Aqua Sphere, the leader in high-end innovative swim products which promise comfort and long-lasting performance, is launching a smart new initiative to encourage swimmers of all abilities into the pool.   The brand new men v women Swim Challenge pitches the sexes against each other to raise funds and awareness for breast and prostate cancer.    Promoted across the UK with posters, product packaging stickers, icon placement on print adverts and social media networking on Facebook and Twitter, the new interactive www.swimchallenge.org web site will allow swimmers to log their hours in the water, track their counterparts, monitor their personal progress and help decide the ultimate challenge -  who rules the pool?  Men or women?

The arrangement will result in a single buying platform, trading under the INTERSPORT name, which will draw on the best practice and expertise from both parties to create a powerful UK resource for the independent trade. The merger agreement was struck between INTERSPORT’s General Manager, Barry Mellis, and Peter Bateman the chairman of Allied and was the result of a series of negotiations between the two parties over the last few months.

High performance shoe company UK Gear is planning to expand its operation throughout the UK and into the United States, having secured £1.25 million investment from venture capital firm Catapult. As part of the new set-up for the Warwickshire-based firm, Mike Tomkins has been appointed chairman.

No sooner had Puma announced its two-year team kit and merchandise deal with Championship high flyers Newcastle United, than the famous brand had followed-up with the announcement that it will be supplying Premiership side Burnley for four seasons, starting with the 2010/11 season.

Aqua Sphere’s new Mindanao two-piece is from the brand’s Aqua Fit range, and the company promises it gives swimmers soft touch elasticity, great fit and breathability. Aqua Sphere also offers a broad selection of swimming briefs and shorts for men, and a kids' range for ages 4-10.

Mizuno has set out its stall for the 2010 FIFA World Cup with the introduction of its new Wave Ignitus football boot.

The Wave Ignitus is made from what Mizuno promises to be the highest-grade kangaroo leather, and thanks to the brand’s Dynamotion Fit Engineering, Mizuno claims its latest creation to be the best-fitting power boot on the market.

It was prior to the 2006 World Cup that Lotto Sport Italia became the first brand to launch a football boot without laces, the Zhero Gravity – a boot so sleek it seemed such a shame to get it muddy – and four years on, the Italian company is maintaining its dedication to innovation, by launching its next generation, the Zhero Gravity Ultra.

With over 10 years in the retail environment I have spent many an hour prior to a vital meeting making sure the Windsor knot in my tie was straight and my hair was gelled at just the right 45° angle. You learn early in your career as a sales professional that most decisions are made within the first 10 minutes of a meeting, so first impressions really do count!

Q. The Printwear & Promotion Show is celebrating 21 great years in 2010. Tell us a little bit about how the show has evolved over the years and what's new for 2010?

A. I have been involved with the Printwear & Promotion exhibition since 1993 and although the basics of the event remain unchanged in being an event to bring all that’s best to the garment decoration market, fabric and machine technology, in particular, continue to bring the major changes to the visitor.

Following a major relocation and expansion, quality clothing brand Weird Fish kick started the new decade with major business development and investment plans to secure the company’s ongoing growth.

On the first day of trading this year, Weird Fish opened its doors in Cheltenham to new 42,000 sq ft custom fit warehouse and offices, showrooms and design studios, almost doubling in capacity.

The Kendal Outdoor Retail Show (KORS) has announced the first winners of its KORS Retail Expedition Award, an annual award supporting outstanding expeditions involving outdoor retail staff.

With names like Primus and Hanwag in their stable among many others, Rosker is firmly established in the outdoor market. Now they’re taking on the UK distribution for Fjällräven, and hoping they can bring their magic touch to what is a really practical-looking line incorporating jackets, trousers, fleeces, backpacks and a lot more. Ralph explains to SGB what they will be focussing on for the first 12 months – and also on this spread, we present a range of Fjällräven’s ‘staples’ so you can get a good idea of what this trusted brand can add to your shop…