All United Kingdom articles – Page 2
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Article
Opening up the Outdoors: A report from the Outdoor Industries Association’s annual gathering
The British trade body’s Annual General Meeting has been a great indicator of its national waymarks: it marked the speech from the Prime Minister about putting the country into lockdown, it was the first gathering I attended post lockdown, while this week, it marked the death of the monarch – ...
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Opinion
Sponsorship: Perhaps this is how it can be most effective?
Sponsorship can take place in a wide variety of forms, but should usually pay off in terms of marketing targets. Charles Ross shares what he sees as missed sponsorship opportunities in the Outdoor industry, and which have had unexpected success. He also illustrates that doing the right thing can be all that matters.
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Article
A colder, darker winter: Reducing energy costs in European retail
With energy prices skyrocketing and the need to replenish gas reserves before winter, everyone is doing their part, and global energy conservation measures have already been taken in the retail sector. While customer service and satisfaction are top priorities in retail, stakeholders may be reluctant to engage in actions that ...
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News briefs
10th annual OIA conference features inspiring speaker lineup
The tenth annual OIA Conference will be held Sept. 7 and 8 in Sheffield, England, at the Crowne Plaza Royal Victoria. The list of speakers published by the Outdoor Industries Association around the key theme of “Open up the outdoors for everyone, how our industry can welcome the new, challenge ...
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News briefs
More outdoor brands commit to Slide & OTS Winter
In the second year of the official collaboration between Slide and OTS, more outdoor brands have secured a spot at the 2023 winter edition. Show organizer Lesley Beck commented, “In addition to our returning snowsport and lifestyle brands, we have seen a noticeable increase in the number of inquiries coming ...
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News briefs
OTS 2022 scores well with visitors and exhibitors
The three-day Outdoor Trade Show (OTS) 2022 at the Exhibition Centre in Liverpool attracted 829 visitors, a 17 percent increase from the previous year. Interestingly, visitor statistics indicate that buyers are spending more time at the show: A total of 1070 visitors (including repeat visitors) came over the three days, ...
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News briefs
ZyroFisher expands existing distribution partnership with Camelbak
In addition to the existing portfolio of Camelbak’s cycling products, the U.K.-based company ZyroFisher will also distribute Camelbak’s outdoor, running, hiking, tactical and everyday bottles and drinkware products in the U.K. and Ireland starting June 1, 2022. The commercial activities will be overseen by Adrian Davison, senior brand manager at ...
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News briefs
Halfords wants to enter second-hand bike business
According to Retail Gazette, the U.K.’s largest retailer of automotive and cycling products and services, Halfords, has announced plans to sell second-hand bicycles in an effort to enter this increasingly lucrative market. The retailer is offering customers up to £250 (€300) for their used bikes, the report said. Late last ...
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News briefs
British retailer Ardblair Sports recruits Hanwag brand manager
Ardblair Sports Importers Ltd, the British distributor of Leki and Aku, has hired Chris King to replace sales manager Lilian Sullivan, who will leave the company on March 31. King joins from Fenix Outdoor UK Ltd, where he was Hanwag brand manager for the U.K. He will report to Kirsten ...
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Article
U.K. e-tailer SportsShoes.com stocks Patagonia’s Hike and Trail line
SportsShoes.com, an online retailer of running, hiking and fitness products headquartered in Shipley, Yorkshire, has entered into a retail partnership with Patagonia for the Californian brand’s Hike and Trail collection. Brett Bannister, managing director of SportsShoes.com, commented to local news website T&A: “We are hugely excited to have a brand ...
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News briefs
Finisterre shuns Black Friday to make the outdoors more accessible
Finisterre, a British outdoor B Corp, will turn Black Friday blue this year. Instead of discounts, the brand will donate £2.50 from every sale from Nov. 26-28 to the Wetsuit Project, which funds alterations to wetsuits to improve accessibility to the ocean. This is one of the new Finisterre Foundation ...
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News briefs
Inov-8 supports restoration of peatlands
Inov-8 will be donating 5 percent of online and in-store sales revenues generated from Nov. 15 to 29 to the Cumbria Wildlife Trust, which will use the funds to restore peatlands in and around the U.K.’s Lake District, where the running, hiking and fitness-gear brand is based. For Peat’s Sake, ...
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News briefs
UK National Snow Show debuts Oct. 23-24
This weekend (Oct. 23-24), the U.K.’s National Snow Show is set to take place at the NEC in Birmingham. The event organized by Raccoon Events, the company behind the National Running Show and newly launched National Outdoor Expo, claims to be “a mecca for winter sports enthusiasts providing a comprehensive ...
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News briefs
PrimaLoft receives Derryck Draper Award for innovation
PrimaLoft® has received the Derryck Draper Award from the OWPG (Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild) for its innovative and sustainable manufacturing process. The judges highlighted PrimaLoft® P.U.R.E.™ manufacturing technology, which reduces CO2 emissions by up to 70 percent during the production process. The award, named in memory ...
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News briefs
GFK sees U.K. consumer confidence weakening in September
In its latest U.K. Consumer Confidence Survey conducted amongst a sample of 2,000 individuals aged 16+, GfK market researchers see significant anxiety about the possible cost of living in the U.K. that leads to a hesitant buying climate and lower expectations for the future. All scores went down, with the ...
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News briefs
Early-bird bookings for Slide and OTS close mid October
The Slide and Outdoor Trade Show Winter, planned for Oct. 18-20 at the Telford International Centre, U.K., reports increasing demand for its exhibition space. According to the organizing company Rare Management, two-thirds of the space is already booked. For brands wanting to take advantage of reduced booking rates, time is ...
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News briefs
The U.K. Government invests £338 million to support active travel
The U.K. Government plans to invest £338 million (€393m-$466m) to further fuel the active travel boom seen throughout the pandemic. The package will include funding to build hundreds of miles of cycle lanes and deliver walking schemes as well as changes to the Highway Code and new requirements to ensure ...
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News briefs
Frilufts Retail Europe acquires U.K. retailer Trekitt
Frilufts Retail Europe AB, a subsidiary of Fenix Outdoor International AG, is expanding its European retail network and has acquired all outstanding shares of the British outdoor retailer Trekitt. To date, Frilufts already includes four retail chains operating in the outdoor sector, which generated total sales of €264 million last ...
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News briefs
Fenix Outdoor UK has a new managing director
Fenix Outdoor UK Ltd. has announced the appointment of its new managing director for the U.K., Paul Griffiths. Griffiths brings a wealth of industry experience from working with brands such as Arc’teryx and Salomon and will join the company on Sept. 1. He replaces current country manager Will Stanton, who ...
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News briefs
Simply Hike acquired by Astbury Collections
Simply Hike, a U.K.-based outdoor leisurewear and equipment specialist, has been acquired by Astbury Collections. Simply Hike sells products for hiking, walking, camping and skiing. The Simply Hike store in Reading has closed, and the retail brand has now become an entirely online operation based at Astbury’s headquarters in Alford, ...