Previous issues: 2009 (continued)

Issue 28

Moves and changes
» Jack Khoza joined Hi-Tec SA as Product Manager. Before this he was a specialist buyer for Edgars in charge of buying sporting footwear for three years
» Cycles Africa will open its new warehouse in Somerset West, Cape Town, on 1 June. The new office will be run by Cycles Africa’s senior partner Robert Cunnington and assisted by Benjamin van Wyk (sales) and Andrew Pitout (marketing). The Cape Town office will also handle the technical and product service for the Western Cape. The Johannesburg office continues to run as normal and is managed by financial manager Malcolm Cunnington and assisted by Josh Liebenburg (sales) and Duncan Ngema (technical/service)
» The Midas Group/Akals has moved premises. They are now at 37 Imvubu Park Place, Riverhorse Valley, Durban. Tel: 031 533 5300. Fax: 031 533 5599
» Emu Creek has also moved to Office 1, Upper Floor, Fourway Gardens Centre, c/o Uranium and Bushwillow Road. Tel: 011 467 1000 or 011 467 9000, Fax: 011 467 0000. Their email remains the same (info@aussiegear.co.za)

 

» John Black, previously equipment buyer for Cape Union Mart and now with the Edcon Group, summitted the peak of the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest (8 850m) on 21 May 2009 at 07:15 (local time) wearing merchandise supplied by Cape Union Mart, including their K-Way brand. Fellow South African Robby Kojetin (sponsored by First Ascent) summitted in aid of cancer research. They, and their climbing partner Gilad Stern, had left for Katmandu at the end of March to fulfil their lifelong dream of climbing Mount Everest. For more information on what equipment Black used, see the June/July issue of Sports Trader.

Issue 27

» As of the 1st of May, Reebok is the new official kit supplier to the world number 1 One Day International (ODI) and world number 2 test cricket team, the Proteas. Reebok now supplies the Proteas with kit across all the formats of the game - Twenty20 (T20), ODI’s and tests – as well as caps, tracksuits and casual travel kit for the team and management, and official replica wear. All shirts and jerseys will incorporate Reebok’s PlayDry material that allows for greater breathability and wicks moisture away from the body to keep players cool and dry throughout, as well as strategic mesh panels and lightweight materials, designed in conjunction with the national team. (Read more)

 

» This year 10 770 runners entered the Safari Half marathon - an increase of 2 750 (25%) since last year. Apart from the 8 675 runners in the 10km and 21km races, an additional 2 095 entries were received for the 5km (no shoe count). Many of the runners and walkers were first timers, which could account for the high percentage of “no reply” and “other” responses in the shoe count. The Comrades – with a 17% increase in entries to 12 890 – also has a high 19% of first time runners entering. It is interesting to note that whereas Asics still leads the pack in the half marathon, the runners who entered the 10km race preferred other brands like New Balance, Nike and adidas (Click here to see count numbers)

 

» The new official Springbok jersey, which sports both the Protea and the Springbok logos, will be officially launched to consumers on 2 June 2009. Certain items in limited quantities may become available to the public in the week leading up to this date. (Read more)

 

Moves & changes
» Urban Flyfishers have relocated their Johannesburg store to Shop 21 Ridge Terrace Shopping Centre c/o Jim Fouche Road and Without Avenue in Weltevreden Park – across the parking lot from their previous shop.
» Renier de Bruin, Second Skins’ agent in the Western Cape, recently completed his fourth Ironman, finishing 62nd in his age group. He raced in the Hydrophobic Speedskins suit.

 

» Hi-Tec has signed an exclusive endorsement deal with top SA adventure racers Martin Dreyer and Jeannie Bomford to introduce their latest technology: the ion-mask Hydrophobic (HPi). Unlike the ion-mask WPi, the hydrophobic HPi footwear is not designed to be waterproof, but it ensures that your footwear absorbs less water, staying lighter, repelling dirt and preventing long-term mud build-up. (Read more)

 

» New Balance is sponsoring a new race - the Eden Campus/New Balance Trail Run Series. It will consist of eight trail runs through the vineyards of several of the most beautiful wine farms in the Cape Peninsula, with the series kicking off at the Nitida Wine Estate in Durbanville on Saturday the 23rd of May. Wine tasting is included and there will be New Balance gear as well as weekend getaways as prizes. Funds raised will go to Eden Campus. Visit their website at www.edencampus.co.za. For more information contact Jenni Rorrison on 083 266 3305.

