The North Face continued to expand fast in the fourth quarter of last year in spite of the unseasonable weather in the U.S. and Europe, with a sales increase of 22 percent for the three months. It contributed to an organic sales rise of 19 percent for the Outdoor & Action Sports unit of VF Corporation, which further comprises Vans, Kipling and several other brands. Vans lifted its sales by 24 percent for the quarter. The turnover of the entire Outdoor & Action Sports unit jumped by 81 percent, because it was inflated by the acquisition of Timberland and Smartwool. For the full year, the unit saw its sales climb by 42 percent, with organic growth of 20 percent. Timberland added $713 million to the VF group’s sales for the full year.
