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SGB Sports and Outdoor October
What a month it’s been for the outdoor trade, what with the Outdoor Trade Show recently at Stoneleigh, which I thought was a well-organised and fascinating show; one of those places where decisionmakers go to check out what they will be buying, and people like me can go and learn.
You’ll notice this issue that the outdoor pages of the magazine are all together. From next issue, those pages will be in the centre of the magazine and will have their own cover, so it will be more like a magazine-within-a-magazine. I’d love to hear your feedback on this, as the Outdoor area will grow, expand and evolve over coming months. Let me know what you want to read, and I’ll do my best to supply it.
For the sports trade, it’s not been a bad month at all in some ways. adidas has reportedly had a word with Mike Ashley about the state of his stores, as they don't want their brand associated with shops that look like a jumble sale as discounted product can sometimes be stacked high within.
Also, JJB Sports – following its profit warning recently – has announced it will be scrapping 165 store-in-store deals with Nike and adidas in order to sell more own-brand sportswear labels. There could very well be an opportunity their for the independent retailer to make some money from the ‘sports fashion’ market simply by expanding their trainer sections – after all, it’s unlikely that the power of the brands will wane in the minds of teenagers UK-wide.
Enjoy the magazine – more improvements are afoot, as you’ll see over the next few issues. As always, feedback is welcome – email me on jonbruford@yahoo.co.uk with your thoughts.
Jon Bruford
Editor
