View from the industry continued
Here is another key question for retailers: is it possible to sell minimalist shoes alongside conventional running shoes?
Absolutely! Vibram Fivefingers offers the foot no support, and therefore the shoes encourage the feet to support themselves. In other words, they do the opposite job to a conventional sports shoe; one lets the foot rest, the other makes it work. Fivefingers should be integrated as part of a conditioning routine for foot strength and running technique.
Stripping down
Lieberman has said he believes that in five years’ time, the entire running shoe market will be unrecognisable from how it looks today – and it won’t be because things have been added to shoes, but because they have been taken away.
Despite over 20 years of stability elements being incorporated in running footwear there is, as yet, no established, clinically-based evidence for their provision
“
However, I would go for a more conservative view. Much the same as everyone now recognises that stilettos are bad for the feet, knees, hips and back bio-mechanically, yet they will continue to be worn for fashion reasons, running shoes and other stylised footwear will be worn for many years to come. The antidote to the damage these products may cause, or to their lack of functionality, is now readily
”
Not a lot of people know this about my business, but ... We will be 25 years old in 2012. Let’s hope we get there.
How is business at the moment?
Very tough. Like for like, sales seem to be a thing of the past, but we are holding our own, with high standards of service levels. My only concern is that when the new VAT kicks in after Christmas it is going to be a real bun fight, and price will probably be everything.
What has been the greatest success for your business over the past 12 months?
The greatest success has been joining Intersport, with the extra discounts available with Frame Deals etc. It at last gives us a chance to compete on certain products. Sadly our margin overall in the sports trade is still not high enough.
What recent supplier initiative has been successful? The most successful supplier initiative has been The Waboba ball for us. With the video screen as a demo tool we have sold over 2,000 units. We also owe a big thank you to Tim at Bat & Ball who told us about it. That was the strength of the old Allied Partners Buying Group: communication.
What will be the biggest challenge for your business over the next 12 months?
understood and available, and that is barefoot or minimalist. This is why we utter phrases such as, ‘the experiment’s been done’, or, ‘you’ll always find simplicity in the complexity’, or, ‘sometimes to move forwards, we have to look backwards’, but you can rest assured you won’t hear us bragging too much about the technological innovations of our brand. We believe deeply that, with Vibram Fivefingers, the technology is the foot.
S
www.primallifestyle.com 14 SGB SPORT AUGUST 2010
The main challenge at present is to get through this recession and stay in the game. Suppliers have a key role to play in this, by making sure there is plenty of margin on products. It is made much harder with the likes of Sports Direct still heavily discounting key products. Also the supply of brands to internet companies and the terms they give them must change, or the specialist sport shop will become a thing of the past. We are fed up with holding stock of all the top models only to be between 20- 40% more expensive than e-retailers. The suppliers have now got to play their part in saving the high street, by charging the retailer and the e-retailer two different prices. Unless this happens, top-end product on the high street will become a thing of the past, and the manufacturers will have nowhere to showcase their latest technology. Everyone must stick together - supplier, buying group, and the retailer.
S Trading Intelligence
Business name: Clubsport Kington Ltd Location: Herefordshire Owner: Simon Hussey Opened: 1987 Affiliation: Intersport Number of staff: 125 Speciality: Everything in sport
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28