 

» Having walked from Cape Town to the Sea of Galilee via Mount Kilimanjaro, adventurers Alexandre and Sonia Poussin have partnered with Hi-Tec and will now be part of their product development team. (Read more)

 

» BER has released their Inflation Expectation Survey – First Quarter of 2009 in which they reveal that the average CPI inflation expectations of analysts, business executives and representatives of the trade union movement in respect of 2009 declined from 8.6% to 8.3%. Analysts and business executives’ expectations dropped by 0.9 and 0.2 percentage points respectively. In contrast, trade unionists’ expectations increased by 0.3 percentage points. (Read more)

Issue 26

» We have been reliably informed that Leisure Golf (formerly Leisure Holdings) will be restructuring to separate the golfing brands from their other prime sporting brands. (Read more)

 

» Warren Gans is Ram Mountaineering’s new independent store sales manager. He has relocated to Cape Town from the KwaZulu Natal area and as an avid outdoor enthusiast he is looking forward to practicing his climbing.

 

» Retailers, keep an eye out for an important announcement tomorrow. A new product that has never before been seen in SA is being launched and we will be bringing you the information directly to your email inbox.

 

» Badges Unlimited have been awarded the license to make the official Bafana Bafana lapel badges, which vary from humorous to patriotic, with the SA colours.

 

» Dunslaz-sponsored Ian Smith, chairman of the Clubview tennis club in Centurion, made history by becoming the first African to receive the Gold Shield classification from the International Tennis Federation as tennis referee. Smith becomes the 63rd person in the world to be awarded this classification.

Issue 25

Moves and changes on the retail scene
» Kloppers is busy extending their George shop to include a specialised sports, camping and outdoor department. They will be finished beginning April and will have a store that can service the community as well as their Bloemfontein store does.
» A new Tekkie Town and Sportsmans Warehouse have opened in the new Beacon Bay Mall in East London.

 

» Super-Brands (Pty) Ltd has been granted the license to supply Canterbury to the SA market. On deadline, negotiations were still underway with SA Rugby regarding the sponsorship of the Springboks and the new distributors were also still concluding the take-over of stock and other administrative arrangements, before briefing their customers. Super Brands bought Dunslaz Distributorship at the end of last year and have since then been distributing their brands Slazenger, Dunlop, Karrimor, Ashaway and Swingball in the local market.

 

» The controlling body for swimming, FINA, has ruled that only swimwear pre-approved by FINA (that complies with their new swimwear rules) may in future be used in FINA competitions and Olympic Games. Amendments to the FINA requirements for swimwear approval were adopted at a FINA board meeting in Dubai earlier this month and prescribes the design, material used, thickness, buoyancy, construction and customisation of all swimwear used in FINA-controlled competitions. Swimwear used in these competitions must display a FINA-approved label. (Read more)

 

» Hi-Tec’s ion mask technology is still raking in awards - even from the prestigious National Geographic and Backpacker magazines. Their Magnum working footwear brand, also featuring the ion mask technology, joins in on the award-run. (Read more)

 

» The year is still young, but New Balance has already taken home its 9th and 10th awards for 2009. Their New Balance 760 walking shoe received Shape magazine’s Best Overall walking shoe award and their 749 running shoe was named Best Stability Shoe by Shape magazine.

 

» For the third consecutive year Asics Gel-Kayano has been named the “Editor’s Choice” by the international edition of Runner’s World magazine in their annual Spring 2009 Shoe Guide.

