by The Editors on September 4, 2008
From the size of the audience it would seem that specialty retailers have sales data on lock. Only about 14 people attended ActionWatch’s Cary Allington’s seminar at 1:30 PM today. And that is strange because he is offering a completely free way to know exactly what is checking in specialty retail shops across the country. More importantly, his data can be used to compare what retailers are doing in their own stores to the aggregate.
The catch? Retailers simply supply a monthly sales report that gets aggregated, given back to the member retailers free of charge, and then sold to suppliers. Currently, Allington has approximately 180 specialty retailers signed up but he’s hoping to get to 300.
There are great reasons for retailers to share data. One of our favorites is using the data to negotiate with suppliers to get better deals. If a retailer knows that brand “X” skate shoe is selling at margins that are below average, it would be nice to share that information with the supplier as leverage.
This really is about empowering retailers. “Retailers think they have much less power than they actually have,” Allington said.
And after all, data is power. Might as well have some of it on your side. But then again, these are specialty retailers. . . good luck, huh?
[Link: Action Watch Reports]
by The Editors on September 4, 2008
If listening to Quiksilver’s Bob McKnight read a statement and then answer anylists’ questions is something you find entertaining (like we do), then tune your Internet deck to www.quiksilverinc.com at 1:30 PST today September 4, 2008 and be enlightened and entertained all at the same time with Bob, Joe Scirocco, Marty Samuels, and Bruce Thomas.
[Link: MarketWatch]
by The Editors on September 4, 2008
Andrew Palmer is the new general manger at Ocean Minded (makers of some of the most durable stylish flips on the planet).
Mr. Palmer joins Ocean Minded with more than 20 years of experience in the action sports market. Notably, Mr. Palmer was co-founder of Animal, the leading action sports brand in the United Kingdom. As the CEO of Animal USA, Mr. Palmer was responsible for building the U.S. infrastructure while also overseeing global sales. Following his tenure with Animal, Mr. Palmer served as the Global Sales Director for Dragon Optical, Inc.
Company founder Gary Ward is “very excited to welcome Andrew to the team.”
Andrew’s global brand experience and proven entrepreneurial background will allow us to continue with our rapid growth plan. As GM, Andrew will take responsibility for the day to day running of the business and I will work closely with him to bring the Ocean Minded ideals to domestic and international markets,” Ward said.
You’ll get no snide comments from us on the Ocean Minded front. Not one.
[click to continue…]
by The Editors on September 3, 2008
Murder charges against Charles Richard Dobson, Jr. (pictured right) in the stabbing death of Folly Beach, South Carolina surfer Craig Massey were dropped today before a hearing was even held.
The case was scheduled for a preliminary hearing Tuesday to determine whether there was sufficient probable cause to bring the matter to trial. Instead, the hearing was canceled and the charges dismissed. . . . Andy Savage, one of Dobson’s lawyers, said the Solicitor’s Office made the right call, much to the relief of Dobson and his family. “We’re certainly not surprised by the action taken by the solicitor, which we think was appropriate.”
Dobson, who is from a prominent area family, claimed he acted in self defense.
Massey’s friend were not happy by the dismissal.
It’s very disappointing, and I don’t think it’s right that (Dobson) was let off with no accountability at all,” said Nancy Hussey, a friend of Massey and director of the Eastern Surfing Association. “This whole thing is just really sad. It’s such a tragedy.”
Some say the entire altercation was because of a love triangle between the two men and a 19-year-old girl named Mary Whilden Hills.
[Link: Charleston.net]
by The Editors on September 3, 2008
When Grant Boxall broke his neck surfing Western Australia, it was Taj Burrow who pulled him out. Boxall, who is now a paralympic rugby player in Bejing tells the whole story in the Sydney Morning Herald.
I went straight down and heard a crunch. I managed to get a few yells of help out. I tried to move my legs but nothing was happening. All the pain was in my head. I’d smashed it open. I was going under. I was panicking, it was all happening so quick. . . . Next thing I knew, this hand grabbed the scruff of my neck, or the back of my wettie, and ripped me back up. I was gulping air. It was Taj who grabbed me. He was saying, ‘Get on my board, try to get on my board.’ I was like, ‘I can’t, I can’t.’ It was just mayhem.”
Boxtall, who thought he was dying, was taken to the hospital by Taj and the boys. He’s been in a wheelchair since, but now he’s in the paralympics. All thanks to Taj.
[Link: Sydney Morning Herald]
by The Editors on September 2, 2008
For those in foreign countries, it’s a nice way to do business: set up the distribution of your favorite brand, get it rolling, and then sell it back to the brand. For the brand it’s a relatively cheap way to expand into foreign markets (with much less risk). That’s what Volcom just did with their Japanese distributor.
This acquisition is a testament to the strength of our brand in Japan after working with our distributor for more than 15 years,” says Richard Woolcott, chairman and CEO of Volcom. “We are excited to culminate a longstanding relationship with an opportunity to work more closely with our accounts in this important territory, while retaining our Japan-based distribution team.”
When it works out nicely, it’s amazing.
[Link: OC Metro]
by The Editors on September 2, 2008
Okay, Chad. This little ASR party planner thing is actually a good idea. We used to think it was kind of dumb, but now that our corporate butt nuzzling skills are a bit out of practice, it is nice to have all the parties down in one little PDF. From the design it looks like we’re not the only one’s who’ve got a thing for Monocle Magazine.
Click the link to download it.
[Link: Nixon Party Planner]
by The Editors on September 2, 2008
by The Editors on August 30, 2008
As the star of Quiksilver’s new film Just Add Water, Clay Marzo is bringing more attention to a form of autism called Aspergers. It’s also opening eyes to just what is possible for others with the condition.
More than a movie about a rising young star, however, it details Clay’s aptitude and unique personality, and his life with Asperger’s syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder that can make school and social situations challenging but also allows him to hyperfocus and exhibit exceptional talent in a specific arena.
Clay’s mother Jill Marzo wasn’t sure the movie at first:
“I was really nervous,” she admits. “I didn’t want to expose it. I worried that people would treat him differently or that he would be embarrassed by it.” Instead, the film and an extensive article in Surfer Magazine yielded e-mails from others inspired by Clay’s unique pursuit of his passion. That, she says, made the journey worthwhile.
[Link: Honolulu Star-Bulletin]
by The Editors on August 29, 2008
The Orange County Business Journal has picked up the story about Quiksilver finding a buyer for Rossignol. Not much new in this story other than two interesting numbers:
Shares of Quiksilver were down nearly 4% near the close of trading Friday with a market value of $990 million.
And this one:
After fees, Quiksilver is expected to see about $100 million in proceeds from the sale, according to Kummetz. . . That stands to have a small impact on the company’s projected debt of $1.1 billion at the end of its fiscal year in October, the analyst said.
So, in layman’s terms: by the end of October Quiksilver will have more debt than market value to the tune of $110 million. We’re not analysts, but that doesn’t sound good.
[Link: Orange County Business Journal]
From the size of the audience it would seem that specialty retailers have sales data on lock. Only about 14 people attended ActionWatch’s Cary Allington’s seminar at 1:30 PM today. And that is strange because he is offering a completely free way to know exactly what is checking in specialty retail shops across the country. More importantly, his data can be used to compare what retailers are doing in their own stores to the aggregate.
