We continue our coverage of the SGB Sports Retail Survey is this issue, with particular focus on online retailing. This is a difficult issue for the traditional independent retailer, with a business and heritage built upon foundations of bricks and mortar, rather than in the cyber-sphere.

Nike has become the latest major sports brand to bring ion-mask technology to its shoes, by using the nano-coating technology to waterproof its new Lunar Wood TZ running shoe.

The ion-mask nano-coating technology has been developed by P2i, and it has already been used with great effect by footwear brands Hi-Tec and Ecco. Indeed, in addition to applying the technology to footwear, Hi-Tec has also ion-masked its leather golf gloves.

At the time of going to print, Sporting Goods Business is seeking confirmation that football boot manufacturer Nomis has gone out of business.

Outdoor brand Result Performance is entering the sports market with the introduction of a new athletics range, Sprio, in January 2010.

The brand has put together a technical collection with what it describes as ‘high performance fabrics … that work with the body during periods of extended exertion.’

JJB Sports has appointed Keith Jones as its new chief executive. Jones is currently group retail director at DSG – owner of Dixons and Currys – and he is scheduled to start work at the ailing sports retail chain on or before March 1, 2010. He replaces Chris Ronnie, who was dismissed earlier this year.

The Rolling People Distribution is celebrating a successful first year of sales in the UK, on the back of strong sales of skate brand Vision Streetwear and footwear accessories brand Mr Lacy.

Swimwear brand Zoggs has launched the company’s first ever cinema advertising campaign. ‘Swim with your eyes open – rediscover swimming’ is the strapline of a campaign targeting families and encouraging people of all ages to maximise their enjoyment of swimming by wearing goggles.

The day before the 2010 British Road Racing Championship in Lancashire in June, a new National Cyclo-Sportive event will take place on the same route as the Championship. The Cyclo-Sportive will start and finish in Barley village on Saturday June 25, with the Championship being staged on June 26.

Intersport has struck a sponsorship deal with three famous African football nations, in collaboration with Puma. The international retail chain will sponsor Ghana, the Ivory Coast and Cameroon during 2010, which will coincide with the Africa Cup of Nations early in the year, and then the World Cup in the summer.

Habana remains in Canterbury

South Africa’s Bryan Habana, who recently became the first Barbarian to score three tries against the All Blacks in one match, has extended his sponsorship agreement with Canterbury of New Zealand.

www.canterbury.com

The key to making a success out of a trade show is quite simple: you must please everyone. Easier said than done. But manufacturers and retailers alike turned out in force for the 2009 STAG Buying Show, November 22-23 at the Four Pillars Hotel, Cotswold Water Park, ensuring that the time and expense of attending was justified from both sides of the table. The orders were flying.

Designed with active sportspeople in mind – including swimmers – uCan is an mp3 player that straps over the ears and neck, and requires no further gadgets, straps or cases for use, or any leads running down the user’s arm, back or front. As Ubanana puts it, the uCan comes with ‘no strings attached’.

Aqua Sphere’s new Ironman Speedsuits were launched at the 2009 Ford Ironman World Championship at Kona, Hawaii in October, but what is wrong with Bolton? They have a perfectly good Ironman event there!

Firstly, Hawaii is the ‘Big Daddy’ of Ironman events and receives massive coverage worldwide. Hawaii is where the original Ironman championships were founded so the heritage is there. It is the pinnacle of the sport to compete in an Ironman in Hawaii.

We have had an excellent year at Hilly in 2009. Our sales are running at 15% up on last year, which in the current economic climate is very encouraging.

As an illustration, the recent STAG show was the most positive buying show in which we have ever participated. We were opening new accounts, taking orders, finding new leads and receiving lots of positive feedback about our business and the running market from retailers.

All women, no matter what their shape, need to ensure their breasts are properly supported for sport. That is old news. Women who are casual runners, who might run just a couple of miles a week, need to take their support seriously, so when you are a world-class long-distance runner, and your training is very much focused on clocking up serious miles, the importance of the sports bra cannot be over-estimated.

