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p14 :: Industry
Companies on the move
Lyle & Scott celebrates 140 with
heritage range
THIS YEAR Lyle & Scott, locally
distributed by Skye Distribution,
celebrates their 140th
trading year.
The brand’s heritage dates
back to 1874 when William
Lyle and Walter Scott founded
a knitwear company in
Hawick, a small town hidden
in the Scottish Borders.
In 2003 Lyle & Scott sharpened
up its fit and expanded
the horizons of the brand,
attracting a new generation
of young, talented music, TV
and film stars. The Golden Eagle proved particularly
popular amongst the noughties indie
pop scene and could be regularly spotted on
bands like Arctic Monkeys and Bloc Party.
Deeply entrenched within the trendy global
market — including a collaboration with Christian
Dior — Lyle & Scott grew to dominate the
fashion forward individuals’ wardrobe.
Nevertheless, locally, there was still a demand
for the bygone classic argyle knits.
It is because of this demand that this year Skye
Distribution decided to design a range catering
to the requests of local customers and retailers.
All products were produced using 100% lambswool,
and manufactured in Madagascar and Mauritius.
Centenary year for Brooks
BROOKS WILL be celebrating their centenary
this year by moving into two new headquarters:
in the US they are moving into a new
green building on the Burke-Gilman Trail
in Seattle, while the EMEA (Europe, Middle
East and Africa) headquarters are moving to
Amsterdam, which is centrally situated and
within easy reach of Europe’s biggest running
markets.
They will this year be targeting sales growth
in the EMEA region, where Brooks’ sales grew
27% in 2013. David Bohan, current Brooks
COO and president, will become president
of Brooks EMEA. In South Africa — part of the
EMEA region — Brooks is distributed by Clive
and Michelle Chowles of SBR Agencies.
“We have been very pleased with the growth
shown in Brooks since we were appointed the
South African distributor in late 2011 (product
in-store from July 2012),” says Michelle
Chowles. “Our focus and success in Speciality
Running Stores (SRAs) is aligned to the international
strategies and we continue to grow our
distribution points in South Africa, making the
brand more accessible to all runners.”
Despite tough economic conditions, the
brand grew their global sales by 17% in 2013
— since it became a standalone company in
Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Group
Sports Trader :: 2014 March
Adidas World Cup kit
ADIDAS HAVE launched the 2014
FIFA World Cup Brazil kits of seven of
the teams that will be wearing the
three stripes: Argentina (pictured
right), Colombia, Germany, Japan,
Mexico, Russia and Spain
(pictured left).These eyecatching
kits are the lightest adidas has ever created.
Adizero technology produces lighter kits
and an improved fit, enabling players to be
faster and more comfortable on the pitch.
The 2014 FIFA World Cup federation kits are
more than 40% lighter than equivalent 2012
kits. Weight has been removed from the main
jersey, collars and sleeve cuffs, as well as the
national federation crests — even from the
adidas three stripes. The shorts are now also
made with a new woven lightweight fabric for
increased breathability and a lighter waistband.
These innovations will give the players
extra freedom of movement and comfort,
while retaining resilience and durability.
The design of the kits are based on feedback
from the next generation fans in each country,
after adidas asked young people to explain
what made them proud of their country. This
was translated into the kit designs for each
country.
For the Russians it was the inspirational
feats of Russian cosmonauts in the 1960s,
and for the Argentinians, independence. The
Argentinian kit takes its inspiration from the
in 2011, Brooks reported sales growth of 34%
in 2012 and 34% in 2011. Brooks’ results were
formerly reported in the annual Berkshire
Hathaway report as part of Fruit of the Loom,
which includes Russell Athletic, the Brooks
owner since 2004. Brooks became part of Warren
Buffett’s assets when Fruit of the Loom
bought Russell Athletic in 2006.
Brooks has been focusing mainly on specialist
running products since Jim Weber became
CEO in 2001 and has become a market leader
in specialty running stores (SRAs) in the US.
According to market research company Leisure
Trends they consolidated their position
as the brand with the biggest market share in
US specialty running stores (SRAs) with a 29%
dollar share.
According to their 2013 annual report,
Brooks’ neutral running shoes account for
46% of all running shoes sold at SRAs. Sales of
their more cushioned running shoes Ravenna,
Glycerin, and Ghost, grew 72%, 53%, and 52%
compared to last year. Apparel sales grew 16%.
“In South Africa Glycerin, Ghost, Adrenaline
and Cascadia remain the key footwear styles,”
says Chowles. Brooks received several awards
during the past year:
• Ghost 6: Editor’s Choice award from Runner’s
World for the fourth year in a row and
flag created by general Manuel Belgrano, one
of the main liberators of Argentina and a great
hero in South America. The Colombian kit reflects
the traditional hat sombrero, vueltiao.
"#unidosporunpais", meaning “united for our
country”, is written on the back of the colourful
shirt.
The new German kit is inspired by the value
placed in quality and hard work, personified
by the leading industrial architecture.
An engine graphic theme represents the
power of the Japanese team and is inspired
by a turbine with 11 lines, representing the 11
players on the pitch.
The Mexican kit is inspired by Mexican artistry,
wrestling icons and the give it all attitude
of the Mexican country. The new kit is bold,
creative and features a disruptive superhero
style design.
The red colour of the home jersey unites
Spain, while the gold flashes symbolise the
current golden era of Spanish football.
Clive and Michelle Chowles of SBR Agencies
2013 Shoe of the Year award from the Independent
Running Retailers Association;
• Cascadia 8: Editor’s Choice award from Runner’s
World and Best Trail Shoe award from
Women’s Health;
• PureConnect 2: Best Buy award from Runner’s
World;
• 2013 Vendor of the Year award from the
Independent Running Retailers Association
(IRRA) for the third year in a row.