Dick's Sporting Goods 2014 Annual Report Download - page 36

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10
Mass Merchants and Department Stores
These stores generally range from 50,000 to over 200,000 square feet and are primarily located in shopping centers,
freestanding sites or regional malls. Sporting goods merchandise and apparel represent a small portion of the total merchandise
in these stores and the selection is often more limited than in other sporting goods retailers. Although Wal-Mart is currently the
largest retailer of sporting goods as measured by sales, we believe that mass merchants' limited selection, particularly with well-
known brand names, combined with the reduced service levels typical of a mass merchandiser, limit their ability to meet the
needs of sporting goods customers. Department stores may have more selection from well-known brands in athletic apparel and
footwear than mass merchants, but do not typically carry hardline equipment for the sporting goods customer.
Internet and Catalog-Based Retailers
These retailers either focus on a specific category or activity or sell a full line of sporting goods through the use of the Internet
and/or catalogs. We believe that the relationships we have developed with our suppliers and customers through our retail stores,
our growing eCommerce business, our omni-channel capabilities and our merchandise offerings, including a wide range of
exclusive and private brand products, provide us with a significant advantage over internet and catalog-based retailers.
Employees
As of January 31, 2015, we employed approximately 12,000 full-time and 25,600 part-time associates. Due to the seasonal
nature of our business, total employment figures fluctuate throughout the year and typically peak during the fourth quarter.
None of our associates are covered by a collective bargaining agreement. We believe that our relations with our associates are
good.
Proprietary Rights
The Company has a number of registered service marks and trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office,
including various versions of the following: "Acuity", "DBX", "Dick's", "Dick's Sporting Goods", "Field & Stream", "Fitness
Gear", "Golf Galaxy", "Lady Hagen", "MAXFLI", "Nishiki", "Primed", "Quest", "ScoreCard", "ScoreCard Rewards", "Top-
Flite" and "Walter Hagen". The Company also has a number of registered domain names, including "dickssportinggoods.com",
"DICKS.com", "golfgalaxy.com" and "FieldandStreamShop.com". Our trademarks and other intellectual property are subject to
risks and uncertainties that are discussed within Item 1A. "Risk Factors". We have entered into licensing agreements for names
that we do not own, which provide for exclusive rights to use names such as "adidas" (baseball only), "Slazenger" (golf and
racquets), "Louisville Slugger" (hosiery only), "Reebok" (performance apparel) and "Umbro" (performance soccer equipment,
footwear and apparel) for specified product categories and, in some cases, specified channels. These licenses contemplate long-
term business relationships, with substantial initial terms and the opportunity for multi-year extensions. These licenses contain
customary termination provisions at the option of the licensor including, in some cases, termination upon our failure to
purchase or sell a minimum volume of products and may include early termination fees. Our licenses are also subject to risks
and uncertainties common to licensing arrangements that are described within Item 1A. "Risk Factors".
Governmental Regulations
We must comply with various federal, state and local regulations, including regulations relating to consumer products and
consumer protection, advertising and marketing, labor and employment, data protection and privacy, intellectual property, the
environment and tax. In addition, in connection with the sale of firearms in our stores, we must comply with a number of
federal and state laws and regulations related to the sale of firearms, including the federal Brady Handgun Violence Prevention
Act. Ensuring our compliance with these various laws and regulations, and keeping abreast of changes to the legal and
regulatory landscape, requires us to expend considerable resources.
Executive Officers of the Company
The current executive officers of the Company, and their prior business experience, are as follows:
Edward W. Stack – 60, has served as our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since 1984 when our founder and Mr. Stack's
father, Richard "Dick" Stack, retired from our then two store chain. Mr. Stack has served us full-time since 1977 in a variety of
positions, including President, Store Manager and Merchandise Manager.