Retail

ASRn’t: Here Ends A 29-Year Tradition

by The Editors on November 2, 2010

Asr+LogoBack in December of last year (2009) when we heard that several trade shows were flying retailers in and putting them up for a couple nights just so they could walk the isles of a convention for two days we asked a rather obvious question in a post titled Skate Trade Show Overload:

We have to wonder what happens to the entire trade show business model when they have to pay retailers to attend. Lord knows retailers need to be treated well these days, but it still seems to bring us back to the question that’s been plaguing the boardsports business for several years: are trade shows even relevant anymore?

It would appear that today ASR’s parent the Nielsen Company answered a little late with a resounding “No” according to a post on Shop-eat-surf.com. According to what Tiffany Montgomery described as “multiple people briefed on the matter” ASR has cancelled all of their upcoming trade shows. She says:

The demise of the industry’s largest trade show on the West Coast, with 700 brands, 450 manufacturers and attended by 18,000 people from over 60 countries, has the potential to dramatically alter the trade show landscape in the action sports industry.

Nielsen VP of Operations Lori Jenks is quoted in the the San Diego Union-Tribune:

“Unfortunately due to the difficult economic environment and the consolidation in the action sports industry, Nielsen Expositions have decided to suspend the production of both ASR events in San Diego indefinitely,” wrote Lori Jenks, vice president of operations for Nielsen Expositions.

As we all know, the only companies who stand to be hurt by ASR going away are the small and the new. But then they’re the ones who get in the way of the big corporate labels anyway. The major labels can afford to do their own sales work, and if the barrier to entry on the little guys gets a little higher through all this, who really cares, right?

It should be even better news for Agenda’s Aaron Levant. His show has always specialized in the small guys. If ASR leaving the trade show game is good news, Levant didn’t want to talk about this afternoon. The only response we got from him was, “No comment on the ASR situation.”

[Link: Shop-Eat-Surf and San Diego Union-Tribune]

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Brixton Rebel Motorcycle Club Party

by The Editors on November 2, 2010

Brixton Dues

Brixton will be celebrating the release of the Brixton x Deus Motorcycles collaboration Thursday, November 11th, Thalia Surf Shop in Laguna Beach, California.

The night will kick off at 7pm here at the shop for giveaways, raffles, and vintage bikes on display along with all of the Brixton x Deus hats and apparel. At 9pm we’ll then be moving the party down the street to Laguna’s oldest bar in town, The Marine Room [21+], where we’ll be hosting the rest of the night with live music by Becky Lee & Drunkfoot, Yuma Territorial Prison Guard, and Thalia Surf’s own DJ Burnout.

Retro fashion greasers rejoice.

[Link: Brixton]

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Tom Campion: Zumiez Mastermind

by The Editors on October 28, 2010

Screen-Shot-2010-10-27-At-41657-PmWe’ve always been intrigued by Zumiez founder Tom Campion; not because of the company’s size, or its total sales, or strong stock. What we find amazing about Campion is his ability to communicate the Zumiez brand message to all of his employees. The skill with which Zumiez takes seemingly lost kids off the street and turns them into retail selling machines is legendary, as anyone who has attended the annual Zumiez 100k will tell you.

What is most shocking on meeting Campion is how such a quiet, thoughtful man can engender such enthusiasm in his employees. Transworld Business‘ Mike Lewis interviews Campion. Here’s a little of what Tom said:

I always have had a little problem with authority—authority that’s not justified—“You do this because I’m the founder and I’m going to go out and play golf,” or some bullshit like that. Doesn’t that translate into problems throughout business or society? If you’re going to have vision and you’re going to lead, you got to lead by example not just by words. . . . You can’t do one thing one year, and a new one the next. There has to be consistency over time so [employees] know what’s coming. You have to believe it yourself and you have to be honorable about it. You’ve got to appreciate the fact that they’re working to make the sale. They are the face to your customer all the time. What you tell them has to be consistent.

Much easier said than done. Click the link for the rest of the interview.

[Link: Transworld Business]

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Rezoning Newport’s Frog House

by The Editors on October 20, 2010

56899687Newport Beach, California’s world famous Frog House Surf Shop will stay in its current location even regardless of city zoning issues thanks to the efforts of the local surf community, according to a story in the Daily Pilot.

At the Oct. 12 City Council meeting, Councilman Steve Rosansky said the city is working with the Frog House to rezone its property. Dozens of supporters had called Rosansky and other city officials on the Frog House’s behalf, and more than 10,000 supporters joined the shop’s Facebook page. . . Rosansky said that “T.K.” Brimer, the owner of the shop and the property, needs to apply for a zoning change and an amendment to the general plan. . . “Once he does that, and assuming it’s approved, he will be able to continue operating in that location,” Rosansky said at the meeting. In the meantime, Brimer and other property owners have filed requests with the city to delay enforcement of the zoning rules.

T.K., we know city paperwork is a bitch, but the community has done their part, now it’s time to do yours.

[Link: Daily Pilot]

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Family Arrested After Zumiez Shoplifting

by The Editors on October 19, 2010

Zumiez-NotaglineTwo children ages 10 and 11 were arrested on Saturday, October 16, 2010 after being accused of shoplifting from a Zumez store in the Natick Collection mall in Natick, Massachusetts, according to a story on MetroWest. But that wasn’t all.

