Industry: Intersport Q4 Review Intersport’s supplier showcase
Intersport’s Q4 show was an opportunity for suppliers to the buying group to showcase their current offerings to the trade as well as one or two new additions. David Pittman reports
T
he usual faces were out in force at the Intersport Q4 show, which was held at the buying group’s UK headquarters in Solihull at the very end of March. Puma was on hand with its Faas running shoes
(see SGB Sports March 2011), which a spokesperson on the stand said had received a very positive response from the trade. Faas shoes are designed against a sliding scale of performance and structure, ranging from the 500 model, which is described as ‘neutral’ running shoe, down to more simple styles and up to more complex versions.
The spokesperson said the numbers can also be taken to refer to the number of miles a runner may look to run in them, with the higher the number the more wear they will provide.
“They are running shoes designed with an eye towards lifestyle shoes. We’re targeting a new breed of runner with the Faas,” the spokesperson said. “It’s a revolution in the way people buy and sell running shoes.”
Saucony was also showcasing another revolution in the running market, showing SGB Sports its
Supplier showcase: Silva
Swedish outdoor accessories brand Silva was showcasing a wide selection of its lighting solutions suited to sports enthusiasts looking to get the most out of the day.
This included the Siju and Mino headlamps. Silva said the Siju is its smallest and most compact model and can be stored in a pocket or bag and is water-resistant to IPX6 standards. The Mino is a slightly larger headlamp which is also water-resistant and designed to be compact and lightweight. Silva was also showing a range of sports training and monitoring aids, including its ex10 range of pedometers which work on a pendulum motion to allow them to be worn around the neck for improved comfort and use during activity.
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www.sgb-sports.com
Hattori minimal running shoe. Sales manager Richard Outterside said minimal running shoes are “hot at the moment” and something many people in the market are introducing to their ranges. Where this will lead the industry, he wasn’t sure. “The industry is fast moving, and I wonder where it will go in 2012 and beyond,” he said. “What will evolve from barefoot running shoes?” Asics was making the most of its Gel Lethal Hybrid 3 rugby boot, which Sam Walker, Asics team and court coordinator, said gives wearer’s the benefits of both a training boot and a pair for playing. This, he said, means it provides extra support and strength and makes the brand more accessible to the market by providing a multipurpose boot that does the work of two pairs.
Archery brand Petron was also present with a new range of shoot-through bows, allowing archers to shoot arrows through the centre of the bow, and a fun archery set. It also showed a high- velocity bow designed for use in paintball. In addition, Intersport gave special attention to a
handful of ‘showcase suppliers’, such as Swedish accessories brand Silva, sock manufacturer Horizon and sports shoe distributor Hutchinson Sports (see panels), as it did to toy manufacturer Golden Bear Products, which was positioned within the Intersport zone.
Golden Bear was showing a range of London 2012 Olympic merchandise, as shown at SMex by distributor Elgate Products. Business development manager Adrian Mayes reiterated the view of Elgate Products sales director Guy Askew at SMex by saying: “Retailers are realising the massive difference an event like the Olympics can make to sales and that they need to be involved. We’ve had lots of interest.”
Supplier showcase: Hutchinson Sports Hutchinson Sports was showcasing the
Tramp-it running and jumping aid that it said can allow younger users to drastically increase their abilities. Tramp-it is a sports shoe featuring an adjustable ski- type fitting, similar to
those used by paraplegic athletes to run, which
Hutchinson Sports’ Gregg Nash said can increase the wearer’s jumping capacity by 30 per cent and running speed by 20 per cent. Tramp-it sports shoes are initially being targeted at the 7-17 age bracket, Nash said, with Hutchinson Sports seeing the product having the same market appeal as Heelys did a few years ago.
Nash said there has already been interest in the product, which will hit the market in June, from retailers. He added that the Tramp-it business plans to grow into a multi product outfit over the coming months. Nash said: “Over the next 12-18 months Tramp-it will develop a number of other products, including a version of the sports shoe for adults.”
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