sportFACHHANDEL 03_2017 Leseprobe

24 | BRANDS | Outdoor 03.2017
Whether
coffee break or
refreshment – Klean
Kanteen is up to
both.
DRINKING BOTTLES
Boost through
innovativeness
Drinking bottles are experiencing a boom at present. Retailers as well as consumers are currently
rediscovering this piece of sports equipment and therefore, it is gaining a more prominent position in the
sports stores. The retailers reward the innovativeness of the suppliers with increased willingness to sell and
with commitment to service.
Text: Nicolas Kellner
Sigg offers bottles with all
four basic materials.
These innovative products should not be
treated as niche products, but need sophisticated
displays and diligent presentation. The
customers have high demands and, nowadays, they
visit the shop already well informed, according to
retailers. “Sustainable production and materials are
crucial for the customer’s purchase decision”, says a
salesperson of the sports store Sporthaus Olympia.
“We offer sports drinking bottles in different
sizes and designs made from stainless steel which is
low in harmful substances and BPA-free. Our range
includes drinking bottles with sports or loop
closures from different eco-friendly producers such
as Klean Kanteen, Ecococoon or Mizu. These
bottles are not only environmentally friendly, but
look nice as well”, says Oliver Rau of the Kivanta
drinking bottle shop in Weilburg. The bottles of
Hydro Flask, prized with the Red Dot Design
Award, are top sellers, too. The customers accept
prices between 35 and 55 Euro. In the Sporthaus
Knudsen in Kiel, drinking bottles are placed in an
eye-catching manner and the employees are prepared
to meet the increasing demand. Jens Holst of
Globetrotter in Munich is satisfied with the sales
of drinking bottles. The most popular brands in
sports stores are Camelbak and Sigg. However, the
range of brands is even broader; and it is profitable
for sports retailers to expand their assortment.
Nevertheless, the pressure to provide best service
and a high standard of know-how is considerably
increasing, as the wide range of new and traditional
producers demonstrates. Guido Schwarz, sales
manager at Katadyn Germany, says, “we have
been responsible for the sales of Klean Kanteen
for two years and we are pleased about the brand’s
positive development at the market. We recognise
that Kleen Kanteen is heading in the right direction.
Especially the #BringYourOwn campaign is well received
and appreciated and supported. With Kleen
Kanteen, we serve a large target group that stands
behind the company’s philosophy and is focused on
sustainability and environmental protection.”
Sandra Rückewold, spokeswoman of Sigg,
explains, “the business with drinking bottles is
subject to seasonal fluctuations with regard to the
material. The customers buy our classic models
mostly in the summer months; the insulated bottles
sell well in autumn.” In general, the products are
available throughout the whole year. According to
her, the brand is a strong partner for the specialised
trade, since the Sigg collection is composed in a way
that it is up to all seasonal trends at the POS. Above
that, Sigg is the only supplier that offers all four
basic materials.
The opportunities and the risks are clearly
defined. “Nowadays, the customer has a wide
selection, it is our main focus as well as our chance
to stand out from the competition with our strong
awareness of innovation and our high quality
standard.” According to Sigg, the modern customer
is well informed and the opportunity is to create
a positive image through the brand’s information
policy. Features such as free from estrogenically
active substances are becoming increasingly important.
Mrs. Rückwold further says, “We hope that the
sports goods trade will go forward into the future
with us. We require the retailers to be aware >>>
© HYDRO FLASK, KLEAN KANTEEN