After mall security held the tiny bandits for release to their parents a 17-year-old acquaintance of the children was arrested for “disorderly conduct and resisting arrest” when he tried to take custody of the children. And the mother of one of the children freaked out in the parking garage and was arrested for “driving to endanger, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.” A four were taken to the local police station and later released.

All in a days shrinkage reduction work.

[Link: MetroWest]

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Gourmet Skateboard Cuisine At Johnny Rad’s

by The Editors on October 6, 2010

Johnnyrad PizzaBaltimore, Maryland’s Johnny Rad’s Pizzeria Tavern borrows its name from the singer in The Bones Brigade Video Show, its logo from Black Flag, and features a menu inspired by some of skateboarding’s finest. One example is the Nomad salad named after Bill Danforth. But the most surprising thing about Johnny Rads, according to Baltimore Sun food writer Rob Kasper, is that the food is good.

The menu was limited — bar fare, salads and pizzas — but the dishes had flair. A bowl of house-made hush puppies ($5) came with a creamy horseradish sauce that was outstanding. We polished off the sauce before the hush puppies, in part because the hush puppy portion size was so generous. . . Another bit of bar fare, the el vortex, a black bean hummus ($6) a vegan dish (Pugh is a vegetarian) that came with ample servings of carrots, and celery.

Johnny’s is owned by Rich Pugh and Steve Ball and as Kasper says in his headline, “Skateboard dudes can cook.”

[Link: Baltimore Sun]

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The Frog House’s Zoning Issues

by The Editors on October 4, 2010

Froghouse LogoThe Frog House, Newport Beach, California’s most famous surf shop, may be getting to boot thanks to being located in an area that has been zoned residential since the 1970s, according to a story in the Daily Pilot.

In 2006, Newport Beach was updating its general plan, which included taking action on zoning restrictions. Two years later, an ordinance passed that required the city to take action on Frog House and three other nonconforming properties in residential areas. . . “[In 2008] the choice was that the commercial uses in residential uses have a year to abate or apply for appropriate modifications or permits, or they would have to leave their location,” Hunt said. . . Although the public has had access to the ordinance since 2008, Hunt said that the city did not contact Frog House directly when the change happened.

But the Frog House isn’t gone yet. . . apparently there is still some paperwork that can be done to prolong the process. Hopefully, it will be allowed to stay until the owners choose to shut it, sell it, or move it. Click here to join the Save The Frog House facebook group.

[Link: Daily Pilot]

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Billabong Pulls Pants Up, Adds 38 Stores

by The Editors on October 1, 2010

Billabong Logo-2Billabong today (October 1, 2010) announced that it will acquire Australia’s Surf Dive ‘n’ Ski and Jetty Surf shops from the General Pants Group adding 38 retail locations to its growing brick and mortar presence, according to a story in The Australian.

“The acquisition presents the opportunity to extract significant synergies in areas including warehousing, distribution, back-office support and overall retail management consolidation,” Billabong chief executive Derek O’Neill said. . . “Additionally, direct retail operations greatly enhance Billabong’s visibility into the buying trends of the end consumer and assist in the speedy development and delivery of on-trend product to both company-owned and independent retail accounts,” he said.

That brings Billabongs total retail fronts to 558, according to the Sydney Mourning Herald and will add three percent to the company’s annual revenue. Buying retailers in bulk is such a nice way to open new doors.

[Link: The Australian and Sydney Morning Herald]

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Active Sports Inc. Picks Up Sierra Snowboard

by The Editors on September 29, 2010

Sierra SnowboardIf a California bankruptcy court gives the final okay, the Minnesota based Active Sports Inc., parent company of The House, Proboard Shop, etc. . . will end up paying $8 million for the Sacramento, California based Sierra Snowboard, its web site and inventory according to a story on Transworld Business.

According to court records, the purchase price includes all intellectual property, assets, good will, and none of the company’s liabilities. A payment plan has been outlined for the $8 million outlining financial milestones Sierra’s owners, Michael Anthony Management, Inc., must meet. According to Active, the Northern District Court of San Jose, California approved the sale, subject to certain closing conditions on September 28. . . Final court approval is still required.

Sierra’s self-reported 272,302 registered online community members must have factored heavily into what seems like a high sale price for a bankrupt retailer with only one location, especially considering the reported $12-13 million in “outstanding trade debt” that still has to be dealt with by someone. Then again, it’s only money, right?

[Link: Transworld Business]

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Britney Spears Shops At Zumiez

by The Editors on September 23, 2010

Britney-Spears-240When the bloated former pop singer Britney Spears goes shopping for a new skateboard she heads straight to her local mall and drops in on Zumiez, according to a story on People.com.

Britney Spears had an active afternoon with her boys Preston and Jayden: The trio headed to the Westfield Topanga, the pop star’s neighborhood shopping mall in Canoga Park, Calif., where Spears stopped into Zumiez, a snowboarding and skateboarding shop.

So that’s who buys skateboards at Zumiez.

[Link: People.com]

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