Revitalised in the UK, the development of the Intersport buying group is stepping up in 2010 with enhanced branding and a consumer marketing campaign. Barry Mellis, general manager of Intersport in the UK, spoke to Robin Barwick about taking ‘Sport to the People’

2XU claims its commitment to zoning the body with the right fabrications in the right anatomical regions is incorporated into this minimal-bulk, micro-climate Run Jacket.

The adistar Gore Wind Jacket represents the top of the adidas range. adidas promises that the jacket is made with 'formotion', for better fit and greater comfort while in motion. Climacool and mesh fabric are designed to combine for ventilation, and a breathable ClimaProof shell should keep wind, rain and snow out, so the runner stays dry and comfortable in even the harshest conditions.

The Brooks Nightlife jacket is designed to help cars see runners from every angle.  The jacket is made from technical fabrics to provide water resistance and breathability, and it comes in high-visibility, contrasting colours, which are accented with 360° of 3M Scotchlite. The Nightlife jacket comes in men’s and women’s models.

The Ultimate Runner’s Glove is designed to combine absolute wind protection with outstanding breathability. It is made from Windlocker material for high heat insulation and breathability. 1000 Mile says the gloves are anti-pilling, abrasion-resistant and have high moisture diffusion, while anti-bacterial fibre helps regulate body temperature and blocks odours.

The ARD Long sleeve top is designed with a feminine fit, and it comes with ultra lightweight mesh fabric for breathability. The top features discrete zippered valuables pockets, and it is finished with strategically positioned reflectivity for visibility in most weather conditions.

Intended to be fun, functional and versatile headwear, Reflective Buff is just like the Original Buff, but with the addition of two retro-reflective stripes of 3M Scotchlite. The wearer can be seen up to 150 metres away when light hits the stripes. There are  seven Reflective designs to choose from, and Buff is small enough to be comfortably worn underneath a helmet and to be kept in a pocket.

The Wildwood Trail long-sleeve run top from Go Lite weighs only 98 grams. Go Lite claims the lightweight fabrics provide the added benefit of extra fast dry times and a UPF of 50+. This long-sleeve top is built to help regulate body temperature in hot or cold conditions. It also features a secure pocket and reflective logos.

Hilly’s top of the range glove, the Elite, is made from MaxDry material for its high breathability, high moisture diffusion, quick drying time and anti-pilling capability. The towelling panel on the front of glove is designed to wipe away perspiration, and reflective trim and logo enhance visibility. Rubber thumb and forefinger grips even improve watch control.

Montane says its Featherlite Marathon Jacket is ultra-lightweight, highly breathable and water-resistant. Made from Pertex Microlight fabric, it also features 3M Scotchlite reflective trim visible through 360°. Even though it is designed for winter running, Montane claims the jacket is so light, runners will hardly notice they are wearing it. The Featherlite also fits into a stuff sac the size of a regular apple (as opposed to a ‘cooking’ apple).

The 1064 is a new model at the top of the New Balance range, made with cushioning that has been sculpted specifically for runners with a neutral gait. The shoe’s cushioning is designed to provide the optimum level of support for the foot whether it strikes the ground at the heel or mid-foot, and right through the step to the toe-off from the ground.

For Winter 2010-11, Odlo is introducing the Sapporo jacket. The Sapporo is designed to be breathable, windproof and water repellent, and it features 360° visibility with reflective stripes and logos positioned strategically on the sleeves and on the front and back of the torso. The zip and details on the cuffs are also reflective.

Result Performance claims it has created the “ultimate in lightweight, peak performance training jackets” in the Spiro Airstream. The jacket is made from Result Performance’s Hydra 5,000mm waterproof fabric, and it features a 5000mvp breathable moisture management system. The Spiro Airstream also features inset reflecting panels for extra visibility.

The women’s Vizion Windlite Jacket from Ronhill is made from Windlite fabric, which the company promises is windproof, water repellent, lightweight & breathable. Other features include 360° reflectivity with new graphics and reflective tape. The Vizion Windlite is finished with a small front security pocket, micro fleece lined collar, single hand operated draw cords in the hem and a lock down front zip.

