Industry: News On the wing


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


Intersport claims to have the ‘formula right’ for its quarterly shows after announcing the Q4 show attracted 90 per cent of its member base. Exclusive photos from the show are available through www.sgb- sports.com.


STAG signs supplier and China deals B


uying group STAG has signed up outdoor brand Trespass as a supplier, as well as agreeing a ‘strategic partnership’ with Chinese retailer Sport100 International.


Regarding Trespass, STAG said its range offers ‘fashionable, functional, and innovative technical clothing for leisure pursuits’, as well as outdoor activities. Its product range includes casual and performance clothing, ski and snowboard items, socks and trainers, as well as luggage and travel accessories, sunglasses and other branded merchandise.


Trespass will also supply members of Freedom, STAG’s sister buying group for the outdoor industry. All STAG and Freedom members will receive preferential terms from Trespass. STAG managing director Ward Robertson


said: “It is a brand that we have wanted to be involved with for many years, and with the mutual agreement now in place we have decided that the time is right.”


Stephen Anderson of Trespass added: “We are delighted to have finally joined up with STAG and Freedom.


Samurai Sportswear has signed a deal to become the official kit supplier to football league outfit Accrington Stanley, and unveiled Kent County Cricket Club’s new Friends Life t20 kit.


Brand Agility, the UK and Ireland distributor for the Caribee range of backpacks and accessories, has added America’s Yak Pak to its portfolio.


Recreational athlete Andy Morfey puts a trio of baselayers from Skins, 2XU and Highlander through some real-life tests.


John Moore


(pictured, centre) of SS Moore and The Athletic Stores has been honoured for his services to business in Belfast with an MBE.


As of May 1, there are 453 days left until the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.


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“Our strengths in terms of range, quality, value for money and margin potential combined


with the expertise and route to market that STAG and Freedom members offer I am sure will forge a very successful partnership in the months and years to come.


“It takes hard work to succeed and without question STAG and Freedom show the same drive and commitment that we do at Trespass and although it took time, it was an easy decision for us to join. Our spring/summer 2012 ranges are to be launched very soon and we look forward to the reaction and feedback from the STAG members.”


Sport100 has joined the buying group as a member with immediate effect. It has 43 megastores across China and records turnover in excess of £100 million each year.


STAG said the association with Sport100 will lead to an open ‘exchange of ideas’ and allow the two to ‘share any opportunities that may develop in the future to benefit the whole group’.


Robertson said: “This is the beginning of a naturally strong agreement between our two companies, and we look forward to developing both of our businesses over the coming years.”


Intersport confirms DW as member I


ntersport confirmed DW Sports as an affiliated retail member of the buying group at the start of last month. DW Sports has 60-plus stores across the UK, as well as more than 250,000 fitness club members.


Its addition to the Intersport group means it now has 87 members operating out of 259 outlets in the UK.


Intersport said it has been in discussion with DW Sports about it joining the buying group for some time, and provisionally agreed a deal around the time of the Intersport Q3 show in January.


DW Sports is now an affiliated retailer as of April 1. Over the next three to six months all fascias and in-store communication will be rebranded as Intersport DW Sports. Intersport said this will give its brand a boost on the high street, ‘presenting a multitude of marketing opportunities which will benefit the entire membership base’.


DW Sports will work to become a ‘fully engaged, proactive member’, Intersport said. It will support initiatives and represent the Intersport brand in a manner that reflects its style, concepts and values.


DW Sports chief executive officer Winston Higham said: “Becoming an affiliated partner with Intersport will help both parties. DW Sports


www.sgb-sports.com


will benefit from the sports retail side of the business with our 60 sites becoming instantly recognisable as ‘sports stores’.


“Once customers see the Intersport logo we believe that they will take in the fact that we are not just a fitness club operator. I believe with our retail square footage combined with the existing Intersport members, we can achieve better buying leverage and give a very strong exposure to the Intersport brand.” Tom Foley, general manager of Intersport, said: “As organisations we have a similar ethos to be a true sports retailer, and we reached our agreement based on the clear and abiding synergies that exist between us.


“As a larger group together we believe we can serve all of our members more effectively, delivering even better value and greater advantages.”


Intersport has also taken out sponsorship of perimeter signs at rugby league and cricket events over the coming year in order to grow awareness of the brand.


Cricket events where Intersport signage will be seen include Twenty20 cup matches, the Pro 40 championship, England international test and one-day cricket matches.


The signage will gain Intersport exposure across the media, including on TV and in print.


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