 

» Dunslaz Distributors, operating under Super-Brands, and Mookie International, a global toys distributor, have partnered to extend the current range of Swingball products in SA. (Read more)

 

» South African swimming sensation, Cameron van der Burgh, has joined the Arena Elite Team of international swimmers. Other members of the team are Olympic record holder Cesar Cielo Filho and top swimmers Alain Bernard, Laszlo Cseh, Massimiliano Rosolino. (Read more)

 

» Dunslaz-sponsored UCT engineering graduate, Siyole Lusaseni (26) has been chosen to be one of eight illustrious global ambassadors for Squash 2016, the sport’s campaign to be included in the Olympic Games from 2016. (Read more)

 

» First Ascent provided Francois Pienaar and friends with the appropriate gear to tackle Kilimanjaro in order to raise funds for MAD, a Cape Town-based charity organization with its main focus on providing educational opportunities for talented less fortunate children, formed by Pienaar and friends in July 2003. (Read more)

 

» The Soweto Open was launched last week the Arthur Ashe Tennis Stadium in Soweto. During the ceremony Ian Smith gave the executive mayor of Johannesburg, Amos Masondo, a gift – a 300 Aerogel 4d braided. Dunlop sponsors a men’s and women’s tournament.

Issue 24

» The Competition Commission last week issued summonses against cycling retailers, Fritz Pienaar Cycles and Cycle Lab because of alleged discussions on price fixing – a charge that has been denied by the retailers, who claim that they met to discuss the state of the industry. (Read more)

 

» Sensational Angling Supplies have taken over the local distributorship of Eagle Claw from Angling Africa Wholesale effective on 1 March.

 

» Dave Turnbull of Reebok is a proud dad of baby Damien - his first son and second child.

 

» SA adventure racing unit, Team McCain Adventure Addicts, are going to Spain to participate in the Bimbache Extrem Castilla y León, which will take place 16-23 May. They finished 2008 as one of the top adventure racing teams in SA. (Read more)

 

» The 9th Swazi Extreme, Southern Africa’s longest-running expedition race, will take place 24 April. Over 260 athletes are expected to compete in the race which takes place in the Kingdom of Swaziland. (Read more)

Issue 23

» Representatives from Canterbury International were in South Africa this week to continue discussions with a number of potential new licensing partners. “They hope to reach an agreement with a suitable company over the next month and full announcement will be made as soon as anything is officially signed”, says Simon Bristow, PR for Canterbury International

 

» Sports Brands, distributors of Optimum, recently donated T-shirts, rugby balls, gum guards and practice cones to the eShowe Junior Rugby Club, which has about 50 development players ranging from U16-U18.

 

» Title Sports has registered a patent for their freestanding floor level gym training boxing ring. The ring also allows for four punchbags to be hung – one on each corner.

 

» The third leg of the Spur HI-TEC Adventure Sprint series around Grabouw ended with teams of 2-3 people competing by running, crossing water by rope and mountain biking. (Read more)

 

» The Asics cycling team has been invited to compete in the Giro del Capo that will run 4-8 March.

Issue 22

» On deadline, there was no news yet about the appointment of a Canterbury distributor in SA, although an announcement from Canterbury International had been expected this week. By the end of this week the liquidators had released some stock for distribution to retailers awaiting orders (Read more).

 

» Chantelle Dias left the Skye Group at the end of January. Dias was with the company for five years and most recently held the position of Marketing Brand Manager.

 

» Capestorm has appointed new agents. (Read more)

 

» O’Neill has announced the signing of an exclusive long-term licensing and distribution agreement with Pure Sport Apparel. (Read their official press release)

 

» Cycles Africa has acquired the sole distribution rights for SUNringle and Wheelsmith Spokes. SUNringle is a range of high performance rims, hubs and wheel sets for mountain, road and BMX bikes. Wheelsmith Spokes is a range of high performance bicycle spokes and nipples.

 

» Massmart Holdings has achieved a Level Five Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) contributor status. (Read more)

Issue 21

» Brimstone has applied for the voluntary liquidation of Fifth Element Marketing, which owns Canterbury International SA. Read more in the next newsletter and the February/March Sports Trader.

 

» Musgrave Agencies have added two more brands to their extensive line-up. They are now also the licensed distributors of the lifestyle clothing brand O’Neill, as well as of Manchester United supporters wear. At the end of last year they also became the distributors of Salomon in SA (see News Trader Issue 20).

 

» Arnell Botha (Tel: 083 771 0889 / 021 761 6265) of Anvil Trading cc has been appointed the new agent for Everest Sport in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape.

