DESCENTE OR DESCENT? DOWNSIZING RAISES QUESTIONS

     Despite recent "downsizing" in CO, Descente North America
President Guy Christie says that parent Descente Ltd. of Japan
"remains committed" to the American market, according to Paula
Moore of the DENVER BUSINESS JOURNAL.  The distributor of upscale
ski and golf apparel still "boasts" global sales in the $1B
range.  But Christie notes because of the "high cost" of
Descente's sportswear, it attracts a "limited market," and
Descente closed its Arena swimwear operation six months ago to
focus on ski and golf clothing.  During the "last several months"
in Denver, Descente has "let go or lost" all of its local upper
management and cut its total staff from 50 to 30.  Descente
sponsors the Canadian, Spanish, Swiss and New Zealand ski teams
as well as pro golfers Bob Tway, David Toms and Keith Clearwater
(DENVER BUSINESS JOURNAL, 10/14 issue).