GART SMARTS? SPORTMART BRACES FOR NATIONAL OVERHAUL

          A four-year plan to update Sportmart stores will begin
     this fall, but "there are no plans to change the name or
     completely overhaul the Sportmart concept," according to
     Mary Ellen Podmolik of the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES.  Gart Sports
     acquired Sportmart in January '98 and Gart Sports President
     & CEO Doug Morton said, "We think there's a lot about
     Sportmart that is very, very strong.  The chain has a very
     strong presence in Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco."
     Gart is "close to finalizing a modified layout for the
     stores that will update displays, lighting and flooring,"
     and will look to add "more upscale merchandise and national
     brands."  Fishing, camping and outdoors products categories
     are also being "expanded" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 4/22).