 

» The fax number for I&J Products, distributors of Tournagrip, have changed. Their new fax number is 086 695 3514.

 

» DarkChild Productions has secured the right to distribute the And1 basketball range in SA and 11 other countries in Africa. They will be promoting it as a lifestyle brand at basketball events planned for this year. Tel: 011 494 4077.

 

» A new management team has taken over the DAM SA distributorship from Trevor Beaumont. Nils Stomnes, a qualified CA, will be responsible for supply chain and administration. Samantha Geyle will be in charge of marketing and well-known angler Byron Kane brings more than a decade’s experience in sales and marketing to the team. Their telephone and address contact details remain the same.

 

» Mark Byrne is the new general manager of Umbro SA. The contact number has changed to Tel: 021 462 0118.

 

Bronx shoes, distributed by Jordan & Co, has signed eTV sports anchor Lance Witten as an ambassador for this SA street fashion label, known for its stylish and comfortable shoes. “Lance is young, trendy and talented making him the ideal representative for the Bronx footwear brand,” says brand manager Wayne Stanford.

 

» The Cape Piscatorial Society has come to an agreement with CapeNature that rivers favoured by fly fishermen will be zoned for recreational trout fishing. (Read more)

Issue 20

» The distribution of Salomon was taken over by Musgrave Agencies at the beginning of December. This comes after the announcement that internationally Salomon will become a more focused performance and lifestyle apparel brand and specialist footwear outdoor brand. (Click here to read the official press release)

 

» Tony Dearling has been appointed MD for Skye Footwear.

 

» Ian Agar (GM), Brian Fish (retail manager) and Neil Brown (HR director) are no longer with Jordan Footwear.

 

» Lara Mackay, sales and marketing manager for Umbro SA, has left the company after three years. You can contact Mackay on laramac@mweb.co.za.

 

» Capestorm opened their 10th store in Cavendish Square, Cape Town, during December. The 110m² site is on the first floor next to Timberland and opposite the central elevators. This is the company’s 4th store opening of 2008 following successful launches of stores in Clearwater Mall and Bedford Centre in Johannesburg and in Somerset Mall, Somerset West.

 

» Protea team members Albie and Morne Morkel have signed with PUMA. Morne will play in PUMA boots and use their bat and protection gear. Albie will play in PUMA boots. Both will wear PUMA sportslifestyle ranges off the pitch.

 

» Island Style’s Pro Team signed Travis Logie and Stacey Guy. (Read more)

 

» For the first time since Q1 2006, CPIX inflation expectations have declined, reports the BER Inflation Expectation Survey – Fourth Quarter of 2008. The expectations for 2009 increased by 0.1 percentage point to 8.2% while those for 2010 declined by 0.2 percentage points to 7.2%. (Click here to read the report)

Issue 28

» FINA has announced that the Speedo LZR Racer suit conforms to all FINA rules and regulations and has been approved for use in all FINA competitions, including this year’s World Championships in Rome in July.

 

» Arena has added another star swimmer to its stable. They have signed a two-year agreement with Sweden’s 50m and 100m freestyle specialist, Stefan Nystrand. They have also renewed their technical partnership with Germany’s 200m and 400m freestyle swimmer Paul Biedermann. (Read more)

 

» Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shiv Chanderpaul have again signed with Gray-Nicolls. Chanderpaul will use the Ignite and Sarwan the Predator bats.

 

» When facing the West Indies at Lord’s, Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook played with bat grips in The Lord’s Taverners’ red, green and blue stripes. The Lord’s Taverners is the official recreational charity dedicated to giving young disadvantaged (social, environmental, physical, learning) people a sporting chance. Cook is the president of the charity. They were joined by fellow Gray-Nicolls sponsored England players James Anderson and Graeme Swann.

 

» Exclusivity takes on a new meaning with the global launch of the 815 pairs of PUMA’s Ferrari football boots: just like the car, the 350 Euro (about R4 000) boots are meant for a very select few elite players. PUMA has combined the two fast paced worlds of motorsport and football with the introduction of the limited edition v1.815 Ferrari football boot, which pays homage to Ferrari racing cars and is designed to be one of the lightest and fastest boots on the market.

