Industry: News Buff sets sights on sport market M
ultifunction headwear specialist Buff is setting its sights on the UK sport market with its latest line of apparel.
2012 will see Buff launch its fourth collection of apparel, which has been advanced to suit athletes and adventurers partaking in different types of activity.
The 2012 collection includes Active, Perform and Official garments and sees the use of technical fabrics such as DCS, Tactel and Coolmax Extreme.
A spokesperson said Buff is already well- established in the sports market on the continent and already has some exposure in the UK. The spokesperson said: “The clothing originally came about as a branding device for sponsored athletes but it proved so popular with consumers at large that it was a natural extension to the headwear brand as well as being complementary.
“Whilst the perception may be that Buff is moving into the sports market in the UK the reality is that it’s always been there. On the continent, where the differentiation between sports and outdoor retailers is different, Buff headwear and apparel sells into the sports market.
“In recent years the headwear brand has been increasing in popularity with triathletes so running sports and road cycling are obvious areas to target. Buff headwear has also been used by many swimming clubs for warm-up/cool down poolside.”
Buff is working to support retailers stocking its apparel, as well as headwear, the spokesperson added.
“We have a broad selection of proven point of sale units, available FoC with orders that will enhance sales. Our video demo is also an extremely effective selling tool, giving the consumer all the information they need about apparel products without staff needing to be on hand.
“We offer staff training to all who request or require it and are happy to help merchandise retail areas. And our trade website is open for business 24/7 and allows retailers to place carriage paid orders as low as £50 to keep displays topped up.
“All this is designed to make working with us and selling Buff products as easy and as effective as possible for the retailer, no matter what market they are in.”
Walsh Sports marks 50 years F
ootwear brand Walsh Sports is marking 50 years in business with a limited edition V- Ripple shoe.
Walsh Sports was started by Norman Walsh in 1961 before being sold on his retirement to Dennis Crompton and his brother Jon in 1996. Over the last five decades the company claims to have become a leading name in the manufacture of off-road performance and hill running footwear, as well as developing fashion and casual footwear lines.
Dennis Crompton said it maintains a loyal customer base and is represented in around 60 specialist stores from Torquay to Glasgow. In addition, it has grown into international markets ranging from Italy and France in Europe to Japan and China in the Far East. Crompton said this has helped Walsh Sports overcome the recent market turmoil. “It is a great achievement for the company especially in this competitive market of sports footwear. “Walsh continues to grow steadily developing on its athletics success with the introduction of
casual styles of footwear and clothing that are available in exclusive retailers within Europe and the Far East. Walsh has also produced footwear collaborations with designers Sir Paul Smith and Margaret Howell.”
He added: “One day all our markets will be up but at the moment some are down. Having interests in different markets around the world has helped us ride the storm, although we've traded through it quite well."
The limited edition V-Ripple shoe is made in a classic design with only a gold stamp on the tongue and heel as detailing. It also features a commemorative footbed.
Asics competition winners C
ongratulations to Ian Macrae and Rachael Williamson who were selected as the winners of our Asics competition to win a pair of Gel-Advance cricket shoes signed by Eoin Morgan. Both Ian and Rachael became fans of the SGB Sports Facebook page and told us what type of midsole is used to provide support and stability in Asics Gel-Advance 3 cricket shoes.
www.sgb-sports.com 5
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40