ASR Blog

Outdoor Industry Exhibits Strong Q1 Growth

From OIA:

Quarter 1 2008 ended on a high note for the outdoor industry, as sales grew 9% in dollars against Q1 2007, according to the Outdoor Industry Association Outdoor Topline Report (produced by the Leisure Trends Group).
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Both the economy and the weather played a role in the outdoor retail sales this period. Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on February 2nd forecasting a cold spring and temperatures were obligingly low across the country in February and March. Consequently, winter categories outpaced Q1 last year by healthy margins. All outerwear gained 14% in units and 17% in dollars, winter equipment (nordic, randonee and telemark skiing equipment, snowshoes and backcountry equipment) grew 12% in units and 19% in dollars and winter boots grew 9% and 19% in units and dollars respectively.

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A Guide to Bouldering Lingo

From the Santa Barbara Independent:

If you have friends who engage in animated conversations about “crimps” and “slopers,” spend their time swapping “beta,” or whine about their “shredded tips,” there’s only one rational explanation: You’re hanging out with boulderers. Devotees of bouldering — a form of rope-free rock climbing that requires little gear — are thick on the ground here in Santa Barbara County, where the foothills feature a number of porous sandstone formations famed for their climbable nature. Strong fingers, a strong core, and good flexibility are key, but bouldering appeals equally to athletic outdoor lovers and technical thinkers; bouldering routes are called “problems,” and often require the same kind of patient tinkering as mathematical equations.

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China Earthquake Relief: Urgently Needed Items

UPDATE:

May 15, 2008

PRC Ambassador to the United States Zhou Wenzhong called the US-China Business Council (USCBC) this morning and asked USCBC to inform its members of a list of urgently needed items for the relief effort, in addition to the generous response so far for cash contributions. The two lists provided by the embassy--one for general items and a second of more specific items--can be viewed at http://www.uschina.org/public/china/2008/earthquake_supplies.html.

Companies wishing to learn more about how to donate these items should contact:

In the United States
The PRC Embassy, Washington , DC
Mr. Yao Ming
Tel: (202) 797-2246

In China
The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC)
Officials: Zhou Ping, Wu Haidong, Wang Wanping, Zuo Gang
Tel: (86-10) 6850-5540, 6850-5545, 6850-5547
Fax: (86-10) 6850-5546

From the US-China Business Council:

As many of you know, on May 12, 2008, China was hit by a large earthquake outside of Chengdu, Sichuan Province, in the country's southwest. Tremors from the quake were felt as far away as Beijing and Shanghai. A statement from China's Ministry of Civil Affairs today said that the 7.8 magnitude earthquake has killed over 9,000 people in Sichuan and several surrounding provinces.

Though we are still learning of the scale of the destruction, we know that many companies and associations are interested in assisting with relief efforts. The US-China Business Council (USCBC) has expressed the concerns and support of the US business community to both to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing and the PRC embassy in Washington, DC. Officials in both locations expressed their appreciation for US companies' desire to assist in the relief.

Click here for more info on how to help...

The Ethics of Climbing Roundtable

From PBS:

In this e-mail exchange, four climbers, each with a unique perspective on the risks inherent in climbing above 26,000 feet, explore the rules, standards of behavior and misperceptions in high-altitude mountaineering.

The panelists include: altitude sickness specialist Peter Hackett, M.D., editor of the Outdoor Recreation and Fitness Law Review James H. Moss, J.D., Everest climber and author Lincoln Hall, and expert climbing guide Jim Williams.

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McCain to REI CEO: What do you want me to do?

From the Seattle Times:

McCain told the room of about 100 people, including press, that promoting "green" business practices would be good for the economy because it will encourage ingenuity and new products. "I just firmly and steadfastly reject the notion that this is going to be something that's harmful to our economy," he said.
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He seemed particularly interested in hearing from Sally Jewell, chief executive officer of REI. He asked her questions about how offering recycled products has affected the outdoor gear cooperative's business. At one point, he asked her bluntly: "What do you want me to do?"

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Companies Band Together For Hikers in Need

Via OIA:

Over a dozen Outdoor Industry companies banded together to support Little Yoga Warriors’ Katherine Homes and her effort to deliver shoes and socks to Nepalese people in need. Homes embarks this week on an extended trek into the remote Dolpo region with industry donated footwear and gear, while also carrying rolls of duct tape and nylon rope for shoe repair and lace replacement of existing shoes.
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Homes’ intention is to provide shoes to children and adults who often hike barefoot for multiple days to attend schools or libraries within the Dolpo region, and consequently suffer from chronic foot problems. Her philanthropic vision has been met with an outpouring of support from Boulder-based businesses and outdoor brands, culminating into donations that total over 250 pairs of shoes and socks, and other gear essentials for the distant trip.

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Gas Prices and Outdoor Recreation

From the Minneapolis-St.Paul Star-Tribune:

Should fuel prices keep people closer to home, they might buy a kayak to paddle on a city lake, or upgrade their grills and entertain at home instead of eating at restaurants. Perhaps they'll fish on a Minnesota lake instead of flying out West. Or, families might choose a camping vacation instead of springing for a hotel.

"The outdoor enthusiast is going to participate no matter what," said Gander Mountain CEO Mark Baker. "They may not make as many fishing trips or travel as far, but they're still going to go."

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What do you think? Will rising gas prices help or hurt the industry in terms of participation?

Internet/Catalog Sales Webinar Set for May 19

From OIA:

The Internet's impact on the outdoor industry is already huge and growing every day. In this second in a series of webinars, the Leisure Trends Group and Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) offer an in-depth examination of the Internet/Catalog Channel of distribution. 

Using OIA's Topline outdoor data and the online data mining tool, participants will look at the size and growth of this channel, explore online sales trends, highlight key categories flourishing on the internet and compare average retail prices across online, specialty and chain stores. While deconstructing the online sales numbers, attendees will also be taught to mine this data, free to all OIA members, for themselves.

Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now by clicking here.

Click here for more info...

Consumers Buy Green Even In Slow Economy

From AllBusiness.com:

Chain Store Age is reporting that consumer interest in green products is up even in this down economy.

In a survey conducted by Mambo Sprouts Marketing, the report showed that 88% of consumers reported by the same or more green environmentally products than a year ago.  About 7 in 10 consumers are willing to spend up to 20% more for green sustainable products.

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Goodbye for Nau

From Nau.com:

"In the currently high risk-averse capital market, we simply could not raise the funds to continue to move forward. We believe this is not so much a reflection of the viability of our business, but the result of an unfortunate confluence of events. Just as we could not have predicted the sudden groundswell of environmental consciousness that blossomed at the time we launched our business, we did not foresee the current crisis in capital markets. At this time, investors are loath to invest in anything; especially, it seems, a company like Nau that has the audacity to challenge conventional paradigms of what a business should be."

Click for the full statement...