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.]
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by The Editors on December 3, 2009
Why pay full retail for snowboard gear this Christmas when (for those in Southern California) you can just shop a blowout warehouse sale and get your favorite (“non 09-10, old samples and old inventory”) gear and rock bottom gotta-go prices. Better yet, maybe a couple of them will get together and you can get all your holiday shopping done at once.
686, Modern Amusement, and Paul Frank Industries are throwing a huge party/sale this Friday and Saturday December 4-5, 2009 in Irvine, California. The sale also features a taco cart, DJ and “free giveaways.”
Warehouse Blowout Sale, 20 Goodyear, Irvine, CA 92618
by The Editors on December 2, 2009
Same store states at core mall retailer Zumiez fell 8.5 in November, according to a story on Reuters.
Analysts on average expected same-store sales at the retailer to fall 8.2 percent, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. . . For the four-week period ended Nov. 28, total net sales fell 1.8 percent to $32 million.
The stock closed up 20 cents today at $11.25.
[Link: Reuters]
by The Editors on November 19, 2009
A press release sent out yesterday titled 86 Companies Will Make Their Debut At The Snow Show by SIA talks about how many new companies are involved in the Denver show and SIA President David Ingemie is ecstatic.
“New companies take risks and provide the retailers with fresh ideas and excitement – they shake it up and keep things interesting year after year,” said David Ingemie, president of SIA.
So who are the “new” companies that SIA is so excited about? Some of those listed as “new companies” include Ski and Skiing Magazine (aka Bonnier Mountain Group), Briko North America, Kastle, Kneissl, Swivler, and Vans. All of whom have attended the show numerous times before. Debut?
We emailed Anovia Daniels, Communications and Public Relations Manager for SIA, so we could better understand the press release and she explained: “Many of them are brand new and some are companies that have revamped themselves and come back to the Show. None of the exhibitors were at the Show last year.”
Right. So there aren’t actually “86 new companies” making their debut at the show and the headline is for all practical purposes an complete lie, which may explain the “others are circling back” subhead. Damn those marketing people.
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by The Editors on November 19, 2009
You Will Soon‘s Dan Watson lays down some of the realities behind Berrics United and does it well in a post titled Unified Theory. . . Of Bullshit.
But what are the qualifications for a shop to be saved by the Unified Berrics? Is it the amount of work they’ve put into grassroots events? Is it proof that the owners actually skate? Is it a lifelong dedication to the culture of skateboarding? No it’s anywhere from 1440 to 5280 dollars. . . . Yes, as Exit Skateshop has pointed out via Twitter, what Berra forgot to mention was that the completely altruistic system that is the Unified Berrics is actually just a 12 month contract to have your skateshop advertised on The Berrics.
And as a commenter on Boardistan pointed out this morning that while Steve Berra says “there may be a war being waged” against small businesses by mall stores with “deep pockets and empty histories” The Berrics still sells product in the Canadian mall retailer West 49.
[Link: You Will Soon]
by The Editors on November 18, 2009
OC retailers rejoice. There’s a Sanuk company store coming just in time for the holidays. Then it will go away.
Sanuk sandals has reportedly opened a temporary shop in the OC’s Downtown Disney according to a story in the OC Register.
Sanuk, an Irvine-based footwear company, is scheduled to open a temporary location on Friday, said Suzi Brown, a Disneyland Resort spokeswoman. The casual store is scheduled to close in mid January.
Just think if all the brands opened pop-up stores for the holidays. . . as if it isn’t hard enough out there.
[Link: OC Register]
by The Editors on November 18, 2009
Witness Steve Berra’s tear-jerkingly earnest discussion of the Berrics Unified skateboard shop seal of approval program. Which is not to say we disagree with anything Steve has to say. As one PR executive mentioned to us: “Passion is a great weapon.”
If that’s true, this little video is a “firing AK-47.”
by The Editors on November 5, 2009
If you’re going to have to attend a function in a mall–a function that includes appearances by Christian Hosoi, Reef Mcintosh, Kalani Chapman, Kiaborg, Ray Barbee, and the Matson 3 (and those are some good reasons to get tricked into going to the mall)–it might as well be Oahu’s Ala Moana Mall, right? It’s all going down this Saturday November 7, 2009 as Vans celebrates their grand opening of their Oahu store.
by The Editors on October 16, 2009
In support of Boarding for Breast Cancer etnies has created a special-edition girls collection that is for sale during October 2009 (Beast Cancer Awareness Month). In stores now a percentage of the proceeds from each item sold will be donated to fund breast cancer awareness and educational programs.
Hooray for boobies etnies. . . follow the jump for more info.
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by The Editors on October 5, 2009
One of our favorite T-shirt and art stores, Crownfarmer is back online after a nearly two-year hiatus (which means our last purchase is getting really, really old) with a new squid shirt from Todd Bratrud.
From now until forever it will be holding hands with Club Mumble to bring you a t-shirt designed by a member in good standing along with a quick interview with them. . . Week 1 is a design by longtime Mumbler, Todd Bratrud! Click HERE to grab one of his tees or continue reading to learn a little more about Todd and what he does…
Nice to have Bob’s site back.
[Link: Crownfarmer via Club Mumble via The Skateboard Mag]
