Ski Press World Inc. - Index

Ski Press World Inc. - SIA Day 1 - Index

top news
While exhibitors were setting up shop yesterday, retailers belonging to buying
groups were already neck deep in deals, with Sports Specialists LTD (SSL) and
Snowsports Merchandising Corp. (SMC) offering members sneak peaks of this
year’s goods.
“Mother Nature’s been very cooperative in all the key markets,” says SSL President
Steve Rogers, whose group represents 60 retailers with 135 outlets. “It’s one of the
best seasons to date we’ve had recently — there seems to be a lot of pent-up demand
from consumers.”
SMC President Tom Gately agrees. “It’s defi nitely a step in a positive direction,” he
says. “It doesn’t mean buyers will go hog wild and load up the barn again, but the
overall mood’s a whole lot better this year.”
While Gately has noticed strong soft goods sales, Rogers says this year’s interest is
directed toward twin tips, as well as women’s and kids’ gear. Facilitating this, at
SSL’s kickoff meeting Saturday night keynote speaker Tammy Anderson of And How
Marketing offered advice on how to better reach the women’s market.
While he admits a continuing concern about the economy, Rogers says this year’s weather is overriding it. Buyers are
genuinely excited about the wealth of new products available, with suppliers doing a great job at recognizing trends
and market opportunities. “There are a lot more smiles on people’s faces this year,” he says. “Our members have traffi c,
customers and cash fl ow, which should translate into continued excitement for next year.” — EUGENE BUCHANAN
4FRNT Signs OEM Deals w/Elan, Tyrolia
In addition to releasing several new, ultra-fat, uniquely shaped
backcountry powder skis, the company that helped pioneer
the new-school ski movement is forming strategic partnerships
to ensure its longevity and success in the market.
4FRNT signed a three-year exclusive agreement with Elan.
Elan will now produce all of 4FRNT’s skis in its historic
Slovenian factory where Ingemar Stenmark’s and the fi rst
parabolic skis were made.
On the binding front, after four years in the binding market,
4FRNT signed a deal with Tyrolia to label a new binding
series called Peak. The new partnership will help 4FRNT
work toward the emerging trend of making freeride-specifi c
bindings. “With Tyrolia now supporting 4FRNT’s binding
direction,” says founder Matt Sterbenz. “Small brands
with core values can be as effective selling to the wider
consumer demographic as the bigger companies.”
4FRNT also signed CR Johnson to its team, two years after
the pioneering young freerider sustained a serious head
injury. CR will continue to fi lm with Matchstick Productions,
while helping 4FRNT design and promotes its skis
and bindings. — SUSAN SCHNIER
What Does
Mom Want?
“PLEASE… MAKE MY LIFE EASY!”
What does mom want?
Sleep, world peace and
her kids to quit ripping
their hats and mitts off in
fi fteen-degree weather.
Getting her more sleep
and world peace are tall
orders, but convincing
kids to wear warm stuff is
easy. Just ask Sheri Burr of
elan blanc. Her company
distributes hats, mitts,
scarves… all those basic Cabbie hats in feather chenille.
winter woolies moms wish
their kids would wear with less fuss.
As a grandmother of 6.25 grandchildren — yes, there’s
one in the oven — Burr says she’s now an expert in the
market. She’s convinced kids will wear it if they want
to wear it. Translation? Buy them what they like.
Hot now for the age-fi ve-and-under set — those most
likely to refuse mitts, hats or anything at all good for
them — is logowear with Sponge Bob, Dora, Tinker
Bell and Hello Kitty. Two-year-olds will wear their
Dora hats to bed… they love them that much.
“You know you’ve got them,” says Burr, “if they
want wear this stuff even when it’s not weatherappropriate.”
Also on mom’s make-my-life-easy list: clips sporting
Winnie-the-Pooh characters that attach mitts
to ski jackets; mitt-and-hat combo packages, anything
made with feather chenille, and gloves with
nametags pre-sewn into the lining.
It’s not world peace, but tantrum-free products
may bring mom moments of calm.
Now… about getting her that sleep?
— LORI KNOWLES