United States Of America : Neill Unveils Swimwear, Girls 7-14 Juniors Line

California-based surfwear firm O'Neill on Wednesday announced the brand will add swimwear and girls 7-14 categories to its juniors line as part of its ambitious expansion drive.

President Kelly Gibson said in a statement the O'Neill swimwear line will be launched to the trade at the SAF show in Miami, in July, and be available in store beginning Fall 2003. Details on girls are forthcoming.

The firm reported that junior sales were up 44 per cent in the first quarter of 2003, while junior accessories grew 90 per cent during the same period.

It also named Tonya La Barrie, formerly a design director of junior and women's apparel for Levi Strauss and Wet Seal, as director of juniors merchandising, and Michelle Devine, previously sales manager for Dickies Girl, to the newly created position of juniors sales manager.

"This is an exciting time for O'Neill juniors," said Gibson. "We have a great team producing killer product and the results are showing at retail."