Wigwam is a fourth generation family business that has been knitting socks in Sheboygan, USA since 1905. The Trek Trax Pro sock has a patented moisture control system, which is designed to keep feet dry and blister free. The Wool Dri-release fabric with Freshguard should keep feet insulated and comfortable and the sock is made with a seamless toe closure. Many colour options available.

GFORCE is the high-performance brand launched by Gymphlex in 2008, which aims to bring technical yet cost-effective sporting apparel to the club and school markets. GFORCE kits come in a trio of ranges: Classic, Signature and Unique, all made from technical fabrics, with a broad range of contemporary design options.

Over 50 years in football – specifically in goalkeeping and teamwear – has seen Uhlsport supply official team kits to some of Europe’s most famous clubs, including Inter Milan and Blackburn Rovers. The brand promises a wide range of quality, technical team and training wear at competitive prices, starting with the Club Team Kit, with shirt and shorts coming with an RRP of £19.99.

Kustom Kit can offer teams a choice of 46 styles from its Gamegear range of unbranded teamwear. The range features items made from Cooltex performance fabric, that is designed wick moisture away from the body, and 12 new items for 2010 include polos, sports vests, T-shirts, shorts, pants and a rugby top. The Cooltex apparel has been designed so it combines easily with other products from the Gamegear range.

The Presentation Tracksuit from Team Colours is lightweight and showerproof, and it features reflective piping, chin guard and a foldaway hood, ensuring it is suited to varied weather conditions. The tracksuit is part an unbranded collection from Team Colours, which has been created for bespoke print and embroidery, and a flexible pricing structure is designed to ensure retailers achieve excellent margins.

Canterbury’s teamwear business is growing, and it is spearheaded by the International Sublimate jersey. Derived from the technologies first worn by Canterbury-supplied teams the 2007 Rugby World Cup, the sublimated fabric is both breathable and close fitting, and the jersey flexes with the body for comfort and ease of movement. The jersey combines with the Advantage short for what Canterbury describes as a team kit of technical excellence and durability.

Prostar has entered the cricket market for 2010, with a collection of cricket whites, Twenty20 kits and training wear. The new line will be available to retail from February, and to support the brand’s entry into cricket, it will be supplying a pair of First Class county teams as Official Clothing Partner, to compliment Prostar’s existing relationship with Cricket Scotland.

Lotto is re-launching teamwear into the UK market for 2010, with an innovative marketing campaign planned during the year. Kit supplier for Championship football side QPR, the Italian brand has a heritage for combining style with technical substance, and Lotto is offering a bespoke service and the company promises uncomplicated account management.

The versatile Storm Jacket training top is mesh-lined, shower proof and it features a fleece collar for added comfort and warmth. A product designed for clubs, schools and universities, the jacket is available as a stock or bespoke item, and in a variety of colour options. Samurai promises excellent lead times.

Gymphlex specialises in providing team and sportswear to schools, and having operated in the market for over 70 years, the company claims to stock a vast variety of traditional and contemporary products that stand out for every season. Gymphlex can supply anything from a basic polo shirt to its latest, technical and sport-specific rugby jerseys and football kits.

Continuing our coverage of the SGB Sports Retail Survey, here we look at where retailers stand on the matter of that fast-growing giant, e-commerce.

According to the SGB Sports retail survey, a total of 66.6% of independent sports retailers see the online side of their business growing steadily or rapidly over the next two years. Despite fierce competition and problems with online pricing, online retailing is clearly an issue that retailers must address in some way.

There are times when I think customers divulge far too much information, and at other times they completely mislead you. I began to feel a little awkward when a chap came into the shop and launched into a story about how his wife just couldn’t get the hang of it. “I’ve told her,” he said, “If you can’t grip it, give it a good tug, then relax, you’ll never enjoy it nor be any good at it”.

Not a lot of people know this about my shop, but...

