Behind the Lines
TTWSNOW Biz has posted up previews of next year's decks (two from each company) and posted them online with some blurbs with companies' takes on the industry and trends. Click on the image above to read the Monument portion of Behind the Lines.
What are the biggest trends shaping the hardgoods market for next year?
More people are snowboarding these days of all ages, ability levels, and gender. You can cut and slice the snowboarding population in any number of ways and see who out there riding has a specific need, but the largest driving audience right now remains the perception of the core-park kid. Truth be told, if the industry is to stand on its own two feet, it needs to be looking at what the largest consumer purchase population is moving toward. If it’s the recreational “three-day-a-year rider” - lets smooth the boards out and make them more affordable. If it’s the core-park – let’s meet their needs. So, if by trend, you mean camber or pipe riders spinning back to back 10’s, those can shape the hard goods market but it’s not necessarily a good thing. We aren’t asking the true snowboarding population what they want; we’re telling them.
How have you responded to the industry-wide oversupply of last season?
Luckily we didn’t have much of an oversupply last season, and this season we sold out by end of November. This has never happened before. As a small company, we have to be careful of our numbers; we have to be smart with how much hard goods we overproduce and luckily we will not have a problem with overstock.
How are you working with retailers to help ensure strong margins?
The key continues to be strong communication for us - calling, advising, talking, working through the pricing issues with retailers. While we have to watch numbers carefully, we also know where we are and how we are doing - the strength of the small brand. We are extending economic stimulus incentives to our retailers as we did last year; and we will be unveiling new incentives at the trade show for show owners. Come visit the Monument Snowboards booth at SIA Denver to find out more!
posted by DAVE TRAN on January 20, 2010 at 10:41 AM in MNMNT BLOG
