Opinion
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OpinionGorpcore – the new Athleisure?
Those of us who have been in this industry since the last Millennium will remember the switch to professionalism in the 1990s when the company founders brought in business specialists to develop their brands. Outwardly, this meant that production was relocated to the Pacific Rim, but it was also the ...
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OpinionConsumers seek solace outdoors: Key trends and insights from OR Summer 2024
Discover how the outdoor industry is evolving with trends from Outdoor Retailer Summer 2024. From casual outdoor fun to fashion-forward gear and sustainable practices, learn how consumers find solace and cope with modern life outdoors.
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OpinionRecap: OTS 2024 Sustainability Breakfast
The British Outdoor Trade Show summer event has copied the principle of the European Outdoor Group’s (EOG) gathering on the second morning of the show to get interested people in the same room to focus on a subject. Whereas OutDoor by ISPO has migrated to the whole reach of the ...
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OpinionPurpose; Passion; Profit – what counts most?
Those students who I have taught know I am a fan of Malcolm Gladwell – someone I first met in person 26 years ago in Colorado. Best known for his Tipping Point and also Outliers books, I always recommend Blink as an important text to read. The latter is about ...
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OpinionEmma Zwiebler: Why movement is the best prescription for a healthy workforce
In this opinion piece (originally published on the WEF Agenda blog), Emma (Mason) Zwiebler, CEO of WFSGI, examines the growing cost of physical inactivity and what employers can do to help employees integrate physical activity into their workday.
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OpinionOpinion: (CSR) Standards – Worth the effort?
Ana Kristiansson prompted a lively debate on LinkedIn around “Are Certifications Bullsh*t?” and it has been interesting to follow the multitude of comments on the platform. Ana is one of the good guys, and the post highlighted that not everything is that straightforward. Perhaps my main conclusion is that everyone ...
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OpinionThe bad reputation of the textiles industry: Are we ever going to get rid of the misconceptions?
Our columnist Charles Ross comments on EOG’s recent announcement that the first project funded through its Impact Accelerator Fund (IAF) initiative will focus on improving access to renewable energy in Taiwan and will be led by an organization called Act Renewable.
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OpinionCorporate social responsibility - could this be a way to reduce staff fluctuation?
There has been a culture change towards employment in my lifetime: no longer are workers expecting jobs for life. The change has already happened but is sparking something greater with those affected. My graduating students realize they need work skills and know that a period of attachment with a brand ...
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OpinionAccessories at Performance Days: It is the little things that make the difference
In terms of ingredient sourcing, the brand names associated with a product can tell a lot about it. If a jacket is made from Gore-Tex, you know that it is using some of the best materials (which usually means the item has a higher price point). The same association is ...
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OpinionAn open letter from Mark Held on the future of outdoor trade shows
The European Outdoor Group (EOG) asked Mark Held, its co-founder and former President, for his take on the situation regarding trade shows as a whole. In response, Mark wrote an open letter to the industry from his own perspective.
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OpinionDesign: This Industry’s most underused superpower?
In the run-up to the Performance Days in Munich, our author Charles Ross is wondering whether we might be overlooking the most obvious solution to our problems…
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OpinionThe circular economy: How well are outdoor brands actually doing it?
The buzzword of the corporate social responsibility teams has now been part of the diction for a decade – but how have brands fared with circularity? Has the word become as meaningless as sustainability has (which means all things to all people)? Circular economy is also being greenwashed The most ...
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OpinionRecap: The British Snowsports trade show Slide/OTS Winter
Telford hosted the British Snowsports trade show Slide/OTS Winter again, but this time with MCS (who provide the back-office services for the Outdoor Industries Association) in the organizer role. Imagine a smaller version of ISPO – but with the snow, brands included and a lower price for being there. A ...
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OpinionThe Rise of the Intelligent User: Are brands keeping up?
Our columnist Charles Ross looks back on the past year and takes a closer look at the new generation of consumers, with whom he can relate as a former gear nerd himself, but whose modern consumer universe looks a little different than it used to.
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OpinionIngredient sourcing shows: The future of trade shows or just nerd nirvana?
Is there a future for trade shows? Our event aficionado Charles Ross thinks so, if they make one big change. And one show is leading by example.
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OpinionFrom Evolution to Revolution – Performance Days 2023
Performance Day’s Functional Fabric Curator Alexa Dehmel and “fabric nerd” Charles Ross present a picture diary and summary of October’s event.
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OpinionOpinion: A recap of EOS 2023 in Berlin
The European Outdoor Summit, the annual gathering of the Outdoor Industry, is the closest thing offered to expand the thinking of the trade – and it does a pretty good job of it. Anyone looking for inspiration from within the market will be in the vicious circle of trying to ...
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OpinionProduct design in the outdoor industry – where to start
Charles Ross’ resume of more than 25 years blends work with outdoor brands, teaching roles on fashion and sportswear design courses at various universities, and his own love of all-things performance fabric related. He is therefore the ideal person to answer the question: How can we improve the future of ...
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OpinionTrade shows: “Sometimes the value cannot be beaten”
After OTS in the UK, Charles Ross still sees value in trade shows. The best bring leadership, collaboration and are moving with the Industry.
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OpinionThe mountain and the metaverse – Synergy or contradiction?
Following our interview with Christoph Engl, the CEO of Oberalp, conducted at the 5th Oberalp Summit, we present a follow-up article by sportswear expert Alexa Dehmel, who looks at the event on the topic of “Metaverse” from a designer’s perspective.
