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England 2 - Italy, France, Holland, Portugal and Sweden 0
Doug Bedford, MD of Prostar says: "The men's game is getting stronger. This is being fuelled by the shorter five or six-a-side version of the game. As well as not requiring such a commitment of time, the shorter game allows us to play on for longer - well into our 40s and in some cases 50s. Meanwhile, 11-a-side typically covers the 6-35 age range. What's more there is no apparent reason why that should change."
Football was for many years classed as a male-orientated sport, this perception and attitude however is changing with TV coverage of the Olympic tournament and live broadcasting of the women's FA Cup Final helping to further popularise it. Harrod, a company that specialises in many different goal sizes as well as netball posts and the like, says: "Football is now the most popular female participation sport, having overtaken netball." More young girls are generally interested and feed the sport from below. "Credit should go to the FA," says Mizuno's James Handford, "as structured coached sessions at youth level are more accessible at all ages and have bought a new audience in contact with football. The evolution of the women's game in the US has also helped to raise the profile of the sport on a global level. The WPS in the USA will continue to showcase the women's professional game and that will be replicated throughout Europe."
Doug Bedford's advice for independant retailers is to build a relationship with local leagues and clubs which he says, "you can't do sitting behind the counter." This strategy stops competition from the multiples, whose operating structure prevents them from getting a foothold with clubs. "Teams want a minimum of eleven strips; individual retail customers want a maximum of one. One more issue is if a club secretary is spending £700, does he want to deal with a 17-year-old who doesn't know where the product is, never mind what it is," Doug adds.
As with the game itself, so with the retail market, there is very little difference between men's and women's football: But Doug says, "It's important to get the shorts right, women are a different shape." Similarly, the routes to exploiting the growth in the women's game are the same as for the men's. The big issue for retailers is to recognise that it exists and recognise that growth. Doug's message is simple: "If you ignore the women's section, you really are missing out. Fundamentally both men and women want football clothing which is comfortable and fit for purpose."
Prostar
Prostar sell to some 800 accounts; of those, 130 generate over 70% of sales. Doug says, "good retailers don't just survive, they thrive."
This year Prostar have introduced the Classic jersey to address the current tight budgets clubs are experiencing - available in both long and short sleeves, it offers eight different colour options and is sized from 24" chest to 52". Clubs can also choose the Custom-made range which offers six different styles, four collar variations and fourteen colour choices. Avellino, the vertically striped jersey, launched last year benefits from two further colour options for 2009 and Modena, pin-striped range, has two new colour choices for the coming season.
Reflecting the significant growth in women's football Prostar offer an ergonomically designed range of shorts and have introduced the Corona support vest. The football accessories range includes gloves, referee's whistle, water bottles and a medical kit.
Hummel
Hummel say, "Men's football has been as strong as ever for us, with the new Technical Gold collection embellished with gold chevrons, being very well received." This range also features: drop needle fabric and playdry material making this their statement product. Still Authentic, as used by the Glenn Hoddle Academy, is the kit that everyone associates with Hummel as it gives great value for money for the customer.
Europe offers the customer a highly technical kit with subtle Hummel branding which is carried forward to the training product. Stand out pieces in this collection include the Europe soccer set comprising shirt and short which retails at £14.00 juniors and £16.00 seniors and is available in 5 colourways
Hummel have always catered for women within the Teamsport collection, and currently sponsor/organise the hugely popular, annual "Sensational Street Soccer" event held in Denmark, specifically for women only. Women now have more choice than ever with ladies-specific football product, rather than purchasing from male ranges.
The Old School Star SG and the Old School Star MD are synthetic, classic looking boots which have been very well received by the trade due to the price point of £30.00 rrp. Hummel's Young Bee range of junior boots are available in a black velcro firm ground and black velcro turf option, in three colourways. The range is completed by a lace turf in black and white colourways. All styles are available from sizes 28-39.
Hummel say a decent margin can be achieved with all kits for the retailer thanks to popular kit deals which carry on for 2009-2010. Hummel retailers have the added advantage of not having to hold masses of stock due to Hummel's stock holding commitment: "We give the retailer the opportunity to buy little and often, rather than committing to large forward orders."
Reusch
Reusch say they are seeing growing turnover with key retailers who are goalkeeper specialists or independent retailers who can offer the consumer more detailed product knowledge and a wider range to choose from, than some of the larger multiple outlets. Reusch products can provide a point of difference and better margin opportunities than non-specialist brands as they consider themselves true goalkeeping specialists for professionals and amateur players alike. Ever since Reusch produced the first goalkeeper glove with a latex palm back in 1973, the brand has worked closely with top level Professional Goalkeepers to research and develop exceptional products that perform at the highest level. A range of gloves that offers a different type of glove for every playing surface or weather condition is complimented by an apparel range offering ergonomic fit and protection and all the accessories a keeper could need.
Mizuno
Mizuno in the UK have continued to perform well within the football market; they say this is largely due to the focused distribution and positioning of the brand as a boot specialist. "Feedback on the forthcoming AW09 collection from customers is good and this is available in July 09 at retail," a company representative told SGB.
The new Wave Ghost offers agility and precision as it is packed with technology. Hiroshi Miyake who was in charge of the Ghost project explains, "The key objective was to produce the best fitting synthetic boot available in the market. We analysed the fibrous structure of natural kangaroo leather and replicated this grain structure." The material boasts exceptional shape retention, durability and low water absorption. The sleek design and lace cover provides a clean strike area for improved ball to foot contact.
