Selling: Fight Sports


Stocked and ready to go


Cartasport holds ready amounts of stock as it works to ensure trade customers can maximise the opportunities presented by the ‘perennial’ boxing and MMA markets, so Howard Carter tells SGB Sports.


W


est Yorkshire-based distributor and wholesaler Cartasport has been supplying the trade for more than three decades with equipment across a number of sport categories, from archery and athletic equipment to volleyball and weightlifting.


Its brands include Mire, Karakal, Uhlsport, Spalding, Slazenger and Kookaburra amongst others.


Throughout this time, Cartasport has been supplying boxing equipment to the sports trade. Director Howard Carter says this category has grown over the years to match heightened demand for the sport, as well as the rise of mixed martial arts (MMA) and other combat sports.


The 2011 Cartasport catalogue includes a wealth of its own-brand boxing products such as gloves, punch bags, training mitts, floor-to-ceiling balls, pads, headguards and gumshields.


Says Carter: “Whilst the range was not then as comprehensive as it is today, boxing has always


been a valuable part of the business, along with the 30-plus other sports, for which we stock in access of 5,000 lines.


“Our boxing range has grown over the years and it has expanded and developed taking into account the training market and more recently MMA. We see boxing and MMA as being perennial. “The Cartasport range of boxing equipment is not designed for professional sport, but is aimed at the amateur, the training and the keep fit markets,” Carter says. “Consequently it is very competitively priced. And all products come in attractive retail packaging.”


Overall Carter says fight sports continue to deliver healthy business for Cartasport, with boxing equipment sales remaining steady and the training/keep fit and MMA markets growing. Cartasport has benefitted from being exposed to the MMA market as the sole UK and Ireland distributor for Tapout mouthguards. Carter says Tapout is the brand leader in MMA circles, as well as being suitable for a range of other sports where


‘In fashion’ sponsored by Attack and defend


This month we look at what well-known boxing and martial arts stars are wearing and using.


Name: Manny Pacquiao Nationality: Filipino Sport: Boxing


Best known for: Being the first boxer to win world titles in eight different weight classes


Will be wearing: Cleto Reyes boxing gloves


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teeth and mouth protection is required. In part, this is thanks to a new range that allows them to be more widely used. He says: “This new range is available in 12 colourways and for the first time, mouthguards are available in a two-piece pack; one each of two colourways.


“These newly developed mouthguards can be used with or without braces, and are designed to be reboiled and remoulded multiple times.” Product innovation through the brands Cartasport works with is being supported by a stock and service offering that Carter claims is “second to none”. “Primarily, as a distributor/wholesaler, we carry large stocks of all our 5,000 lines. We despatch orders mostly on the same day as a receipt of order. To increase sales, the adage ‘you can’t beat stock’ is true.”


Carter adds: “Pictures of our entire range are available to be used on customers’ own websites too. We all know how online shopping has boomed recently, and I believe all retailers now would benefit by having a good website.”


Email: info@eurozonebrands.com www.trionz.co.uk


Name: British Amateur Boxing Association


Nationality: British Sport: Boxing


Best known for: Being established to manage the World Class


Programme, initially for men but now also women, competing at all Olympic weights


Will be wearing: Adidas boxing clothing and using Adidas equipment (GB Boxing and all three home nations)


Name: Jack Underwood Nationality: British Sport: Martial arts


Best known for: Being a former ISKA World Champion in creative forms with weapons to music


Will be wearing: Black Eagle apparel www.sgb-sports.com


Name: Wladimir Klitschko Nationality: Ukrainian Sport: Boxing


Best known for: Beating Brit David Haye in a heavyweight unification fight to become WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO champion


Will be wearing: Grant boxing gloves


Name: James DeGale Nationality: British Sport: Boxing


Best known for: Representing Great Britain at the 2008 Summer Olympics in the middleweight boxing event, winning gold


Will be wearing: Lonsdale


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