Contents


Industry 4 News


www .sgboutdoor .co.uk


Innovation needed to return value to outdoor clothing market – brasher’s new MD – ISPO set for record year – Hilly/Ronhill plan global export expansion – Berghaus continues to streamline European operations


14 Analysis First Words


Last month’s heavy snowfall was a welcome bonus for much of the outdoor industry, with dry seasons in the preceding 12 months up to that point having made business sluggish.


There wasn’t one news broadcast for a good two weeks when you couldn’t see some free advertising for the main brands adorned across the breast of a shivering reporter. It must’ve been a marketing manager’s dream, while the rest of us were left shivering.


I say ‘us’ but in reality I was forced to enjoy some Middle East sun as the snow stopped my flight home leaving Abu Dhabi and forced me to ‘endure’ five more days in my sister’s company and stomach ice cream, BBQs and swimming pools with her kids. I must say though, it was a very odd experience for a Kent-born winter baby to be having summertime treats in December.


The only real silver lining was that we finally flew home early Christmas Day, and I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Santa in his sleigh working hard to make sure all his gifts were delivered on time.


I hope yours came, and that you all had a great Christmas and a very happy New Year. David Pittman, editor, SGB Outdoor


dpittman@datateam.co.uk


Last month’s bad weather brought gloom to many and made everyday life a struggle, but for the outdoor industry it heralded a return to fortune


18 Cover Story: Columbia Sportswear Columbia Sportswear tells SGB Outdoor about the innovations underpinning its new range of warm and dry products


21 Trail running


Hoka One One is looking for retail partners with the requisite trail running background to grow its UK business


Products 8 First Look


We find out about new products from Wolverine, BioLogic, eXtreme Sports Company, Result, Helly Hansen and Vango


12 Reviews


We review products from brasher, Columbia and Berghaus


22 Tech Rep


We get the low-down on the new Gore-Tex Active Shell laminate from Gore’s Martin Lankes


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Read about = on page 18 www.sgboutdoor.co.uk 3


You also find a handy pull-out guide to February’s ISPO show, with showground information, key exhibitor details and a handy map to guide you from hall-to-hall


January 2011 www .sgboutdoor .co.uk


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