 

» New Balance’s trophy cabinet is overflowing – and we aren’t even half way through the year! Their latest additions come from international publications Health magazine and Event Marketer magazine. Their NB Burnout Tee won the America’s Healthiest Fitness Award in the workout top category from Health in their June 2009 issue and their LOVE/hate 2008 College Buz Program was awarded the Grand Ex winner by Event Marketer magazine (April 2009 issue).

 

» Adidas Group has announced new chief officers for sales and retail who will be responsible for both adidas and Reebok as of July 1. Roland Auschel will be the new chief sales officer. Michael Stanier is the chief retail officer. They will both report to Erich Stamminger, President of the adidas brand, and for Reebok to Uli Becker, President of the Reebok brand.

 

» Prince has launched a new racquet line, EXO³, which continues with the 0³ line and is being used by World #9 Gael Monfils at Roland Garros. Albert Montanes recently became the first ever player to take home an ATP title in head-to-toe Prince – he is one of about 50 touring pro’s playing in Prince footwear and clothing.

 

» American retail sales of sporting goods (footwear, clothing and equipment) fell 1% in 2008 to $53,4-bn ($53,5-bn in 2007) reports the US National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) in their report, The Sporting Goods Market in 2009. This is despite a 16% increase in the retail sales of shooting sports equipment. The NSGA forecasts that in 2009 sporting good sales will drop by another 1% to $52,3-bn. (Read more)

Issue 27

» Adidas has announced restructuring plans – removing the regional level from its management structure, closing retail stores and closing offices in Europe and Asia - following a net profit drop of 97% in the first quarter of 2009. Profits are down to €5-m from €169-m the previous year – and sales dropped by 2% to €2.58-bn. (Read more)

 

» The latest US consumer buying trends for outdoor gear show that there is still growth in the industry, but that consumer buying trends are undergoing a change. (Read more)

 

» Methods to beat the global retail downturn was a recurring theme during discussions at the 2009 Word Retail Congress, held in Barcelona 6-8 May. Just as the current business challenges are the direct consequence of a new integrated global economy, so too are the solutions, and retailers can no longer afford to operate or think in isolation, the delegates heard. (Read more on their website)

Issue 26

» America’s National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) has released their report, “Sport Participation – Series I and II”. (Read more)

 

» PUMA have signed an eight year sponsorship agreement, starting at the beginning of the 2009/10 season, with the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) seeing them becoming the official supplier and licensee of replica merchandise for Irish rugby. PUMA will supply the team and replica kit and training equipment.

 

» The Sporting Goods Manufacturing Association (SGMA) has released its “2009 State of the Industry Report” wherein it states that in the US the five best selling sports in terms of sales growth for 2009 will be fitness walking, lacrosse, running, aerobic training and camping.

 

» According to the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), the February 2009 retail sales for all core outdoor stores - chains, internet and speciality stores – drop by 17% to $341.2-m from $412.0-m. All three sections reported declines in sales across all four major product categories (equipment, equipment accessories, apparel and footwear. This is reported in the OIA’s “Outdoor Topline Report”. However, reports the OIA, hiking, camping, kayaking, canoeing and other easily-accessible outdoor vacation sports remained strong in each product category.

 

» Pony Inc. has filed a trademark infringement suit against Nike Inc. over the use of the “V is for Victory” in Nike’s online advertising campaign featuring Rafael Nadal and Sergio Aguero. Pony claims that the V imitates stylized chevron designs that have been used on their footwear for 35 years.

 

» Union Bank of California has agreed to extend Crocs’ existing credit facility to 30 September 2009. (Read more)

 

» The SportOneSource Group’s latest study, “What Women Want”, shows that US women are more likely to buy sporting apparel than footwear or equipment, the younger the female consumer the more frequent she will buy sporting apparel and women with children are more likely to buy sporting apparel than those without children.

