by The Editors on December 31, 2009
Costco, the bastion of action sporting bargains, is now happy to be selling trips to Valdez Heli-Camps for only $999.99 according to their website.
The Alaska Heliskiing Experience 3 Day Trip: . . 3 days all-inclusive lodging with a 25,000 vertical feet punch card . . Vertical feet is measured by the distance between where the helicopter drops the skier off to where to the skier gets picked up . . Guided skiing . . Deluxe lodging, meals, all specialized safety gear, local transportation are included . . Must be 18 yrs old to participate or have valid parent or guardian waiver . . Airport transfers in Valdez and local transportation is included.
That’s a savings of $600. Costco really is the future of action sports retailing.
[Link: Costco]
by The Editors on December 22, 2009
After buying Swell.com in the US it appears that Billabong is looking to pick up Surfstitch.com, an Australian online surf retailer, according to a story in the Sydney Morning Herald Billabong.
Billabong International Ltd says it has entered into a conditional agreement to acquire an interest in online board sports retailer, Surfstitch. . . The agreement will allow Billabong acquire a minority equity interest in Surfstitch, with options to acquire 100 per cent of the business.
Add one more right move to Billabong’s growing list.
[Link: Sydney Morning Herald]
by The Editors on December 17, 2009
Burton is going all in on their current Web Presents promotion and it’s worth checking out simply for the voyeuristic spectacle of the whole thing. It started on December 15, 2009 but we just got over to check it out.
The whole thing reminds us a little of the old JenniCam Show popular in the late 90s because it proves just how much we all love watching normal people do stuff no matter how boring it is.
Then again $1,000 shopping sprees to the “next person to walk into the NYC Burton store with a orange tank top on and say the words ‘cold room'” can be compelling content.
[Link: Burton.com]
by The Editors on December 17, 2009
by The Editors on December 16, 2009
West 49, a Canadian action mall retailer we’ve constantly referred to as the “Zumiez of Canada” announced today that they have “secured a new vendor relationships with Volcom, Inc and plans to introduce branded apparel in all West 49 stores this coming Spring.”
“We are excited about our relationship with Volcom, Inc. and the potential to grow our businesses incrementally together,” said Sam Baio, Chief Executive Officer of West 49 Inc. “The addition of the premium, athlete-driven Volcom brand, is in keeping with our stores offering the ‘Best Brands on Earth’.”
The thing we find most surprising about this announcement is that Volcom hadn’t been in West 49 all this time. Then again, everyone is probably a little more motivated to do some deals now than they have been in the past. Click here for a quick breakdown of West 49’s business.
[click to continue…]
by The Editors on December 15, 2009
No need to drive all over southern California to get bargains at a warehouse sales when you can just drive to your local warehouse action fashion retailer CostCo for some fashionable Zoo York hoodies for only $19.99. Zoo York’s new corporate parent Iconix knows all about distribution. And just in time for Christmas, too.
by The Editors on December 11, 2009
by The Editors on December 10, 2009
Hey, SoCal action bargain shoppers there are only two days left to get in on the RVCA Holiday Warehouse Sale: December 11-12, 2009. And if you don’t want to wait in line with the civilians you can buy a $25 and you and a friend can cut right to the front of the line.
Speed Passes will be sold per hour on each day of the sale. Each Speed Pass purchased will allow 2 people in at the time purchased. Getting to RVCA early before your time is suggested, that way you can get in and start shopping right away when your time is called.
People must really love them some RVCA.
[Editors’ Note: This post has been updated to correct obvious errors. The sale is free, cutting in line with a SpeedPass is $25 for two.]
[Link: RVCA Holiday Warehouse Sale]
by The Editors on December 9, 2009
Yesterday, at the surfy-swank Shorebreak Hotel in Huntington Beach PacSun’s CEO Gary Schoenfeld reportedly filled his suppliers ears with words of “belief and passion for action sports brands” like a drowning man espousing the virtues of life rafts.
Okay, we made that last part up. We weren’t there. But luckily, Shop-eat-surf.com‘s Tiffany Montgomery had a front row seat and was kind enough to post a wonderful slideshow filled with photos of people so desperately hoping to sell more screen-printed T-shirts in America’s malls that they were willing to sit in a small room and listen to Mr. Schoenfeld for an entire hour.
[Link: Shop-Eat-Surf.com]
by The Editors on December 7, 2009
On Friday December 5, 2009 Agenda co-founder Aaron Levant and The Berrics co-founder Steve Berra announced (not without some hyperbole) a “revolutionary partnership” in which a “brand new section dedicated to skateboard brands” would be added to the January 8-9, 2009 Agenda Show in Huntington Beach. Agenda promised to “travel and accommodations” to all 61 shops listed on the Berrics Unified skate shop listing.
Then this morning (December 7, 2009), Blackbox Distribution owner Jamie Thomas announced (not without some hyperbole) a press release in which the Crossroads Retail Show and ASR have teamed up to present the “ultimate skate focused retail show” which will be added to the February 3-4, 2009 ASR Show only it will be held outside in the parking lot of Petco Park. Without promising “travel and accommodations” Crossroads is “committed to making sure that 100 of the nation’s key retailers. And what do you know, “space is limited.”
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?
Follow the jump for both press releases.
[Editors’ Note: Turns no one said Jamie’s press release was “all-encompassing statement.” We have removed the erroneously attributed quote from the above post.]
[click to continue…]
Costco, the bastion of action sporting bargains, is now happy to be selling trips to Valdez Heli-Camps for only $999.99 according to their website.
