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STAG – September 2011
Independents are sticking by tried-and-tested brands, so says STAG’s Ricky Chandler.
As if retailers did not have enough to contend with these days, many were up through the night recently protecting their properties from mindless looters when riots spread across many of our large cities.
The reasons behind this, causes and the solutions have all been debated long and hard, but there is only one statement that can be agreed by all and that is that ‘this was totally wrong, illegal and should not have happened in a civilised society’. I for one was completely embarrassed.
So if as a sports retailer you managed to avoid being affected by the riots, you have had the British weather to contend with along with the tough trading conditions that we are all so used to hearing about and are experiencing.
How do you manage? Well we are seeing many of our members cutting back on large forward orders and picking up stock on a monthly or weekly basis. They are putting their money into tried-and-trusted brands with products that they know will produce a good sell-through. This is not the time to take gambles.
Many suppliers are seeing this change in buying patterns and are adjusting their business accordingly. Those suppliers that are having the most success with the independents at present are those who have well trained dedicated sales forces that constantly knock on doors to gain that crucial immediate order. We are also seeing a number of new businesses opening, with great business plans and in good locations so the regeneration of the independent sports industry is continuing.
We are lucky in these tough times that we are part of an industry that is still in consumer demand.
The STAG 2011 Buying Show is once again fully booked and will see exhibitors including Asics, Hi-Tec, Puma, Mizuno, McDavid, Canterbury, Reydon, Zoggs, Ronhill, New Balance, K-Swiss, JanSport and Terra Plana to name a few. New exhibitors to the show include Helly Hansen, Joma, Falke, Eden, Cybertill, Grangers and 2XU.
Also new to the show is business guru Nicholas Bate. He will be speaking to members and exhibitors at the show on the Sunday. Bate is an author, designer and pioneering ‘thought leader’ in business and helping people ensure their true and full potential.
The show takes place November 20-21 at the Four Pillars Cotswold Water Park.
Ricky Chandler
STAG director
