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SGB Sports & Outdoor February
Thanks to time constraints, we're a little lighter on pages this issue but the content hasn't suffered. One of the key parts is a competition where you can win stock for your shop - following on from our article on Design IQ's workplay bags, you can now win a complete line for your shop and there's some great runner's up prizes too. It's money for nothing!
Editor's Choice
Skins, in support of my London Marathon attempt later this year, have supplied a pair of half tights, a short-sleeve top, long tights and travel/recovery tights to aid my efforts. After just a few uses, I'm completely sold on their value and usefulness. If a keen amateur can get such satisfaction from a product, goodness knows what benefits there are for top athletes.
Ron Hill racks up 150,000
Not many cars manage to rack up 150,000 miles on their odometers so when Ron Hill, the former European and Commonwealth Marathon Champion, achieved this feat it became another major accomplishment to add to his long list.
Canterbury NZ supports international rugby scholarship
Innovative sportswear manufacturer Canterbury NZ has funded an international scholarship to enable South African rugby player Dan Potgieter to study and train at Loughborough University for a year.
Aqua Sphere enjoys UK growth; invests in merchandising units
Aqua Sphere UK ended 2007 in its strongest position yet, announcing a 50 per cent year-on-year sales increase and healthy organic growth. Since the brand entered the UK in 2003, high quality accounts have been strategically acquired and each year the brand has expanded its innovative product range, most recently adding performance swimwear to its goggle and mask essentials to give the UK retailer a comprehensive resource of swim and triathlon products.
Molten Sponsors Futsal Premier league
Molten, the world's largest manufacturer of quality sports balls, is to sponsor the UK's Futsal Premier League - and the new design Molten Futsal GOLAZO ball is to be the League's official match ball.
Anatom to distribute teko socks
Anatom has been appointed as the UK and European distributor for the US-based performance sock brand teko. When launched in the US in 2004 teko added a new meaning to sustainability by utilising environmentally sound recycled, recyclable and fully sustainable materials throughout its entire sock range and packaging.
IFM deal with SMS creates world's biggest sport & sponsorship research group
In one of the busiest years ever for sports research, IFM International Sportanalysen GmbH (IFM), the large German research consultancy, has acquired the majority shareholding of Britain's Sports Marketing Surveys (SMS) to form the world's biggest specialist company in sports research, evaluation and media analysis.
"Until Then"... PUMA excites consumers with 2008 ad campaign
PUMA's new primetime football campaign is under the name "Until Then" and promotes its new v1.08 performance concept.
The futuristic-looking ad was shot in London, edited in Los Angeles and features global PUMA stars Samuel Eto'o, Gianluigi Buffon, Nicolas Anelka, Fredrik Ljungberg, Peter Crouch, Alexander Frei and Mario Gomez in television, print, retail and online adaptations. Other players will also appear in print and retail versions at the local level.
Saucony introduces Complete ShoeLab Startup Package
Saucony were the first brand to take a mobile analysis system around the UK running specialist network when the ShoeLab was born over four years ago. Now, exclusively to it's retailers, Saucony is offering a ShoeLab package consisting of the exclusive ShoeLab software, Dell PC and monitor, digital video camera, tripod, connection and all-importantly, training and 12 months telephone support from the UK distributor.
Collingwood re-signs with Slazenger
Slazenger and England One Day International Captain Paul Collingwood have agreed to extend their successful partnership for a further three years. Slazenger will provide him with cricket bats and a range of other cricket equipment until December 2010.
New Sports and Play Equipment Exhibition - Play Fair
Play Fair 2008 at Stoneleigh Park on 15-16 July 2008, is a new exhibition designed to interest buyers, specifiers, sport, leisure and play workers from local government, education, landscape design and the commercial sector. This highly focused, two-day event will be packed with free seminars, displays, demonstrations, trade stands - and a large playground feature set in the well-known Royal Showground at Stoneleigh near Coventry. Visitors will be able to see everything in one place on one day.
Prostar lands international team kit deal
Wakefield-based sportswear brand Prostar has landed its first international team kit deal - with the Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA) as they embark on a bid for World Cup qualification in South Africa in 2010.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Ecco: Michael Waack is Head of Global Golf
Michael Waack is the new Head of Global Golf and in this function responsible for branding, retail, and sales. The 50-year-old oscillates between the Danish headquarters in Tønder and the German headquarters in Hamburg. In 2006, Ecco made a turnover of altogether 600 million Euro.
Triathlon
It's an oft-bandied sentence - triathlon is probably the fastest growing sport among young women in the UK. Its appeal is obvious, as many people that take up the challenge are already enjoying one of the disciplines, usually either running or cycling.
Independent sports retailers join the club for supplying team strips
It may seem an attractive proposition, and club or team kit wear represents a growing sector, but for most independent sports' retailers maintaining stocks and ensuring good quality after-sales often precludes their profiting from this market.
ASICS
For a large proportion of runners, they look no further than ASICS. But the brand is also working hard in rugby, football and much, much more. We spoke to Eoin Treacey, Marketing Manager, to find out more about this forward-thinking, independent-friendly brand...
Carlton releases broad new Badminton range
Carlton has released a new Powerblade range for 2008 to add to their existing portfolio of badminton rackets. The models in this range include the Powerblade 7000, 6000, 5000, 4000, 3000 and 2000.
Karakal Superlight - Evolution by Design
Karakal have been at the forefront of superlight technology for the last 10 years with its groundbreaking Squash and Badminton Rackets that use advanced next generation Nano superlight technology. The result is a stronger more stable racket with enhanced feel and control.