 

» Due to the current world economic situation the prestigious Laureus World Sport Award ceremony has been cancelled and the money will instead be used to support the activities of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation – grassroots projects aimed at using sport to improve conditions in underprivileged communities, including several in South Africa. (Read more)

Issue 25

» Comments from Crocs Inc’s auditor that were included in their annual report show that the auditor has expressed doubt about the company’s ability to continue as a going concern. (Read more)

 

» As a reflection of the changes in the importance of world markets, Nike has announced plans to reorganise the company into six new regions – Emerging Markets (which will include Southern Africa), North America, Western Europe, Eastern/Central Europe, Greater China and Japan. This forms part of an ongoing global restructuring of the company announced earlier this year, which will result in fewer management layers and an increased focus on core category business areas. (Read more)

 

» The SGMA (Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association in the US) Sport & Fitness Participation Report (2009 edition) shows that sports and other activities that showed significant growth in America from 2007 to 2008 were either fitness, or family/social activities that do not cost much money to participate in. (Read more)

Issue 24

» McDavid has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against adidas claiming that adidas are infringing by importing foam-padded, compression shorts sold under TECHFIT into the US. These shorts are made in China by the process patented by the ‘325 parent – McDavid is the exclusive licensee for the ‘325 patent since June 2005.

 

» The World Retail Congress has announced that it is expecting an unprecedented number of the world’s most senior retail industry figures to attend a debate on economic crisis solutions that will be held 6-8 May at the Centro de Convenciones Internacionales de Barcelona in Barcelona. (Read more)

 

» Ashaway featured strongly at the KL Open with the women’s winner and a men’s semi-finalist playing with their strings. (Read more)

Issue 23

» Just-style has released a new report on the global swimwear and beachwear market, Global market review of swimwear and beachwear - forecasts to 2014. The report predicts that world swimwear growth between 2008 and 2014 could decline from 5.32% to 1.69% and drop the world market at retail worth from $13.85-bn to $13.25-bn. (Read more)

 

» Gym shoes/sneakers (what we would call cross trainers) was the athletic footwear category that showed the highest price rise in the US from 2007 to 2008, namely 4.1%, followed by jogging/running shoes, up 2.8%, and walking shoes, up 1.6%. These were some of the preliminary findings of the American National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) to be published in the “Sporting Goods Market in 2009” report later this year. (Read more)

 

» SportsOneSource has released a report, Sport Footwear Sales Were Flat in 2008. Prilimary estimates in the report show that American sport footwear sales grew 0.3% to $18.4-bn in fiscal 2008 through January 2009, compared to 2.6% growth during fiscal year 2007. (Read more)

 

» Electronic Arts is teaming up with Toy Island to create a line of athletic toys with the aim of teaching children how to play sports. (Read more)

Issue 22

» The New Balance 1063 road running shoe received the "Best Update" award from "Runner's World” (International).The 1063 is an NBX shoe, meaning that it is considered a high mileage, technical running shoe. It is a neutral running shoe with a lot of cushioning and good arch support.

 

» Hi-Tec has renewed a global footwear sponsorship with Amr Shabana. Shabana has been a Hi-Tec sponsored player for the past three years. (Read more)

 

» Hi-Tec has announced their two new Global Product Managers – Simon Bryant and Mark Tucker. (Read more)

Issue 20

» PUMA have partnered with Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) in America. (Read more)

 

» World number one Prince-sponsored Nicol David had her most successful year in 2008. She kept her Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Open title for the third successive year, bringing her 2008 WISPA World Tour title total to 10 and extending her unbeaten Tour record since October 2007 to 53 matches.

 

» PUMA have announced a collaboration with Leisurecorp and the European Tour in The Race to Dubai golf tournaments, which replaces the European Tour Order of Merit. The collaboration officially started at the South African Open Championship at Pearl Valley Golf Estates, won by South African Richard Sterne, and ends in The European Tour’s grand finale event – the Dubai World Championship, which will take place at Jumeirah Golf Estates. (Read more)

Issue 28

» Please remember to return the pre-registration forms for the annual local fishing tackle trade show, the SAFTAD Show, that were sent to tackle traders with the last Sports Trader magazine by fax to 011 943 4859 or send details by email to maryannh@mweb.co.za. The show will be held at the Unisa training centre, 2 Vinton Rd, Ormonde Ext 1, Johannesburg on August 1 (9am to 8pm) and August 2 (9am to 6pm). If you would like to attend, but had not received a registration form, please contact Sports Trader on email carin@sportstrader.co.za.

