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First words from the Ed
It’s funny how when the sun shines we all take a different approach to life.
At the end of May, I took my daughter to The Lake District for a much sought after break, and whilst the weather wasn’t quite as warm as it is now, the sun certainly shone on us whilst we embarked on peaceful walks in the stunning countryside and of course, as with any holiday with a child splashing in as much water as possible - be it lake, river, puddle what ever as long as you get wet! In fact, when it comes to kids, weather doesn’t really bother them providing they are in the right gear to enjoy the outdoors and kept either warm or cool (weather dependent) they simply love having fun.
Our main feature this month covers that very subject, (pages 10-12) and with the majority of brands recognising that children (or their parents) are demanding high performance outdoor gear it is an area that is certain to grow! After all, children grow as do their needs - and with government encouragement to create a more active lifestyle for our children outdoor adventure holidays are becoming popular once more. I certainly remember with great fondness the outdoor pursuit centres I attended as a child, and whilst some activities I didn’t keep up, the one thing that never leaves you is the love of the outdoors.
During my trip to the Lakes, I happened to call into an outdoor retailer in Coniston, (Coniston Outdoors - see page 14) a much needed purchase for my daughter was required in the guise of lightweight and water resistant clothing! Needless to say, in chatting to the owners they confirmed that roughly 50% of their sales were currently on kids apparel - it is perhaps of no surprise given the area is designed not just for the serious outdoor activist but also for families. However, the family run business was very proactive when it came to children, with bright and colourful displays of outdoor clothing, I came away purchasing far more items than originally intended!
This month sees the run up to outdoorpreview, the Outdoor Industry Association’s flagship event. With only a few weeks to go, and virtually all of the major brands exhibiting, this event is a must attend for all serious outdoor retailers. (See page 16) Supporting your trade association, which is organised for you, the outdoor retailer in mind should be a given, after all the OIA has not only organised a worthwhile exhibition this year, but given added benefits in the guise of workshops, providing top tips and advice to ensure your business remains profitable. SGB Outdoor will also be exhibiting, and we look forward to seeing as many of you there as possible with your views, news or just for a chat about the wonderful world of the outdoors...
Dawn Davison
Editor
