Outdoori Vol 18 No 21 Page 1 12/06/2013

Retail comes under pressure The UK high street got off to a disastrous start in 2013; movie rental chain Blockbuster closed 129 stores and the 78-year-old camera empire Jessops slid into administration. They were joined shortly after by HMV with 223 shops nationwide. Government looked at the 28 recommendations made in an independent report by Ms Portas, which considered how to rescue the nation's ailing high streets. The Future of the High Street report was commissioned in 2011 as pressure mounted on the Government to address the issue but, nearly two years on, the future of the high street seems bleaker than ever. Consumer spending continues to be hampered by the poor economic climate and one in nine high street shops now stands empty as competition from online retailers remains fierce. The outdoor retail landscape is changing rapidly - the increase in value-driven out of town retail sheds, mono-branded stores, suppliers' own outlets and the internet as well as challenges from the high street are putting increased pressure on the independent. These and the general changing face of retail caused by a reduced consumer expenditure driven by economic factors means that what used to be to be a highly fragmented market proudly led by independents is quickly consolidating in favour of those who have adapted to changing circumstances. A situation underlined by the news that a batch of independents have recently gone out of business; these include: Peglers, Arundel, West Sussex; Loving Outdoors (website); Great Outdoors, Chester; Outdoor Gear 4 u (Four Seasons) Ormskirk; 914 Outdoors and CW Tents. Focused on fast and light gear for mountain athletes, MontRoc closed its Kendal store last month. The retail concept represented a new direction for the Mileta Sports Group, the company behind Tog24, with the ambition to become a multiple door operation over the coming years. The

expectation was to deliver 3 stores plus an online platform and review before further openings. The picture becomes even bleaker if we remind ourselves that the old Blacks/Millets chain has jettisoned some 130 stores during the past 18 months plus Tiso, Snow+Rock, Yeomans, Tog24 and Oswald Bailey have all closed stores that were described as no longer commercially viable following a combination rent and footfall reviews. Insolvency firm Begbies Traynor, which specialises in corporate recovery, said in a report earlier this year that there will be a rise in high street shops facing an uncertain future. There are current which it believes will not survive in their current form by the end of the year.

Outdoor i Vol 18 No 21 12 June 2013

TNF to reach $3.3bn by 2017 - Lafuma 60m loss Cascade appoint new UK agency Latest: Keen, BD, Gregory, Sealskinz, REI and Craghoppers - Company profile: L-­Fashion Group.

Outdoori Vol 18 No 21 Page 2 12/06/2013

Cascade appoints Pro Agencies Cascade Designs, has announced the agency for Great Britain. Effective July 1, 2013, Pro Agencies owners Matt Moore and Lawrence

Therm-a-Rest®, MSR® SealLine®, Platypus®, E-

xcellent customer service ethic, and enthusiasm will be a fantastic asset to our retailers, and their

Moore and Friell have a combined 30 years of experience within the UK outdoor industry with skills in sales, export, marketing, design and retail. The agency will operate out of its Lake District showroom in Staveley near Kendal. For more information, visit www.proagencies.com. Sealskinz establishes German sales operation SealSkinz is now handling its own sales distribution in Germany and Austria having appointed Frank Saeger as Country Manager. Saeger has spent over 30 years the industry working for brands including Reebok, Arena and Head Sportswear. Seven agents have been hired to help grow distribution and drive sales; one for Austria and six to cover Germany. Saeger will also handle key accounts. SealSkinz CEO Justin Adams said,

market. We have achieved some exciting growth already and decided the time was right to establish our own

Sales in England, Norway, Belgium, Sweden, the Netherlands and Germany have grown 30% over the past three years encouraging further expansion in the German and Austrian market. At the same time Sealskinz will increase its marketing investment and, while much of this will be directed from the UK, the company recognises the importance of local knowledge. With this in

Product distribution will be co-ordinated from a European central warehouse and a German-speaking customer service desk will be established available via a free telephone hotline. Bradshaw Taylor to handle Gregory As of the 30th June 2013 Bramwell International will cease to be the distributor of Gregory in the UK & Ireland. The reason for this change is, according to a statement from Bramwell, that Gregory wish to move to an agent model of operating with product being despatched from a European warehouse and invoicing direct from Europe. Gregory will be, effective from 1st July handled in the UK by Bradshaw Taylor.

range launch Craghoppers has recently hosted its S/S 14 range launch in front of its largest audience yet. The international launch, held at the contemporary Studio venue in Manchester city centre, gathered

de representatives. After what has been another successful year, Craghoppers is now distributed to over 20 countries, with new partners in Venezuela and South Africa. Germany and Ireland are success stories, with over 30% growth in 2012, but the US has experienced a phenomenal expansion, even at the early stages of its presence in the country, by trebling sales last year.

The brand has continued to evolve and we are now at a very exciting stage in our growth plan -

with top to toe protection from our exclusive fabrics and technologies, and garments suited for the lifestyle traveller to the walking enthusiast. Initial feedback from our key accounts has been

for 2014. Grylls has been filming for most of this year his new reality-competition series; will premiere in the US on NBC on the 8th July and later on the in the year

on the Discovery Channel in the UK and in 218 other territories. Two other series are planned for next year - Escapes from Hell and Extreme Survival Wonderland.