 209 Columbus Avenue in the Upper West Side.

The CB Richard Ellis Tri-State Retail Services Group negotiated both long-term transactions
on behalf of the buildings' respective ownerships.

In the first transaction, Kuhlman committed to 1,800 s/f of ground floor space at 96 Grand Street, a six-story residential property situated between Mercer and Greene Streets in the heart of SoHo.

Allison Winters of CB Richard Ellis, along with co-broker Andrew Goldberg, negotiated the lease deal on behalf of the building's owner.

Kuhlman also signed a long-term lease for 800 s/f of retail space at 209 Columbus Avenue, one of the City's most sought-after shopping destinations. The new store is slated for a grand opening in Fall 2005.

CBRE's Eric Gelber represented the landlord with co-brokers Stephanie Moore and Andrew Goldberg. Peter Braus of Sierra Realty Corp represented the tenant.

Kuhlman has stores on Madison Ave., Rockefeller Center and Greenwich Village.

http://www.allbusiness.com/operations/facilities-commercial-real-estate/552229-1.html

1998 buyer's guide and directory on team apparel.

As the sporting goods industry rushes toward the approaching millennium, trend spotters are keeping a sharp eye on the two developments of special import to the manufacturers and purchasers of athletic apparel: (1) the greater diversity in the purchasing options of the emerging athletic programs,

and (2) the changing approach to the burgeoning women's sports market.

The sporting goods manufacturers are, more than ever before, providing coaches and athletic directors with options that best fit their specific needs, while providing quality products at affordable prices.

Over the past decade, the needs and purchasing habits of our schools have sharply changed. Schoolmen who ordinarily ordered customized apparel are now facing budgetary and delivery restraints that afford less time for specialized apparel.

This naturally has opened the way for stock ordering. True, stock ordering has its downside in color and style limitations, but the savings in cost offers a distract upside.

Don Alleson Athletics (Rochester, NY) is concentrating more on stock business because it understands that there are athletic programs that won't have their budgets prepared in time to purchase custom apparel.

Todd Levine, vice president of marketing, points out that "Our stock business gives coaches the same high-quality product as well as customizes colors to their specifications, With custom jerseys, you might have to wait 4-6 weeks for delivery. If an athletic program is a little late getting its budget in line, it can still order from our stock line and customize the jerseys with their own colors.

"Over the past two or three years, we have replaced 40 lines of apparel with new upgraded lines that have given our customers a higher price-value ratio."

This practice - giving the customer an opportunity to purchase both custom and stock apparel - is the industry's way of promoting its diversity With so many options to choose from, coaches must rely on the experts to help steer them in the right direction.

Tom Doyle, vice president of Information/Research for the National Sporting Goods Association, acknowledges that the purchasing business is all about relationships:

"It is important for coaches to foster a good relationship with their suppliers. There are much fewer suppliers than there were 10-15 years ago, and the chances are that the coaches will have to deal with a supplier for a long time."


http://www.allbusiness.com/sector-61-educational-services/735919-1.html

Japan: Hokuriku Intensifying Non-Apparel Use

The Hokuriku weaving district is well-known for its lightweight polyester fabrics for women's apparel; however, it is going to make a shift in its structure by developing nonapparel applications because of the continued stagnation in that segment. Firms in this producing district have launched into

a structural conversion, intensifying sportswear, innerwear and uniforms instead of fashion wear. Along with these movements, these firms have expanded the scope of their business into the non-apparel segment including interior goods and industrial materials, based on the technological capabilities that these firms have nurtured for many years. Five years ago, Marubeni Corporation closed its branch in Fukui, one of the centers in the Hokuriku weaving district, but it reopened this branch last fall. The Fukui branch will do business with a focus on the nonapparel segment. Of Marubeni's Hokuriku business, the non-apparel segment already accounts for 60%.


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Golf Apparel Buying Tips for Women

Here are some buying tips for wet season golf gears:

1. Waterproof trousers and jackets. When heavy rain comes, waterproof gears will protect your body from being wet, making sure that you remain totally dry under your trousers and jacket.

Goretex is the material commonly used for such waterproof gears and the most effective and efficient waterproofing material available. It uses an absorbent film either in between textile layers or sealed to a layer. The film openings are tiny enough to keep out water, but big enough to permit air and water vapor to flow and circulate. This is an advantage when one is playing in lengthy rain periods.

When purchasing a waterproof jacket or pair of trousers you must look for an outerwear that comes with a guarantee. The top manufacturers of waterproof gears offer a guarantee of three years and this can be worth the investment.

2. Rainproof golf gears. These gears are not made with Goretex but are usually made from Teflon treated fabric, which has the tendency to hold water from passing through for only a certain period, and will permit air to pass through and may draw liquid through the fabric on long rain exposures.

Lightweight and not so expensive compared to waterproof gears, this is perfect when one plays in short rain showers.