OPROshield takes market by storm
For over 10 years OPRO has been manufacturing custom-fit mouthguards at its Hertfordshire headquarters.As well as supplying the England,Wales and Scotland rugby teams and all 12 Guinness Premiership Clubs, OPRO provide mouthguards for international athletes, amateur sportsmen and women and schoolchildren from all over the world.
The Innovative Sports Marker Cone Collector
ConeChamp collects, stacks and stores sports marker cones, such as saucer cones and hurdle cones.
New addition to the Buff range
From March next year there will be a new addition to the Buff range of multifunctional headwear - Buff Headband.Designed and manufactured as a direct result of consumer feedback, Buff Headband offers the same improved wicking performance as their other Coolmax products but with less fabric bulk. The double layer of Coolmax Extreme fabric is less than a third of the width of Original Buff and can be worn comfortably under a helmet or on its own to keep sweat out of your eyes.
Saucony launches RunAnywhere
Following Saucony's record breaking 2007, showing 11 per cent growth across the board, a new RunAnywhere off-road range is to be launched in Autumn 2008. The RunAnywhere line up builds on Saucony's highly popular off-road range. On the back of supporting some of the biggest off-road races in the UK, such as the English National Cross Country Championships, the Saucony trail running line-up is already the market leader.
Sorbothane Launch new improved Shockstopper+ insoles.
New Improved Sorbothane Shockstopper+ insoles are scientifically proven to absorb harmful shock waves associated with foot strike ensuring that all outdoor enthusiasts can do what they love to do, longer. The advanced new range from the market leading insole brand is designed for even greater shock dispersal and have been developed with a new lightweight streamlined construction.
Physicool : athlete cooling
Physicool announce the appointment of ASSIST creative resources Ltd as the UK's distributor of the Physicool range of reusable therapeutic cooling bandages. Physicool is a ready to use bandage that cools quickly to reduce excess swelling and discomfort after injuries compression enhances this effect.
Samurai Body Armour
Samurai body armour is a formidable addition to your rugby essentials. Constructed from some of the most technical fabrics available and specifically manufactured to fit comfortably on your body, soft feel Mesh inserts allow exceptional breathability and the garment's integral pockets allow you to choose exactly where you want the most protection.
JACK MEETS...... a deafening silence
Month by month, for very many more months than he cares to count, Jack Lynes has been reporting on personalities in the trade and their successes and problems, their products and thoughts. But his reports have usually been accompanied by his own thoughts which have come about as a result of his meetings.
Arkwright - The Independent Voice
Having finally got the refurbishment of the flat above the shop completed and appreciative new tenants moved in we misguidedly envisaged regaining some free time. Far from it: the shop burglar alarm started playing up causing broken sleep as we were called out at random hours during the night, my Dad asked me to attend some hospital appointments with him, the car broke down and the cat needed regular trips to the vet. All appears to be back on track now and my Dad didn't seem to notice I took him to the vet instead of the hospital for one check up.
Tesco SKI range - yet more competition...
As if Tesco weren't entering quite enough markets outside of groceries, the company is now offering a range of three products for protecting the skin and lips while skiing.
OutDoor to stay in Friedrichshafen
The European Outdoor Group (EOG) announced at the recent ispo Winter show that the OutDoor Trade Fair will remain in Friedrichshafen, and not move to Munich. Following 18 months of extensive talks, presentations and a vote by members of the European Outdoor Group, the decision to keep the show in Friedrichshafen was announced on the last day of the ispo show in Munich.
Hi-Tec appoints new global mto product manager
Global sports brand HI-TEC SPORTS has appointed Mark Cooper as Global MTO Product Manager.
Grisport goes green
Boots made by Grisport - one of Italy's leading producers of trekking and safety footwear - are about to become the greenest in the world.
Hawkshead announces new Brand Director
British outdoor clothing and accessories brand Hawkshead has announced the appointment of Brand Director Richard Utting.
Richard started work in January and has been charged with the responsibility of leading Hawkshead retail and direct back to former glory.
Vango launches 2008 national sales promotion
Camping equipment and accessories specialists Vango have teamed up with leading Camping & Caravan Club and Forest Holidays to offer its customers a free night's camping as part of its 2008 national sales promotion.
Mieego
Young snowsports enthusiast Philippa Lacey had had enough of what she saw as poorly designed gear for women - so she decided to do something about it. The result is Mieego, a smart range of tees and vests made in the UK that appeals to a broad cross section of female customers; menswear and more follows. Read on...
brasher
brasher's Sales Director, Steve Fowler, has been with the company for 13 years and few people know the brand the way he does. He explained to SGB exactly what their online trading agreement means in real terms.
Ispo 08 Winter
More than 2000 exhibitors and 64000 visitors, the official numbers say; it's easy to believe. The Munich Trade Fair Centre is so vast, you could have accommodated at least double that number of visitors and never hit a crowd.
Craghoppers announces new SW08 range
Outdoor adventure and travel clothing company Craghoppers have pulled out all the stops to create a stylish selection of outdoor and travel performance wear that is as good as it gets. The new Craghoppers clothing range for Autumn Winter 2008 has retained the clear focus on ‘All Year Round Travel'.
brasher launches 'Total Comfort System'
brasher aims to reinforce its commitment to providing supreme comfort with the launch of a unique ‘Total Comfort System' in Autumn/Winter 2008.
Black Diamond Ski Boot: The Factor
With nine new models of Freeride-specific ski boots, Black Diamond is launching a completely new product line for the Winter 2008/2009. Modern freeride skiers have been waiting for boots like this, with the stiffness and power of an alpine boot for the descents and the comfort and function of a touring boot for the ascents.
SOLE ticks the right boxes
SOLE Custom Footbeds & Performance Socks tick all the boxes for the sports enthusiast who demands the best performing products.
