I was lucky enough last week to be at IASC’s Skateboard Industry Conference. I was sorry to have to leave early, but among the things I enjoyed doing while there was making a presentation. As part of that presentation I showed some numbers provided by Snowsports Industries of America and I wanted to share them with you. Here they are for five complete snow seasons. 2007/2008 2008/2009 2009/2010 2010/2011 2011/1012 More…
Some Interesting Numbers
May 15th, 2013The Confluence of Internet with Brick and Mortar, and Notes from Nike’s 10Q
April 5th, 2013Nike filed its 10Q for the quarter ended February 28th on April 4th. You can see it here. An actual analysis of their financial statements seems like a waste of time. I’ll mention a few comments I pulled out, but then I want to get on to what they are saying about e-commerce as it seems to be consistent with what other companies are saying. The first thing about Nike’s 10Q and conference More…
The Changes at Quiksilver; A Broader Industry Organizational Perspective
February 27th, 2013On Monday, The Editors at Boardistan, posted a still evolving story about cuts to Quiksilver’s team rider programs. Here’s a link to the post. As Boardistan points out, at that time there had been no official announcement from Quik, so we didn’t know the extent of the changes. They then make the insightful comment that “…Hollister doesn’t spend a dime on “core teams” and they don’t seem to be having any problem More…
Trade Show Evolution: The Boardroom with the Vans U.S. Open. I Like It, I’m There.
February 20th, 2013Over the years I’ve had a lot (some would say way too much) to say about Trade Shows. I’ve suggested there were too many, that they were too expensive, that the internet made them less necessary, that they’d lost focus, weren’t efficient, and that the way product was sold into broader distribution made them less important. The poster child for most of these issues was ASR which, as you all recall, More…
Aunt Jenny’s Egg Beater, Hoodies, and Water Heaters; The Evolution of Manufacturing, the Future of Fast Fashion and the Impact of the Internet
January 21st, 2013My Aunt Jenny died maybe 12 years ago at the age of like 97. I helped clean out her house and one of the things I saved was her egg beater. It was made by the Dazey Manufacturing Company in St. Louis. I don’t know if it’s 60 or 90 years old. The company is out of business. I didn’t keep it for sentimental reasons (I mean, it’s an egg beater). I kept it because More…
I Went to the Know Show. I’m Back
January 18th, 2013I haven’t been before, and I didn’t stay long, but that’s a really good thing because it’s an indication that the show is accomplishing just what it’s supposed to be accomplishing. The show was full of focused retailers paying close attention to presentations by reps and, as far as I could tell and from what I was told, writing orders. Sometimes there would be ten or twelve people sitting in More…
What’s Going on With Rip Curl?
January 11th, 2013I don’t generally have a way to get good information on Rip Curl, but somebody sent me the interview below with Rip Curl co-founder and owner Brian Singer. Why don’t you read it, then I’ve got a comment for you. Rip Curl co-founder and owner Brian Singer speaks exclusively to the Surf Coast Times about Rip Curl sale. Rip Curl will only be sold to a company that looks after More…
More on Winter Resorts Targeting Baby Boomers: I’m Not the Only One Who’s Worried
January 10th, 2013You may recall (or not) that about a month ago I wrote an article expressing some concern that winter resorts were targeting baby boomers. My point was that dependence on high income baby boomers couldn’t be an exclusive, long term strategy because, inconveniently, those people are going to get older sooner and stop snow sliding. When that happens, it would be nice if we had some other customers. Now, a gentlemen I’ve More…
Trade Show Season or, “Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It’s Off to Sell We Go!”
January 8th, 2013My list this year includes Agenda, The KNOWSHOW in Vancouver, and SIA in Denver. Part of me would like to go to others, especially Surf Expo, part of me wouldn’t and, like all of you, I figure it out based on schedule, resources, expected results and, frankly, my tolerance for travel. I liked Agenda as usual. Also as usual, people think it’s a bit early but on the other hand it doesn’t More…
My Wife’s Cosmetics and Skateboarding
December 29th, 2012My wife uses Bobbi Brown cosmetics and I doubt most of you really care. Like me (and I’m guessing all the guys who read this), until right now, you’ve probably never heard of Bobbi Brown. Maybe some of my women readers know it. I care that my wife looks great but not what brand she chooses. Hmmm. That sentence is probably worth some discussion, but first I’d like you to check out More…
