Press Release:

Highlights:

Second quarter 2010 consolidated net sales increased 24 percent to $221.8 million, compared to second quarter 2009 net sales of $179.2 million, including a 2 percentage point benefit from changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

Second quarter 2010 net loss was $10.6 million, or $(0.31) per diluted share, compared to net loss of $9.9 million, or $(0.29) per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2009.

The company raised its outlook for full year 2010 net sales to increase 14 to 16 percent and maintained its outlook for operating margin of approximately 7 percent.

The board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.18 per share, payable on August 26, 2010 to shareholders of record on August 12, 2010.

The company’s cash and short-term investments at June 30, 2010 totaled approximately $398 million with no long-term debt.

Press Release Source: Columbia Sportswear Company On Thursday July 22, 2010, 4:05 pm EDT

PORTLAND, Ore.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Columbia Sportswear Company (NASDAQ:COLM – News), a leading innovator in active outdoor apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment, today announced net sales of $221.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, an increase of 24 percent compared to net sales of $179.2 million for the same period of 2009, with 2 percentage points of that increase resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

Second quarter net loss totaled $10.6 million, or $(0.31) per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $9.9 million, or $(0.29) per diluted share, for the same period of 2009.

Tim Boyle, Columbia’s president and chief executive officer, commented, “Results for the second quarter, our smallest revenue quarter of the year, were better than our April outlook, primarily due to stronger reorders and fewer cancellations in our U.S. wholesale business and higher than expected sales from our retail stores, leading to double-digit growth in every product category.”

“While the consumer retail environment remains uncertain, we are optimistic about the upcoming Fall season, including the global launch of our innovative Omni-Heat™ warmth technologies. Omni-Heat’s launch will be supported by the largest and most highly integrated marketing campaign in the company’s history. In addition, our Sorel® brand is poised to have a breakout year as more leading footwear retailers embrace the brand and more women realize they can get great fashion in a winter boot without sacrificing great performance.”

Second Quarter 2010 Results

The second quarter is the company’s smallest revenue quarter, historically accounting for approximately only 15 percent of annual net sales. As a result, regional, category and brand net sales results often produce large percentage variances in relation to the prior year’s comparable period due to the small base of comparison and shifts in the timing of shipments.

The 24 percent increase in second quarter 2010 sales compared with the second quarter of 2009 was driven by 27 percent growth in the U.S. to $123.7 million; 30 percent growth in the LAAP region to $51.8 million, including a 9 percentage point benefit from changes in foreign currency exchange rates; and 15 percent growth in the EMEA region to $38.6 million, including 1 percentage point negative effect from changes in exchange rates. These increases were partially offset by a 3 percent decline in Canada sales to $7.7 million, including a 13 percentage point benefit from changes in exchange rates. (See “Geographical Net Sales” table below.)

Compared with the second quarter of 2009, second quarter 2010 sportswear sales increased 24 percent to $121.9 million, outerwear sales increased 24 percent to $43.4 million, accessories and equipment sales increased 45 percent to $17.8 million, and footwear sales increased 16 percent to $38.7 million. (See “Categorical Net Sales” table below.)

Columbia® brand sales totaled $199.4 million in the second quarter of 2010, a 23 percent increase compared with the second quarter of 2009. Mountain Hardwear® brand sales increased 39 percent to $18.3 million. Sales of Sorel, Montrail® and Pacific Trail® brand products were insignificant during the second quarter of both years. (See “Brand Net Sales” table below.)

The company ended the second quarter of 2010 with approximately $398 million in cash and short-term investments, compared with approximately $318 million at June 30, 2009. Inventories increased 6 percent to $310.5 million at June 30, 2010, compared to $293.4 million at June 30, 2009.

2010 Financial Outlook

The current economic environment, which involves high unemployment rates in many of our key markets and restricted credit markets for consumers and retailers, among other challenges, reduces the predictability of retailer and consumer demand. All projections related to anticipated future results are forward-looking in nature and are based on backlog and forecasts, which may change, perhaps significantly.

The company raised its outlook for full year 2010 net sales to increase 14 to 16 percent compared with 2009, based primarily on actual first half results, the previously announced 19 percent increase in Fall 2010 order backlog, and incremental direct-to-consumer sales.

2010 gross margins are expected to increase approximately 75 basis points compared to 2009 gross margins of 42.1 percent, due to a higher proportion of full price sales in our wholesale business, an increased proportion of direct-to-consumer sales, and more favorable foreign currency hedge rates, and increased costs to expedite production and delivery of Fall orders to customers.

Selling, general and administrative expenses are expected to increase approximately 75 basis points as a percentage of sales due to a combination of several factors, including the effect of the company’s retail expansion, increased marketing investments to support the global launch of the company’s Fall 2010 products, reinstatement of personnel and benefit programs that were curtailed or postponed in 2009, incremental costs related to IT infrastructure and business process initiatives in preparation for a new multi-year ERP implementation, and transitional costs associated with internalizing the sales organizations in North America and Europe.

As a result, full year 2010 operating margin is expected to approximate full year 2009 operating margin of approximately 7 percent. The company is currently planning a full-year income tax rate of approximately 28 percent.

The company expects a mid-teen percentage increase in third quarter 2010 sales compared with the third quarter of 2009, driven by the previously announced increase in advance seasonal orders, coupled with increased direct-to-consumer sales. Third quarter 2010 operating margin is expected to contract approximately 200 basis points compared with the third quarter of 2009. This expected operating margin contraction consists of approximately 100 basis points of gross margin contraction and 100 basis points of SG&A expansion. The anticipated gross margin contraction is due primarily to incremental costs to expedite production and delivery of Fall 2010 orders. Third quarter SG&A expansion is consistent with the factors contributing to the increase in full year SG&A.

Dividend

The board of directors approved a dividend of $0.18 per share, payable on August 26, 2010 to shareholders of record on August 12, 2010.

Conference Call

 The company will host a conference call on Thursday, July 22, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. To participate, please dial (866)551-3680 in the United States, (212)401-6760 outside the U.S.; Conference ID 9177149#. The call will also be webcast live on the investor information section of the company’s website at www.columbia.com, where it will remain available until October 22, 2010.

Columbia Sportswear plans to report financial results for the third quarter of 2010 on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at approximately 4:00 p.m. EDT. Following the earnings report, the company plans to publish a commentary by Tom Cusick, senior vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer, at approximately 4:15 p.m. EDT to the company’s website at https://investor.columbia.com/results.cfm. A public webcast of Columbia’s earnings conference call will follow at 5:00 p.m. EDT at www.columbia.com.

About Columbia Sportswear

Columbia Sportswear Company is a global leader in the design, sourcing, marketing and distribution of active outdoor apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment. Founded in 1938 in Portland, Oregon, Columbia products are sold in more than 100 countries and have earned an international reputation for innovation, quality and performance. Columbia products feature innovative technologies and designs that protect outdoor enthusiasts from the elements, increase comfort, and make outdoor activities more enjoyable. In addition to the Columbia® brand, Columbia Sportswear Company also owns outdoor brands Mountain Hardwear®, Sorel®, Montrail®, and Pacific Trail®. To learn more, please visit the company’s websites at www.columbia.com, www.mountainhardwear.com, www.sorel.com, and www.montrail.com.