OUTDOOR & FITNESS
OTS and Tent Show combo confirmed for 2012
Outdoor Trade Show is back and looks set to be the biggest UK outdoor show of its kind
By Jonathon Harker
THE OUTDOOR TRADE Show has confirmed it will combine with the Tent Show in 2012 for the biggest UK outdoor trade show.
The event may even be the largest outdoor tent area in Europe, said organiser MCS.
A new website –
outdoortradeshow.com – has been launched for the 2012 Outdoor Trade Show – now in its seventh year, including the floor plan and exhibitor list, as well as news and information about this year’s show in September. While the 2011 event saw a rise in the
number of exhibitors, up to 135 from 120, the show saw a drop in visitor levels to 1,265 (from 1,427 in 2010). The organiser, MCS, maintained that despite the drop, feedback from visitors and exhibitors was ‘excellent’. This year’s combination with
the Tent Show is also expected to invigorate the event. “Following feedback from exhibitors and
visitors, the organisers of the show have joined the Outdoor Trade Show with the Tent Show for this year’s event,” said the organisers. “This creates the largest UK outdoor trade show and possibly the largest outdoor tent area in Europe. This gives retailers the chance to see all the clothing, footwear and accessory products at the same time as tents on the outside grass areas at the venue.” The OTS is also set to have a greater
social media presence too, with a Twitter feed at @OTS2012 and Facebook site at
www.facebook.com/OTSshow. The Outdoor Trade Show takes place at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, running from September 9th to 12th (9th-11th: Indoor and Tents, 12th: Tents only). 0161 980 7242
Dick’s arrival shakes up High Street sports chains
US RETAILER DICK’S Sporting Goods looks set to ride to the rescue of beleaguered UK sports retailer JJB with a £20 million package. At time of press, the investment from the 500-plus strong store chain is being assisted by an extension of existing arrangements from the Bank of Scotland and from suppliers. The investment from Dick’s will provide
the American retail chain with a presence in the UK retail market, a potential move which has irked UK rival Sport Direct. Direct’s chief exec Dave Forsey told
several news outlets: “Dick’s is well known in America for selling guns. We just want to let them know that over here, they will fight by our rules. We have three weapons of our own, and the customer knows they are unbeatable: price, price and price…Bring it on.”
Meanwhile JJB’s chief exec welcomed
the arrangement. Keith Jones said: “We believe this investment package and strategic alliance with Dick’s will provide a
40 BIKEBIZ MAY
real opportunity to accelerate JJB’s turnaround. Dick’s is a premier sporting goods retailer and we look forward to working with them. “We have always said that the
turnaround of JJB was never going to be easy or quick, and the current retail environment has made our work even more difficult. But we have made significant progress since our restructuring in April last year with the financial and commercial support we are announcing today, we can go further and faster and take advantage of the tremendous opportunities we see in our market in 2012 and beyond.” Chairman and CEO of Dick’s Sporting
Goods Edward W. Stack added: “We believe that JJB is a strong company with the potential to become a leading multi- channel sporting goods retailer in Britain and Europe. We look forward to providing the company with financial support at this crucial stage of its turnaround and to using our expertise in the U.S. market to help guide its growth efforts.”
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