 

» During the week (3-7 August) following the SAFTAD Show, Ram Mountaineer and Adventure Inc will hold their annual show for retailers at the Delta Park Environmental Centre, 3 Delta Way, in Victory Park, Johannesburg (8:30am–5:30 pm). Contact Tatum Prins on Tel: 021 532 0549.

 

» Angling will also be promoted to the public at this year’s National Boat Show featuring Dive Expo, from 14 to 16 August 2009 at the Coca Cola dome, Northriding. A first for the show will be the Rapala Fishing for the Future workshops, aimed at inspiring avid fishermen and novices, the Casting Kids workshop for youngsters, the Wake Wars Wakeboarding competition and the final weigh-in of the Bass Africa Classic Tournament. Tickets are R60 for adults and R30 for pensioners and students (ID Required). Entrance for children under 12 is free.

 

» OutDoor 2009, which will run 16-19 July in Friedrichshafen, now offers 85 000m² of exhibition space over 12 halls and open-air grounds, which will hold 779 exhibitors from 39 countries showing over 1 000 brands. Pre-register and buy your ticket now and receive a significant discount. Click here to pre-register for this year’s OutDoor Show. (Read more)

 

» The new cycling trade show, Bike Expo, which runs 23-26 July in Munich, have opened pre-registrations. (Read more)

 

» China’s economy is proving to be more stable than forecasted. Asia Outdoor, which will be held 30 July-2 August, reported a 30% increase in exhibitor applications from 2008.Official Chinese reports show that industrial production has increased by 8.3% and retail sails have gone up 14.7% in the first quarter this year. The China Outdoor Commerce Alliance (COCA) has reported speciality retail sales of outdoor products totalling approximately $550-m during 2008 - a 30% increase over the previous year.

 

» The WSA Show, which runs July 31-2 August at the Las Vegas Convention Centre, will feature several seminars of benefit to retailers. (Read more)

 

» Golf Europe, which runs 27-29 September, has been moved back to the Munich Order Center M,O,C, and the PGAs of Europe returns as the conceptual event partner for Golf Europe. Among the confirmed exhibitors are adidas, Ashworth, Back Tee, Bridgestone, Callaway, Chervo, Galvin Green, Golfino, Hi Tec, Honma, Mizuno, Motocaddy, Nike, Odyssey, Srixon, Taylor Made, and Wilson. The PGAs of Europe returns as the conceptual event partner for Golf Europe. (Read more)

 

» The Outdoor Retailer Show has imlemented several cost-saving plans to help exhibitors and visitors during these tough economic times. (Read more)

 

» The launch of Messe München GmbH’s latest trade show, the lifestyle TheRedFlag, has been postponed until beginning 2010 and will not launch in June this year as originally planned.

 

» The ispo Social Awareness Award will take place as part of the ispo BrandNew Awards at next year’s ispo Winter 10, which will run 7-10 February 2010. (Read more)

Issue 27

» The SAFTAD Fishing Tackle Trade show organisers strictly enforce registration in order to attend the show and you will therefore benefit by pre-registering instead of standing in a long queue to fill in the form at the show. If you are in the fishing industry you will be receiving a pre-registration form with your April/May Sports Trader, which is currently in the process of being posted. If you do not receive an insert, please contact Sports Trader and let us know and we will send you one. Pre-registration closes Friday 17 July. If you are planning on attending the SAFTAD show on August 1 and 2 in Johannesburg, do remember to bring your business card with – not only is this a great way of giving suppliers your business information in a professional manner, but you will also need to hand in your business card at the registration desk to receive your visitors’ registration badge.

Issue 26

» Remember that bookings for the annual SAFTAD fishing tackle trade show, to be held from 1st August to Monday 3rd August, is now open. The show will again be held at the Unisa training centre in Vinton Rd, Ormonde, Johannesburg. Contact Mary-Ann Hodgskin on musicianunlt@mweb.co.za or Tel 011 943 4921.

 

» Ram Mountaineering and Adventure Inc will hold a show for outdoor retailers from 3rd August (last day of SAFTAD show) to 7th August at the Delta Park Environmental Centre in Emmarentia, Johannesburg. For information contact Tatum Prins on Tel: 021 532 0549.

