Day One = Gear. Day Two = Youth. Day Three? Change. Mining has proven to be a destructive and brutal activity on our wild lands and everyday it's tearing apart the fabric of our country. Our dependence on coal has caused intense strife in all of our natural areas: forests, wildlife, water. Conservation Alliance speaker, Wade Davis, urged people to pick up the battle against mining on Day Three of the Outdoor Retailer Show. He stated that Canada has prided itself on its isolationist attitudes, but that mentality has started to become its downfall. The Sacred Headwaters in British Columbia are home to some of the last great wild places in North America. The area contains rich gold and methane gas deposits, which means desirable mining areas. With $25 billion removed from the land, Davis wonders why no of it has gone back into the community and the land. Although a anthracite mine has been approved, the CA was received a grant to begin protection actions.
What's Hot From Day Three:
- Patagonia gets a new CEO. After seven years, Casey Sheahan is looking for a change: and more time for family. Rose Marcario will be taking his place as the head of the most progressive outdoor retailer in the world. Marcario was the CEO of Patagonia Works and launched the $20 Million & Change fund that is dedicated to starting up outdoor companies. The transition has been smooth and the future of the company looks bright.
- Retailers are supplying Olympians with their spectacular uniforms. Columbia is outfitting the freestyle ski team. Auclair provides gloves for ski cross and speed skaters. North Face has input the design for the Freeskiing athletes. Olympians are honest. And gear companies love that.
- People have cut back on their camping time. Why does it matter? (Besides that it's just sad?) "Understanding the Camping Consumer" spoke directly to the outdoor retailers with ways to reach out and draw people back into the amazing activity that is camping. It matters because the average age of campers is increasing: from 29 to 33. And the demographics are mostly white. It is extremely important to emphasize the marketing strategy towards the younger audience. And these people are more inclined to shop online than in stores. And the outdoors needs to be promoted as accessible to all peoples. Why does it matter? Because camping is the gateway activity to the outdoors. It's the beginning to a life of love of the wilderness. And it's only a stones throw from hiking that trail or rafting that river or climbing that rock face. The primary reason: not enough time, which retailers can't really do anything about. The second reason: no one to go with. Which I can attest is my biggest deterrent. I love spending time by myself, but enjoying it with someone who is equally as passionate as me. Perfect. And that second one can be addressed by retailers.
- Capital Cities headline the OR. Their top song, "Safe and Sound" rang around the event and they give a little insight into their outdoor passions. Climbing Mt. Whitney and Mt. Shasta, a love for Arc'teryx and Boras packs, and crazy African safaris are just a few of the details we've learned about this unique band.
- Five Ten announces it will travel back to it's roots. Retro ad posters featuring Dean Potter advertise "risky, irreverent, fun" as the pull to the sport. Spring 2015 = "risk hiking." It's a thing.
- Update! Outdoor Inspiration Award winners! Company Award winner - Timbuk2. Group Award winner - NOLS: Expedition Denali. Individual Award Winner - Timmy O'Neill.
- ****Consumer Survey seeks to delve into the mind of the buyer in order to plan for the future of retail. Trends come and go, demographics shift, and the population is constantly changing. Consumers constantly change their desires, needs, and wants. The overall message? Slow down and think. "We want to get a deeper understanding of the market and take more time ti fully flesh out the different avenues that are starting to emerge. There isn't one answer." says OIA president and CEO Frank Hugelmeyer. Rapidly growing urban areas and the impact of new technologies are competing with the attention span of today's newest generations. One of the key focuses (AND I CAN'T AGREE WITH THIS ENOUGH) is the industry sells the product but doesn't sell the experience!!!!! It seems that everything goes back to education: even the outdoor industry. Surveys conducted to exiting customers said they were interested in certain activities but didn't know where to start and lessons were beyond their price range. Bringing outdoor activities to where the bulk of people live seems like a good start. A Colorado Springs fishing store started giving free clinics and within two years, they had introduced 800 people to the sport and their sales rose by 30 percent. Wow. The CEO's new catch phrase (brilliant btw), "I'm no longer just trying to sell product, I'm trying to sell the sport." The customer is the future of the business.
- Urban demographics + adventure travel = huge growth. Adventure travel is a $263 billion industry and isn't utilized by larger retailers. Exofficio travel head, Luis Vargas stated, "Showcasing elite athletes doing what only elite athletes can do isn't cutting it anymore. Your brand should be asking how to enable everyone to do great things." Jeff Ladra, JanSport's outdoor product manager said, "Now, adventure can begin at the front door. The sweet spot is versatile equipment that can cross over from a city day to a mountain day." The budget is for local travel. No one can travel to Europe for a week or to Peru for $2000. But living in Seattle and going snowshoeing at Mt. Rainier? That's doable.
- Outdoor Afro is making waves. What if money and time weren't obstacles? I'd be an adventure nomad the rest of my life. Outdoor Afro started introducing Africa Americans to the outdoors. One of the most under-privileged ethnic groups, it's hard to think of doing anything beyond working for your next meal or your kids school tuition. But with companies like Keen, REI, and Clif Bar, Outdoor Afro is striving to open our industry to a new demographic.
- Portable power is making the new generation's tech dependency a part of the outdoor experience. Thanks to Brunton it's easier than ever to charge your devices in the backcountry. As someone who is diving head first into the social media world, this is an important notion. Brunton scoffs at the idea of the outdoors being an escape from the tech world, saying that it's a way to get out and stay out longer. As an industry attempting to connect with the younger generation, this is crucial.
- Cold weather running just went merino
- No excuses trail runners
- Versatility in winter boots (great for PNW residents in a dry winter)
- Columbia, Timberland, Patagonia, Woolrich steal the show with there stylish casual footwear
- Yoga wear that can go from office to studio.
- Temple Flower yoga wear
- Nuts over trail bars! Olomomo nuts
- SnowXu collapsible snowshoes!!!
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