New year, new SGB - Sports and Outdoor. We've made some fairly radical changes to the magazine, and I hope you like them. Our product-led features in the sports section are gone, replaced by a larger area for new products (p22 this issue); this means more pages for real features, about exciting products and technology, and companies you may not know of as a retailer that we think can help you make money.

A superb bit of kit which crosses over between sports and outdoor, this is a multi-tool with a slight twist; the Byrd Rench can be split in two, so each half can be used independently - great for dealing with a screw while gripping a nut, for example.

Reydon Sports has extended their partnership with former England national football manager Graham Taylor for an additional two years. Taylor has acted as official brand ambassador for Reydon's wholly-owned specialist sports brand Precision Training since 2006.

Motorsport engineering specialists BERU f1systems has previewed a prototype of its latest innovation, the Factor 001. The Factor 001 is set to be the ultimate training tool combining innovative design and advanced electronics to record and analyse biometric data.

Adam wore a special pair of PUMA wicket keeping gloves, in support of the McGrath Foundation, during the Boxing Day test at the MCG. With the support of his sponsors, $18,000 for each dismissal taken by Adam during the Boxing Day Test as donated to the McGrath Foundation meaning the organization received $126,000.

England Squash has concluded a three-year title sponsorship agreement with Tecnifibre for the British Junior Open Squash Championships. The event, the most prestigious and longest-established junior event on the world calendar attracting in excess of 450 of the very best players from all corners of the world will now be known as the Tecnifibre British Junior Open. The 2008 event was staged as usual in the renowned Abbeydale and Hallamshire clubs in Sheffield and concluded January 6th.

England rugby pro Josh Lewsey and Wasps team mates James Haskell and Paul Sackey, took time to chill out in their slippers today to support Samaritans' Stress Down Day, taking place on Friday February 1st 2008, and raise awareness of the detrimental effects of stress in the workplace.

Dunlop recently launched their new D Squad programme, a scheme that aims to attract top tennis players worldwide at a junior level, and identify talent for future international player sponsorships with the Dunlop brand.

Slazenger have signed 18-year-old Naomi Cavaday on a three year agreement to provide her with Slazenger QUAD FLEX 270 rackets and a range of tennis equipment.

More and more retailers use video gait analysis to help sell performance running shoes. Mar-Systems, the agents for TEMPLO Lite have used their buying power to put together a ‘Get Started' Gait Analysis Package with everything you need -  laptop, camcorder, software, tripod and cables - for just £999.

New Balance has announced the acquisition of Vital Apparel Group, one of the leading active apparel companies in the United States, based in New York.

Featherstone Rovers RLFC are sporting a new look and kit by teaming-up with Yorkshire firm Prostar, one of the UK's leading team sportswear brands.

Golfers can now ensure they never miss a day on the green thanks to golf text service Club Messenger (www.clubmessenger.co.uk). Golf club members can avoid wasted journeys using Club Messenger, which provides up-to-date information on weather and course conditions. The service is a useful alternative to club information phone lines which are often engaged or in need of updating.

Winmau has appointed new agents for the New Year in the shape of Malcolm Stedman and Peter Raggett. Malcolm and Peter have a collective experience of 35 years in the Sports Industry and will be a great addition to Winmau in the UK.

2008 - and all those with an eye for sport also have an eye on China, with just eight months until Beijing hosts the forthcoming XX1X Olympiad - and as many weeks until the next ispo China opens its doors. As the tempo speeds up in the preparation and completion of the astonishing "Birds Nest" national stadium, one of no less than 33 venues that have been created so far, the interest in China for everything sport-related has equally grown apace. Consequently it is only natural that there has been exceptionally rapid development of ispo as a sports business forum.

Ulf Bjerknes: From Rottefella to Swix

Ulf Bjerknes, President of Norwegian binding specialist Rottefella since 2003, will leave the company in order to take over as Managing Director at Norwegian snow sports specialist Swix. To date, a successor has not been appointed. According to own information, Rottefella produced in 2007 more than a million bindings.

The board and streetwear brand has launch an exciting project called Design For Humanity - Christelle Kipping, Billabong Girl's Marketing Manager, explains what it's all about, and how Billabong Girls will grow and grow.

Slazenger chose the fashionable Chelsea Harbour Club to launch their 2008 Tennis Rackets and to introduce their latest signing - Naomi Cavaday.  Robin Gibson, Slazenger's Head of Marketing remarked on her obvious talent and said that she was a rising star.

Managing Director and Creative Director of Design IQ Guy Mathiot spoke to SGB about his new designs for a range of bags specifically with women in mind. The cut, the style, the functionality of the bags has been tailored entirely for female sports enthusiasts, as Guy explains...

This month Jack Lynes, our man about the trade, has chatted with Bob Fidler and reminds us that it isn't just Cinderella who must go to the Ball. As ever, his report is not limited to the man he met, or even to the brand he represents. Watch out for the four P's that he recommends every bona-fide retailer should possess to prosper.

adiPure, a stunning new football boot by adidas, is set to make a striking entrance to the Premiership in 2008.

New this season is the Molten International Match Ball (FVA 4000Y).Manufactured using state-of-the-art,Molten-patented ACENTEC technology, the International Match Ball is already receiving rave reviews.ACENTEC technology is a cross-fusion bonding technique which does not involve hand-stitching, thereby eliminating water absorption.

