Industry: News On the wing


For more on these stories, see www.sgb-sports.com


Ardblair Sports Importers has clarified its position in the trade as a distributor of X- Socks and X-Bionic for all products, both for existing and new clients.


My Goodness Ltd signs deal with SD Marketing to distribute For Goodness Shakes range of sports recovery products into the UK running and outdoor industries.


Nike and TomTom have


worked


together to produce the Nike+


SportWatch GPS, a new runners’ watch


designed to ‘provide


athletes with the most dynamic and motivational running experience in the world’.


Aqua Sphere launches biggest consumer- facing advertising campaign to get women to use swimming as an effective form of exercise.


Car giant Vauxhall signs three and a half year deal with all four Home Nation FAs which will see it give its support to grassroots football across the UK.


Brooks claims to outrun market R


unning brand Brooks said it saw sales increase 22 per cent in 2010, which beat a general view of stagnation in the running market. Speaking at an event to introduce members of the sports and running press to Brooks’ spring/summer 2011 collection, including the new Trance 10 running shoe and the next stage of its DNA cushioning system which is now available in a full length formation in certain shoe styles, sales manager Martin Exley said the 2010 sales increase followed


Accapi has launched three new baselayer lines into the UK and Ireland sports and outdoor markets, as well as a trio of Wellington boots.


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an increase in 2009, both years deemed to be part of the global downturn. Brooks works with specialist running retailers, and Exley said the general view from that sector is that sales in the running market in 2010 were flat or down. This, he said, could indicate that the Brooks sales increase means it stole market share from other running shoe brands. As a caveat, Exley said that the overall market view it has been given doesn’t include sales through larger chain retailers as it doesn’t deal with them. He also noted that the increasing volume of sales now processed online may have skewed the perceived value of the running market in the eyes of specialists.


“Our focus on working with specialists makes it easier for us to increase our business,” Exley said. “We want people to run happier. It doesn’t matter where you finish, as long as they finish the race with a smile on your face.”


Exclusive interview: John Riordan talks ISRA and the Irish market


N


ew ISRA coordinator John Riordan said he hopes the Irish sports buying group will continue to be a conduit for growth in the sports industry in Ireland under his stewardship, with Ireland a market that is ‘misunderstood’ by many brands.


Riordan took over from Tom Foley at the end of January, who has moved to become the new general manager of buying group Intersport UK. Riordan joins ISRA from Asics UK, where he was sales manager in the performance running department. This,


he said, has afforded him an insight into the world of sports retail and given him experience working with a premium brand. Speaking to SGB Sports, Riordan said: “ISRA has a responsibility to members and suppliers, and I want it to continue to be a conduit for growth in Ireland.


“Ireland is going through hard times but there is a general misunderstanding of the potential of the Irish market. Brands need to understand and identify that, although Ireland is close to the UK, there are local factors that affect the market.


“If they engage with the Irish market, there is a unique opportunity for the brands.” ISRA will also work more closely with its footwear division, IFRA, which will work as an extension of ISRA. Riordan was involved in establishing the footwear side of ISRA and will continue to oversee its progress.


He said there are many synergies to draw between the two divisions of the group and, although ISRA will continue to lead on sports, ‘prudent’ growth is being target for the footwear side of the group.


Riordan said: “I want ISRA to become more about the group, and for members to see the value of membership. That’s important in this economic climate, and I will continue to cultivate existing relationships and build news ones.”


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