3. Windproof. It is constructed to stop the wind. This is an effective option when one is playing in windy climates. Certain types of windproof gears are likewise Teflon treated offering a minor level of resistance to water, but are not intended to be used in rainy weather. Cheaper than rainproof or water proof gears, they can be a warm alternative to use for cold climates.

Types of golf clothing

1. Jacket. This is very important to keep the golfers upper body warm, dry and still preserve the space so as to swing with flexibility. This is essential when choosing a jacket that is comfortable to wear, looks good and most importantly that allows you to swing well while wearing it.

Choose a jacket that is comfortable, and practice your swings with the jacket on, to insure playability.

2. Trousers. Always put on the trousers and practice it for swings, making sure that you are comfortable with it, as well as able to move about freely. Make sure that it is made of a fiber that is easy to wash and care for.

3. Shirts. Like any type of clothing, be sure to try it on before buying. Make sure that you are comfortable with the material, that it is breathable and the fit allows you to move easily.

Choosing your golf apparel can be a lot of fun. Be careful though, and make sure that all your outfits do match. Choose earth tone colors to play safe. Enjoy shopping!


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Wholesale Apparel

From the beginning, when thinking about the purchase or sale of wholesale apparel, consider that there are many, many categories to work with. You may want to work only with nationwide wholesale apparel liquidators or those who act as middlemen for closeout items from major brands. Some suppliers work with new stores, offering package deals with volume discounts. Other suppliers sell at wholesale prices, but most of their clients are individuals who are seeking the best price on closeout or year-end items.

Beyond the type of wholesale activity, there are categories galore in types of clothing. For example, you may be interested in wholesale apparel in general, but did you know that you can specialize? You may want to buy men's clothing – go directly to a designer brand and get that clothing at a significant discount. Perhaps women's clothing is the area of interest. There are numerous suppliers for just that type of wholesale apparel.

Even in the women's apparel industry, there are subsets. For instance, women's pants suits generate a lot of activity in the wholesale apparel trade (as do skirts and women's hats). But there is more! You can even find wholesale apparel directed at city dwellers. Yes, there are sources for urban wear at wholesale prices!

Look at just one of the areas mentioned earlier. Wholesale designer clothing for women is a huge industry, with liquidators and closeout specialists dealing in exclusive name brands on a daily basis. If you are interested in urban wear, casual wear, formal clothing or items for the young woman, never fear. Contact one reputable supplier and you will find jackets, skirts, dresses, pants, jeans and more, all from some of the most recognized names in the business. One supplier offers packages with up to 500 pieces, at an average price of $7 to $9 per piece. Not sure which area of women's clothing to start with? Try using this list to keep you occupied: halter tops, Capri and Bermuda, pajamas, swimsuits, jeans, jackets, dresses and lingerie.

Another wholesale apparel supplier offers only children's clothing, again from top name brands. These can be overstocked items from retail outlets, closeouts that make room for the new year's designs or salvage items from some unusual situation. As an example, one merchandiser offers a package of 500 pieces for as little as $4 per piece – name brand closeouts for both boys and girls. There are even merchandisers and liquidators who focus on designer maternity clothing – on a wholesale scale. These are all new clothing, usually pre-sorted, with an average cost of $8 per piece for items that may have retailed for up to $40.

If you are searching for wholesale apparel, you need to find wholesale apparel merchants offering top name brands at discount prices. Not a problem. There are even directory companies that specialize in listing contact information for wholesale apparel merchants who offer only name brand, new items. Often these directories and information sources can help you contact the type of wholesale apparel merchandiser you are interested in, whether it is the large-lot supplier for stores or the company that sells individual pieces to one household.

This article may not be copied, altered or used, in whole or in part, without the prior written permission of 4WholesaleUSA.com. All rights reserved.


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Finding great golf gear for older women can be easy

As women are getting older, they also are playing more and more golf. So it’s time to invest in some quality, customized golf gear for older women that will help you have an even better time on the golf course, whether you are looking to improve your game or simply spend several quality hours with some close friends.

Update your look with the latest styles in golf wear for older women. Trade in your long golf slacks for a pair of shorts in a classic cut. You don’t have to be twenty to wear the newer, shorter styles of golf shorts, skirts and skorts. Also look for shorter sleeves and tops in fabrics that absorb moisture so you will feel even more comfortable and have less to worry about while you play.

If you are really looking to improve your game and maybe even break 100, invest in some great golf training aids, including videos, books and more. A golf ball retriever is a handy tool to tuck inside your golf bag; it will help reduce some of your back pain and keep you from bending down so often to pick up your golf ball. Also check out golf ball and golf club cleaning and repair kits, along with personalized accessories such as ball markers and score card holders.

It’s also important to find golf clubs designed for women, especially for older women. The wrong golf clubs can cause a lot of unnecessary pain and discomfort, distracting from the enjoyment of your golf game. Look for custom fit golf clubs in lighter weight materials that still provide maximum performance.

http://www.forehergolf.com/finding-golf-gear-older-women.html