SIA The Intelligent Partner - Summer 2007 - (Page 15)

In the most marked shift of power, SIA reports that in 2006-07, apparel sales outsold equipment sales by $59 million. Last season, equipment outsold apparel by $39 million. “I think we were very fortunate to have the season be saved, especially by apparel, said Gabe Glosband, Winters” ports marketing director at Scott USA. “The way the season started looked like a disaster for hard goods – and people seemed to hold off on buying skis – but we saw essential items like coats and gloves continuing to sell. ” Accessories only declined 1 percent in dollars, ﬁnishing 2006-2007 with $594 million total sales. Bright spots included gloves, up 4 percent in dollars. Helmets stayed relatively steady, down 2 percent in units and dollars, while snowshoes felt the brunt of the bad winter and plummeted 17 percent in units and 26 percent in dollars. “Apparel did better than hardgoods once the winter did kick loose, said Gately, ” president of the specialty buying group. “And members were able to move a bit more of their apparel. But as they move forward, especially in hard goods, a signiﬁcant amount of wall space in their stores is going to be ﬁlled with proven winners. ” And despite what the weather may be doing, they must also continue to con- centrate on being the hard and soft goods “specialists” when it comes to snow. “Whether it’s the weather, e-tailers or big boxes, the bar at retail gets raised every year,” said Gately. “Our members are going to just keep looking at every possible way to establish ourselves as the snowsports experts, and make sure that we keep raising the bar, too.” d ASF Group will provide results for our customers 30 years of experience gives us the knowledge, resources and capability to implement concepts and deliver the highest quality performance fabrics. We understand all aspects of the industry, which gives ASF Group an unparalleled advantage. WE will get the job done. When you want more than a fancy name brand for your performance fabrics, go with ASF Group. Experience does matter. INTERNET SALES CONTINUE TO CLIMB Good snow or not, more and more shoppers ﬂocked to the internet to get their gear. According to SIA, “Online Internet snowsport sales totaled $341M for the 2006-2007 season. Equipment sales totaled $65M or 19 percent of the total. Compare that to brick and mortar specialty stores where 32 percent of all dollars this season came from equipment sales. ” Alpine equipment sales were especially hot, totaling $25.6 million as all skis and systems (50,000 units) accounted for a commanding 63 percent of the dollars. Free heelers were also especially internet friendly. SIA said, “The nordic, telemark and randonee equipment categories accounted for 17 percent of all online equipment dollars sold, compared to just 5 percent in specialty stores. Online snow” board equipment sales hit $28 million. Snowboards, with $13.8 million in sales, accounted for 49 percent of the dollars. With that kind of competition from both the weather and the web, according to Snowsports Merchandising Corporation’s (SMC) Tom Gately, said in the upcoming season specialty retailers will rely on their most consistent partners. Eclipse – Coating Water Resistance: 5,000-10,000mm Moisture Vapor Trans.: 4,000-9,000 g/m2/24hrs. (JIS L 1099 A-1) Water Repellency: 80%/20h1 Eclipse Barrier Tech– Laminate Water Resistance: 10,000-30,000mm Moisture Vapor Trans.: 5,000-30,000 g/m2/24hrs. (JIS L 1099 B-1) Water Repellency: 80%/20h1 ASF GROUP 310-831-2334 U.S. OFFICE Info@asfgroup.com JAPAN OFFICE We are the fabric builders—from fiber, to fabric, to factory, to finished. john-furumori@kyodo-s.co.jp TAIWAN OFFICE Info@asfgroup.com www.asfgroup.com | SIA | T.I.P. | SUMMER 2007 | 333166_Clark.indd 1 15 6/8/07 9:25:50 AM http://www.asfgroup.com http://www.asfgroup.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of SIA The Intelligent Partner - Summer 2007

Contents Word off the Slopes SIA Staff Contributors SIA Business SIA Board of Directors Greening the Biz Want Instant Success? Just Add Snow Out and About Day in the Life – Supplier Day in the Life – Retailer Day in the Life – Rep Products & Services Index to Advertisers

SIA The Intelligent Partner - Summer 2007

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