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Slazenger launch 2008 Cricket collection
If Brand visibility helps sales, then stockists of Slazenger cricket bats, clothing and equipment must surely be happy with the firm’s performance in 2007 and prospects for 2008.
Appropriately staged at Lords in November, England Captain Paul Collingwood, accompanied by Ian Bell, recently awarded the ICC ‘emerging player of the year’ accolade, and England wicket keeper Mathew Prior, batted questions from the National Press in the morning but couldn’t wait to test play with some of them later at the indoor nets. Although the bats are made in India, they are all designed in the UK and made from English willow. They are produced to meet the demands of the players themselves. The three new bat profiles introduced were ‘Pure Blade’, ‘Power Blade’ and the ‘Pro Blade’ as used by Paul Collingwood. The bold Slazenger ‘V’ logo and well recognised Panther are used to good effect and are likely to have tills ringing. (That’s if tills still rang!) These top of the range bats have a RRP of £300.00.
Lightweight but strong in performance describes the new ranges of protective equipment, which includes a striking X-TEC leg guard collection whilst the X-TEC Chamber and Armour-Tec systems claim ‘unrivalled protection’ in the glove category, where moisture management in the form of Micro Vent WRX 100 continues to bring welcome comfort to the player’s hands. The new collection caters for every age and standard of player and the retailer can benefit from good marketing support including slat wall divides, banners, pop-ups illustrating the key sponsored players and a pack of three cube displays.
In a one-to-one chat with Mathew Prior, our correspondent discussed current trends and what might be in store for the future. As a wicketkeeper, he looked first and foremost for comfort. Choosing the right glove was very much an individual choice. It had to feel right, and as with bats, not withstanding the appeal of mail order, it was hard to beat trying on the glove or swinging the bat before making a decision. It is well nigh impossible, considering that the material itself is natural as opposed to being ‘man-made’ for any two bats to be exactly alike. Of course, the glove must protect and the latest technology allows it so to do without sacrificing lightness. One day, and who knows how soon, a material may be developed, we agreed, that will weigh just a matter of ounces, or indeed grams, and be made into a glove which will be like a second skin yet be as protective or even more so than anything we can envisage today. Impossible? Well, what would our grandparents have to say in their youth about all the modern inventions which we enjoy (or suffer, as the case may be) today. Just remember, you read about it first right here, in SGB - Sports and Outdoor!
The sales of cricket bats and equipment are directly related to the success of our players, as is the sale of every sponsored product. Let’s hope that England do well in 2008 and that all our retail readers will enjoy boundary sales in the New Year
