Subj: SIA Show
Date: Sat, 8 Mar 1997 13:14:52 EST
From: SPORTS LTD
Message-ID: <19970308181400.NAA25211@ladder01.news.aol.com>
The SIA (Snow Industries Association) in Vegas just ended. The total amount of buyers was down about 5% due mostly to some overseas buyers that did not attend. As for Marker. Their clothing line will show increases much larger than the previous anticipated doubling. In talking to MANY other retailers, I would think that they could triple their previous sales in clothing. The snow binding systems are the only ones that have new technology
and Marker has already won the Mfgs category for the World Cup events, with 4 races still to go. Their new system address's some technical aspects that have been previously neglected (too complicated to go into here) So for this part of Marker business, which is the major part, they should continue to maintain and I believe, increase market share. For the snowboard side with their DNR interface (binding and boot system) and their snowboards,
they are getting very good market representation. In talking to other retailers of our buying group, which consist of some of the largest stores in the country, and other retailers that are very large independents, I find that most all are putting the Marker/DNR system into their stores. They feel that step-in systems are the future, and even though Marker?DNR is not number one or two, with the association between Marker, Tecnica, and DNR,
they will only become stronger. In other words - The Marker company name and reputation is helping the product get into stores. The product is constantly being refined. The company will soon be signing some name riders which will give it more exposure in the U.S. In Europe it is already well known, but the american riders relate to the american pro's.
As I think of other things, or other things arise - will post. If interested in my take on Morrow and Ride, see those folders. Remember this is MHO. Bob |