PUMA launches the second generation of its lightweight v- Speed football product line designed for speed and built to get you to the ball even faster. The v.08 line includes the lightest and latest technology in footwear, apparel and accessories as PUMA, its teams and players like Nicolas Anelka, Gianluigi Buffon,Mario Gomez and Freddie Ljungberg prepare for the 2008 European Championship.

The new, very innovative and distinctive AKKURAT goalkeeping glove concept will further strengthen the brand's position in the goalkeeping glove market and complement existing successful concepts like the Cerberus and Chimera ranges. The AKKURAT gloves are available in a range of quality palms and price points to suit all levels of goalkeeping. The distinctive gloves incorporate tighter fit and greater flexibility through their segmented patented construction for advanced ball control and freedom of movement along with additional cushioning and better breathability.

Innovative brand Nomis introduce a new colour way to their best selling Black Pearl range for 2008.

The design has been upgraded to give a funky feel and a cooler look incorporating the now famous nomud technology on the soleplate combined with the wet control technologies synonymous with the brand.

Following Saucony's record breaking 2007, showing 11% growth across the board, a new RunAnywear 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.

Dunlop continues to push the boundaries of Squash Ball performance, designing and manufacturing a range of balls of the highest specification to support both recreational and professional play.

SOLE Custom Footbeds & Performance Socks tick all the boxes for the sports enthusiast who demands the best performing products.

Internet retailers try to make their e-shops more like real shops. Isn't it time traditional retailers turned that traffic round and started to apply internet lessons to their shops?

I feel it is necessary to illustrate my article this month, as words are inadequate to describe the state of what had once been a pair of trainers. Just look at them! People may be tightening their belts with the current state of the economy but we'll all be out of business if this is the level of wear they insist upon achieving before opting for a new pair. Saturday boy (who is also Wednesday boy) and I often play "guess what they're going to buy" when he works midweek.

Swedish designer Jan-Fahrenheit Betros used 100 per cent recycled Polartec Power Dry Recycled fabric in the sports garment that won him the 2007 Innovation for Extremes award. The Award was presented to students and new designers by Innovex-07 - the world's only innovation conference to target the outdoor trade - which aims to encourage innovation in the trade.

The Outdoor Industries Association (OIA) Council met mid-December to consider a strategic plan that was drawn up following a comprehensive review of the organisation that had been undertaken during the previous six months. That review covered aims, objectives, structures and activities. It incorporated a report, produced by Lewis Grundy for the OIA Council, which provided a situation analysis, suggested some options and informed the Council as it planned for the future.

In December 2006, 33-year-old Hannah McKeand set a new World Record of 39 days, 9 hours and 33 minutes for the solo and unsupported journey from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole. Now she is preparing to take on the ultimate endurance event - a solo and unsupported trek to the geographical North Pole. If successful, she will become only the second person ever, and the first woman to have completed such an awesome undertaking.

Granger's International has joined an exclusive environmental club by achieving product certification under the bluesign standard.

The Ordnance Survey Outdoors Show is geared up and ready to open its doors between March 14th and 16th at the Birmingham NEC, with a wealth of exciting new exhibitors and features for everyone to explore.

A relative newcomer to the outdoor retail industry, Result Performance has a solid line of outdoor and sporting clothing which could be perfect for a shop that's looking for something new to offer its customers. Jon Bruford interviewed David Sanders-Smith, Result Clothing's founder and MD.

Tony Linford, worldwide Brand Director for HI-TEC, talks to SGB about ion-mask and explains how this incredible innovation could change footwear forever.  Read on, you won't believe your eyes...

All the ‘must have' brands will be showcasing their A/W 09 collections and innovations alongside new and fresh brands aiming to stake their name where it matters....on the snow, in the water, in the parks and on the street.  More than 80 exhibitors have signed up already and include prestigious names such as: 32 Snowboard Boots, Bollé, Bonfire, Dakine, dare2be, K2, Protest, Ride, Rossignol, Salomon, Schöffel, Scott, Trespass, Vans and Westbeach, to name but a few.

Alpine skiing is demanding on gear. Leaving the hardware (skis and boots) out of the equation, the committed skier still needs base layers, mid layers and shells for both top and bottom as well as socks, gloves, a good hat or helmet, and glasses and/or goggles. But the good news is that many of the demands of skiing are similar to hill-walking, so many components of a carefully chosen outfit will earn their keep all-year round.

The revolutionary Force 10 series by Vango is back and better than ever. To meet the demands of the world's greatest mountaineers and adventurers this ultra technical range has been designed with minimum weight, minimum pack size and easy pitch features to take its performance above and beyond the average tent.

Eating and drinking form an essential part of any long haul camping expedition; so why not do it in style with Vango's range of fantastic accessories?

Using the patented ‘Superstretch' system these Ultra Light 800 Fill Power Sleeping Bags use elasticated baffles to ensure the user gets the most comfortable night's sleep going. The horizontal baffles run throughout the bag and draws the insulation closer to your body keeping heat inside. The system stops drafts, eliminates cold spots and improves the bag's thermal efficiency by reducing the amount of empty space your body needs to heat.