This is pretty random but we felt worthy of the post for a few reasons. The first being that we like Grenade and have always had high hopes for their success, the second being the fact that the shoes weren’t all that impressive at first glance, and the third being that if anyone is experiencing a 600% increase in sales, its gotta mean good things for everyone. So here it is, Grenade has pre-sold more than 9,000 pairs of kicks for Spring 2010 and footwear has become the most successful part of their business. Who woulda thought? We’ll let you know what happens next.

We normally stay away from the boring businessy stuff but DC hired a new President named Anton Nistl today and sent out a release saying “DC Co-Founder Block Joins with Quiksilver CEO McKnight and Nistl to Return Brand Focus to its Core Skate Roots.” That’s a bold statement and we welcome it. CEO McKnight even goes on to say, “Anton and I will be working in close collaboration with DC co-founder Ken Block with a renewed commitment to refocus the brand on its core skate values including a realignment of product innovation and brand positioning. As we continue to navigate our way through these challenging times, I’m confident that a return to DC’s foundation of core technical skate products, marketing and distribution…will better position us for years to come.” Again, sounds dope…but the dude they hired , although chock full of experience (Baby Phat, Phat Farm, Pastry, Run Athletics, J-41, Esprit, Osh Kosh, Carters, Adidas, Fossil and Saucony) doesn’t have a single skate brand on his resume. Hmmm. Maybe they should’ve just given the job to Dyrdek. Read the whole release after the jump.

In some interesting business news, Ambiguous clothing is launching something called The Circus, a totally online wholesaling system that eliminates the need for tradeshows or meetings at all for that matter. Now select retailers can enroll in the password protected program and get access to an online ordering system as well as marketing collateral and dealer specials. Referring to it as an “online tradeshow,” Ambiguous president David Patri said this, “Buyers that are unable to afford or attend tradeshows will now have a way to view the new line and get a complete feel for the company.” Definitely not a bad concept although there’s still got to be some human contact, no? It will be interesting to see if other brands follow suit.

Last week, NYC’s Rival was featured on Transworld Biz’s Tuesday Top Seller. Today they continue to make the rounds in NY with New York Pipe Dreams. Go here for a look at the current state of affairs at this OG shop with 11 years of heritage.

Illuminati Snowboards founder Lance Pitman has said in an interview with Planet Jackson Hole that the 2008/09 season will be the company’s last. The economy may have something to do with it but from the sound of it, it seems like Pitman is going on to some pretty gnarly things; psychological transformation, Holotropic breathing and transformational coaching being some of them. Go here for the great interview. A last look at the still available 2008 line after the jump. Via Transworld Business.