Harrod
Harrod say that within the UK range you will find a product to meet your needs for strength, safety and performance - Harrod believe in tradition and are proud to continually achieve the highest standards of production quality that they have pioneered for more than 50 years; From the Manchester Commonwealth Games, The Millennium Stadium, Twickenham, Premier League Clubs and academies, to Wembley and the Emirates Stadium, Harrod UK goals and nets are the showpiece of the venue.
They say, "The football equipment market is holding up in what is without doubt a turbulent economy as many clubs are now seeking to improve to achieve Charter Standard - for this, equipment has to be up to scratch and meet the latest British Safety Standards. Recognition that the goal posts are a vital part of the sport has been an important factor in the continuity of the market."
SealSkinz
SealSkinz manufacture 70 per cent all of its product range by hand in the UK. Their Sport Football Socks use a patented seamless three-layer construction technology to offer the ultimate in waterproof, windproof, breathable and close-fitting protection; "They must be good because I completely forgot about my feet," said Kelvin Davies, Southampton goalkeeper, after training on a sodden pitch. The close-fitting inner layer is made from either Coolmax or merino wool which has been developed to actively wick sweat and moisture away from the skin. The middle layer is completely waterproof, windproof and highly breathable allowing perspiration to escape, while preventing water coming in. Finally, the outer layer is designed for extra durability and abrasion resistance, with stretch-to-fit properties.
Cartasport
Cartasport is the sole UK distributor of Masita sportswear. Their expanded the range of football clothing is available from stock, which includes the Valencia range which will continue to be stocked until the end of 2012. For the retailer and club supplier there is also available free of charge, quantities of retail priced (double trade) leaflets which include a large product range aimed at clubs and include clothing, equipment and accessories. While ladies football has grown in recent years, specific ladies fitting football clothing has generally not proved to be popular, in favour of general football clothing; however, Cartasport now stocks both plain and trimmed pink football socks made in the UK which are very popular.
Team Colours
Team Colours bespoke kit solutions are adaptable and versatile and can fulfill both small and large orders - whether you are looking for a twist on a classic kit design, or teamwear that is innovative and unique, Team Colours will work closely with you to create a bespoke clothing solution. Team Colours say: "By selling on the uniqueness of a completely made-to-order range of clothing, not only will you be offering your customers a viable alternative, but as a retailer you will distinguish yourself from the competition."
Uhlsport
Since its inception over 50 years ago Uhlsport has grown from being a company that catered exclusively for goalkeepers to become a football brand that caters for every aspect of the game. The extensive range of goalkeeper clothing includes: classic keeper's jersey at £14.99 rrp for junior and £19.99 rrp for adult, in four colours. Padded shorts, longshorts and further shirt and pant options are available alongside the popular Club Junior Goalkeeper Set at £24.99. This season's latest innovation in gloves is the Cerberus Bionic - a revolutionary design with the unique construction being the closest imitation of the human hand and finger tendons. The Torkralle football boot for goalkeepers has additional forefoot "claws" to provide lateral grip and EVA wedge to raise the heel by just 4mm to distribute the weight to the toes and enhance the ability to spring and react.
Uhlsport's teamwear range offers kits for all levels of play, with a range of tracksuits, rainjackets, windbreakers and trainingwear to complement. Uhlsport shinguards cross all price points from £3.49 - £19.99 from the leading DIV Vyper through to the simple yet effective Super Lite shinpad.
Ulhsport offers a range of footablls from £9.99 - £69.99 rrp. The new PT 5 Themis D.M.C 4.0.1 matchball is used by professional teams all over the world as it offers perfect playing, flight and bounce characteristics due to a new ball lamination technology.
Molten
Molten, the world's largest manufacturer of quality footballs, has just launched its latest football the VG-5000AW which has been designed specifically for UK wet weather conditions. The ball uses ACENTEC technology which eliminates stitching by bonding materials together so the ball does not absorb water in wet conditions, ensuring constant weight and prevents mud from adhering to the ball.
The Molten range also includes its top professional ACENTEC Vantaggio football, which is the only FIFA Approved non-stitched ball and is used in most high-profile world competitions. Footballs for clubs and schools also feature and multi-surface and Futsal balls. Bob Hope, chairman of Molten says: "Once teams, whether they be clubs or schools, play with a Molten football we find it is simply a case of repeat business, they just love the balls so much." Molten also manufactures a selection of quality football equipment including ball bags, ball pumps, training bibs, an excellent football strategy board and the professional Fox40 Classic pea-less whistle.
Molten is an official member of STAG, and through STAG, offers the organisation's independent retailer members a regular flow of promotions and incentives to assist them in driving their businesses.
Precision Training
Precision Training has recently launched a bumper 76-page catalogue which includes the full range of textiles, training aids and medical supplies for training at all levels, from professionals through to the grass roots. David Sanderson, national sales manager for Precision Training, said; "This is most exciting year on record in terms of brand development and we believe the football market is continuing to grow. We have also added a number of new female lines to the catalogue due to ever increasing demand, with the Olympico range already proving very popular - women players want to be training like the professionals which is something we have worked hard to make possible."
Gymphlex
Gymphlex has a new team wear shirt, the FOS0002 is part of the new GFORCE Performance Apparel range; this technically advanced Football shirt is part of the new contemporary sportswear collection which utilises the latest in performance fabrics and design styles. All of the GFORCE Football shirts are available in short- or long-sleeve, with either a traditional or performance collar. Customisation options include for badging and embroidery to add team names and logos.