Our premises was formally an art gallery, and it lends itself perfectly as a specialist destination sports shop. With high ceilings, specialist lighting and a welcoming feel the shop definitely has that ‘wow’ factor. In the four years since we opened we have earned an enviable reputation as the leading ‘real sports’ shop in the area.

For the last few months, I’ve been walking my lovely dog Millie wearing a very comfortable pair of walking boots. They give me great security (not least from the very real threat of treading in dog poo, as the dog would have to be the size of Digby, The Biggest Dog In The World to do a poo big enough to get over the top of my boots), and they (the boots) make me almost as tall as my wife, as long as she’s not wearing any shoes at all.

BASI [British Association of Snowsport Instructors] has launched a new service exclusive to its members with a customised travel insurance scheme, specifically designed to fulfil the needs of a BASI instructor. The new insurance package, available for purchase from December 2009, is the result of collaboration with the highly respected winter sports insurance specialist Dogtag and provides a tailor-made package of insurance cover for BASI instructors who will be travelling and teaching all year round.

Top SGB Outdoor contributor Tom Hutton has been announced as the winner of the Words & Pictures category in the 2009 Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild Awards for Excellence. His piece, a five-page feature about Ski Mountaineering in Norway’s Lyngen Alps, first appeared in a travel magazine.

The Outdoor Industries Association has confirmed the appointment of a new Board of Directors, following its conversion into a company limited by guarantee.  The Board has been appointed to fully represent the UK outdoor industries, with members from across the sector.

The Outward Bound Trust recently launched its new initiative ‘Generations’, a project reaching out to all those who have ever participated in an Outward Bound course since its beginning in 1941.

Equip Outdoor Technologies have announced an expansion of their sales team.
After four years in an internal sales office role supporting export sales, Jon Morgan will become Export Sales Representative responsible for developing sales in Europe. At the Alfreton head office the internal sales team is expanded by recruiting Matthew Clarke into the position of Sales Office Manager.

The renowned Highlander UK mountain marathon will benefit from partnering with Haglöfs for its 2010 edition, taking place on April 10-11. The Swedish outdoor brand will help encourage new entrants to this endruance race.

Polartec is working with Cumbria Tourism to create a series of cycling and walking routes  throughout the Lake District and Cumbria as part of the Adventure Capital project. 

Starting from Ambleside, Carlisle, Coniston, Keswick or Kirkby Stephen the routes will vary in difficulty to suit all abilities and with 10 routes for each town there are plenty of challenges to chose from.  The routes will be promoted via the Cumbria Tourism website; www.golakes.co.uk/polartec, and leaflets distributed in specialist outdoor retailers throughout the county.

Burton McCall has appointed Giles Polito as Director of brand development, succeeding Keith Rugg who will retire from the position at the end of the year.

The 16-strong team at Sunderland based outdoor footwear manufacturer, brasher, set out to make a difference to the environment at Durham Wildlife Trust recently.

As part of the company’s environmental policy, the brasher team worked to thin as many trees at the Trust’s Rainton Meadows site, helping to conserve the local environment and improve its appearance.

Result Performance has announced a new charitable association with the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) – saving critically endangered mammals in their wild habitat and benefiting the local people who share their environment.

The historic Raleigh head badge with Nottingham England inscribed on it returns to head Raleigh’s new corporate styling for 2010.

The new badge will be used by all Raleigh companies and licensees throughout the world as many of them still identify with the significance this emblem holds for the company’s longstanding manufacturing heritage.

Renowned sports climber Richard Simpson is joining the elite group which make up the Mountain Boot Company sponsored climbing team. Richard is known as one of the world’s strongest sport climbers with exceptional ascents of iconic routes such as ‘Action Direct’ 9a and a first ascent of ‘A Muerte’ 9a.

The EOG Association for Conservation is presenting the ‘stunning visual portrayal of Earth’ in the film ‘HOME’ by award-winning French aerial photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand. 

Helly Hansen has announced two new appointments to assist with the continued development of the brand’s baselayer category. Baselayer is Helly Hansen’s biggest category across the globe and makes up a significant percentage of the global business to date.

