Industry: News


Oase to focus on camping market O


ase Outdoors said it will focus on its core camping range and supporting specialist camping retailers, following the departure of executive director Jens Toft (pictured). Toft left Oase in December and won’t be replaced. Instead, UK sales director Mark Jennings has been working alongside Toft during the closing stages of his time with Oase, and will take over his responsibilities.


Jennings said Oase has growth plans for its UK operations, and will focus on specialist camping and outdoor retailers to grow its core camping equipment market.


Jennings said: “Oase Outdoors’ focus is on core original outdoor camping retail customers. We have a comprehensive training programme for all stores as necessary, thanks to a recently appointed dedicated trainer for the UK. “Oase Outdoors prides itself on its product innovation and has led the way with a number of industry ‘firsts’ including luminous guylines, the


Fantasy collection of family tents and Smart Tunnel quick-erect tents to name a few.” Oase is set to introduce a range of new products in 2011, which Jennings said will continue this heritage of innovation. This includes the new Outwell Wind Stabilizer System to keep tent structures stable in adverse weather conditions and the Outwell Easy Pegging System, which is designed to make it easier to pitch tents and provide superior performance in bad weather. Outwell has also developed a new collection of tents for 2011. Jennings said the Sun Collection is a massive statement of intent from Outwell, with three all-new polycotton tents, together with front extension and windscreen options, plus a range of other features.


Jennings said: “Outwell has worked hard to get the balance right between tried-and-trusted favourites and launching innovative new products to make the consumer's camping experience as comfortable as possible.


Brasher scores record sales in 2010 O


utdoor performance footwear brand brasher recorded 2010 sales 14 per cent higher than 2009, a third consecutive year of record sales. Brasher said its 2010 sales were boosted by the launch of various new products, including the Supalite II GTX lightweight leather walking boot, crampon compatible leather mountain boot Kanaga GTX and multi activity shoes such as the Krypton GTX.


It added that the poor weather that hit the UK in the last quarter helped bolster sales as consumers rushed to buy equipment tailored to the snowy, icy and cold conditions. Brasher said it has seen sales grow 32 per cent over the past three years, and the order book for spring/summer 2011 is buoyant, with developments such as the relaunch of brasher’s Hillmaster hiking boot set to grow sales further. Managing director Andy Loeber said: “Growth has been bolstered by a number of different factors, from innovative and forward thinking


“Outwell has added some great new stoves, lights and lanterns to its accessories collection, whilst the brand new Kitchen Store is ideal for stowing all kitchen items in one single container for transportation to the sink block, as well as making a useful stand-alone unit in the tent environment."


Arc’teryx grows European sales force


product development, mixed with strong, consumer-focused marketing, through to first- class customer service and delivery. “We’ve also worked closely with both our national and independent retailers throughout the year, to ensure we provide in-store PoS which stands out from the crowd and helps to reach both new and existing customers.”


KORS grows with STORES sites O


rganisers of the Kendal Outdoor Retail Show (KORS) are taking over management of the former STORES roadshow locations in Exeter and Newbury, and introducing two southern KORS events.


KORS organisers said they plan to build the two roadshows into events that draw visitors from across the south of England in support of the traditional Kendal show. The Exeter roadshow takes place on August 1-2, and the Newbury show on August 3-4. KORS Kendal takes place August 9-11.


“The trade exhibition model is constantly evolving in the UK, and it seems there’s a strong demand for small but professionally run shows” said KORS spokesperson Clive Allen. “Bringing quality outdoor brands together in locations right for both buyers and exhibitors makes sense from an economic and efficiency point of view. In addition the earlier southern dates sit within soft-goods order deadlines for many brands, making the shows attractive to a wider group of exhibitors.”


E


ric Schierl has joined Arc’teryx as European Whiteline sales manager, where he will support the European Arc’teryx sales team and retailers in selling Arc’teryx’s snowsports line. Schierl is based at Arc’teryx’s showroom in Annecy, France and speaks French, English, Spanish and Italian.


Schierl was previously responsible for Eider and Killy as sales manager from 2006.


He said: “Having only just started, I am in the middle of a dynamic order season with a great kick-off together with our key accounts in Chamonix in December 2010."


www.sgboutdoor.co.uk 5


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