 

» The Buy-Environmental Trade Show and Conference 2009 - which will be held 9-10 June 2009 at Vodaworld, Midrand - is a business-to-business conference designed to expose corporate buyers and government to the latest international trends, services and technologies in the environmental goods and services (EGS) sector. (Read more)

 

» Students, manufacturers and designers of products for the outdoor industry are invited to enter their products for the OutDoor INDUSTRY AWARD 2009 during this year’s OutDoor Show in Friedrichshafen (July 16 to 19, 2009). The deadline for registrations is June 15 2009. (Read more)

 

» The European Fishing Tackle Trade Association’s annual trade show EFTTEX will this year be held in Budapest, Hungary, from 12-14th June. See more at www.eftta.com. The rival European fishing tackle show, organized by Tackle Trade World magazine, has been cancelled.

 

» ICAST 2009, marketed as the world’s largest fishing show, will be held from July 15-17th in the Orange County Convention Centre, Hall A, in Florida, US. The Marine Aftermarket Accessories Trade Show (MAATS) is located in the same hall. For more information visit www.icastfishing.org.

 

» ispo China 2010 will again be held in March (4-6) at the China International Exhibition Centre (CIEC) in Beijing. (Read more)

 

» Action Sports Retailer (ASR) has announced that its 2010 trade shows will continue to be held in San Diego, California, with the autumn show taking place 3-4 February and the spring/summer show 14-16 August. (Read more)

 

» The new dates for the GDS and Global Shoes 2010 trade shows are 12-14 March and 10-12 September and will again be held at the fairgrounds in Düsseldorf. The September 2009 show is taking place 11-13 September.

 

» The WSA, which will run from 31 July-2 August and take place in the Las Vegas Convention Centre, is holding an early registration promotion. (Read more)

Issue 25

» The popular annual fishing tackle trade show, organised by SAFTAD (SA Fishing Tackle Agents & Distributors) will take place from Saturday 1st August 9am to Monday 3rd (12noon) in the same venue as last year, namely the Unisa training centre in Vinton Rd, Ormonde, Johannesburg. For more information about becoming a member of SAFTAD and securing an exhibiting booth, please contact Mary-Ann Hodgskin on Tel: 011 943 4921, Fax: 011 943 4859, Cell: 083 795 5588 or Email: musicianunlt@mweb.co.za.

Issue 24

» ispo china winter 09, held 19-21 February at the China International Exhibition Center (CIEC) in Beijing, saw a 17% increase in visitor numbers compared to the 2008 show, and over 300 international brands exhibited on 25 000 m2 of exhibition space. (Read more)

Issue 23

» The 107th GDS and Globalshoes shows will both take place 13-15 March at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre in Düsseldorf, Germany. (Read more)

Issue 22

» Petzl Charlet’s SUM’TEC ice axe has received the ispo Outdoor Award 2009 in the Technical Gear category.

 

» The 2009 Golf Europe will return to the Munich Order Center M,O,C. The show will run from 27-29 September 2009. (Read more)

Issue 21

» During the ISPO Show in Munich, on February 2 and 3 this year, the WFSGI will organize workshops on issues of importance to the sporting goods industry such as REACH (the European programme on restricted substances), Manufacturer Identification Guidelines (MIG) for the Vancouver Olympic Games, US Consumer Product Safety Regulations and Testing Obligations (CPSC), Sporting Goods Product Classification.  See www.wfsgi.org for more information.

Issue 20

» ispo winter 2010 will be held a week later than usual. It will run 7-10 February. This is due to SnowSports Industries America (SIA) changing their dates to 28-31 January, which presents a conflict with ispo’s traditional dates. The SIA show has also moved from Las Vegas to Denver. (Read more)

 

» The WFSGI (World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry) Forum will take place at ispo winter on 2-3 February. (Read more)

 

» The Sanlam South African Fashion Week (SSAFW) has announced that it has rescheduled its dates and will present the annual summer collections during April and the winter collections during October this year. This is to better accommodate the retail sector and their forward planning cycles.