AMG Group, owners of leading outdoor brands Vango, Force Ten and Lichfield and UK and Ireland distributors of Trangia, Wayfayrer and Rossignol, are strengthening their association with The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme for 2010.

Booking your ispo ticket in advance will save you cash immediately, with bookings online after December 23rd costing 30 Euro for a full show pass, good for all four days of this mammoth exhibition. And trust us, you’ll need all four days. Alternatively, apply for the new Sports Community Card for just 40 Euro, which replaces the ispocard.

Powertraveller made its auspicious debut at Friedrichshafen this summer, winning a prestigious Outdoor award in the Best Aceesory category for its Solar Gorilla. They’re following up that debut with a first appearance at ispo, as Brand Manager Jane Harsham explained to SGB Outdoor: “We made a fantastic debut at Friedrichshafen. It was our first time at an outdoor show, and the response was incredible from buyers and retailers. The message that came across was about our whole range, we’re not just about one or two products.

Recently, SGB Outdoor attended the launch for Accapi in the UK, and saw a very interesting presentation which was mentioned in the editorial column a couple of issues back. The presentation involved the company’s ‘Photonizer’, a drinks sleeve which uses Nexus Energy Source fabric to apply infra-red energy to liquids, and also a demonstration of the immediate effect skin contact with Nexus has on basic core strength. It was bizarre – and the room was filled with a reasonably cynical group of journalists. We all left puzzled, impressed and certainly intrigued.

Merrell has launched an innovative range of socks to complement their cutting-edge collection of outdoor footwear for the first time. Merrell’s sock range has been designed to specifically accommodate the contrasting skeletal structure and movements of men and women.

SUPERNOVA

The warmest bag in the range, the Supernova 5000 received the Novel Sleeping Bag award at this year’s Outdoor Trade Show. Retailing at £90, it’s a five-season synthetic sleeping bag which features Vango’s latest innovation for 2010, the Thermal Embrace System [TES], plus Insulate Aero hollow fibre insulation to help trap air to increase insulation.

Result Performance is introducing the AirDown collection, launching January. RESULT AirDown insulating technology operates in extreme temperatures down to -20 centigrade, giving the wearer greater control over body temperature and the ability to adapt to a change in conditions without adding or removing layers. Simply inflate as the temperature drops and deflate as the temperature rises.

At the heart of Helly Hansen’s Three-Layer System is its Lifa baselayer. Its stripes are seen worldwide, and are instantly recognisable for their quality and function.  Following the success of the Odin baselayer with mountain professionals last season, this winter sees the return of Helly Hansen’s Odin High Neck and Pants for professionals working in extreme temperatures on high alpine and arctic expeditions.

Bramwell International now offers outdoor enthusiasts a range of footwear care products to help keep walking boots and outdoor shoes looking like new. The Meindl footwear care range provides a one-stop cleaning solution to keep footwear smelling sweet and looking great after even the longest treks in harsh conditions and rugged terrain.

The new range is packed with directional designs, bold fashion forward colourways and the latest technical features.

Each range offers a distinct look but by sharing the same colour palette they have the ability to merchandise together instore. A distinct product hierarchy offers a selection of product based on price and performance.

Blinkers UK has developed a new range of bags to help cyclists ‘be seen’ at night and in poor lighting conditions.

FlashSack has been designed specifically with those at risk in mind, to make the wearer more visible. The range of bags use the latest electroluminescent technology integrated into each bag to deliver bright and colourful bands of light. The replaceable batteries last up to 24 hours and are supplemented by genuine 3M Scotchlite Reflective Material which exceeds the highest brightness standard for hi-visibility clothing.

CAMP, the brand leader in ski mountaineering equipment completes their offering to competitors and practitioners demanding the highest  standards. In addition to the very innovative and extra light gear  including helmets, harnesses, CAMPacks, ice axes and crampons that has  made it famous, CAMP has extended its line of gloves adding three models. These are technical and ultra light products for warmth, security and  protection from the elements.