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Article Thumbnail SNEWS Editorial: Drowning in catalogs and press kits -- what a waste
Jul 15, 2009
An alert reader sent us the photo below, showing three stacks of promotional materials for the upcoming Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, all containing invites to come by a booth and check out the new wares. This is a specialty retailer who, like many, would honestly prefer to receive just one catalog or press kit for the store prior to any trade show. And, to make it worse...
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Guest Editorial: The audacity of adventure
Jul 13, 2009
“Climbing a mountain is a bad investment; any financial consultant will tell you that.” Jonny Copp wrote that in an article reflecting on his life that appeared in 2003 in the now-defunct "Hooked on the Outdoors" magazine. In an industry that in recent years has tried to contain and trademark the concept of “adventure,” Copp's words are an enduring reminder of the soul of why we do what we do.
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Article Thumbnail SNEWS Editorial: Is the fitness industry killing its own show?
Jul 1, 2009
Rumors and questions about the potential demise of the Health & Fitness Business show started filtering into the SNEWS® offices as early as last fall, but the ol' rumor mill ramped up into high gear in the last few weeks. It began to feel like a junior high school dance. Sorry, not even mature enough for a high school analogy. Everybody is buzzing about whether the other person was going, then nixing attendance for fear they'd be the "only" ones there. Like a speeding swirl of water rushing down a toilet bowl, so the industry has started to flush its own show into oblivion. Is that a cold slap in the face? You bet it is.
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SNEWS Special Report: A broken supply chain? The retail perspective
Jun 8, 2009
The quest to help facilitate the discussion around finding a solution to a badly flawed outdoor industry supply chain began with an email plea to SNEWS® in March from a number of retailers. The email called out a list of challenges to the way we buy and sell, from a retailer's perspective. After months of investigation, we found one common thread in this complexly woven tapestry: Everyone shares some responsibility for how we arrived at the current supply chain problem and everyone must act collectively to find a solution.
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Article Thumbnail SNEWS Editorial: Industry needs to avoid finger-pointing, witch-hunting in treadmill tragedy
May 29, 2009
In the hours and days after Mike Tyson’s 4-year-old died tragically on May 26 by strangling on a cord hanging off a home treadmill, the industry seems to have decided that a frenzy of finger-pointing and witch-hunting is the best response. Not only does this need to stop … now … the industry needs instead to use this accident as an impetus to band together and to educate the public.
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Article Thumbnail SNEWS Editorial: But the New York Times gave it a great review…
Apr 24, 2009
Somehow, flogging a favorable review has become an acceptable and even favored pitch from companies seeking to gain our interest in reviewing a product on SNEWS® -- “The New York Times said it was the best,” “Outside magazine rated it tops,” or “Health magazine said it was a great buy.” Since when did we all become lemmings?
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Article Thumbnail SNEWS Editorial: We are in extraordinary times, but beware of decisions for short-term gain
Feb 25, 2009
There is no doubt we are in most extraordinary times. With the New Year have come more layoffs, continued belt-tightening, disappointing financial reports, and increasing challenges as companies struggle to maintain a balance of budgetary mindfulness and investment for the future. Retailers across the board are running with lean inventories. As sales have slowed dramatically, inventories have often swelled in manufacturer warehouses. Unsold inventory, especially last year’s models, is not a healthy item to keep on a company’s books, so we understand that manufacturers must find creative ways to manage excess inventory levels. However, some ways are clearly better than others.
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Guest Editorial: Amazon is a community-powered platform
Feb 2, 2009
Thanks again to SNEWS® and Doug Schnitzspahn for providing a forum for the industry to discuss and debate Amazon and its place in the outdoor industry in the recent SNEWS Winter Outdoor magazine article, "Friend or Foe? Will Amazon.com help or hurt the outdoor industry?" A number of opinions were shared on all sides of the issue, but more than anything I’m just grateful for the dialogue. If you haven’t seen it, you can find the full article on www.snewsnet.com. I’ve decided to share some brief comments on the article here.
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Article Thumbnail Guest Editorial: Sustainability is a team sport, not a spectator one
Dec 29, 2008
As we head into the New Year and 2009, I wanted to reach out to our community and share some thoughts on the importance of OIA Eco Working Group project and why—more than ever—the trail we are on is critical for our respective companies, industry, communities and the planet.
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Guest Editorial: Canoe Rack is just the canary in the coal mine, vendors need to pay attention
Dec 16, 2008
Todd Frank, owner of The Trail Head in Missoula, Mont., shares his point of view on the closing of the Canoe Rack and vendors' influence on the area's boat market.
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Products and Trends
Industry News Releases
Grassroots Outdoor Alliance Welcomes Icebreaker as a Vendor Partner
Dec 22, 2011
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Jetboil Expands Management Team
Dec 22, 2011
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Switch Vision Joins 2012 East Coast Adventure Racing Series
Dec 22, 2011
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BioLogic Helps Social Networking Cyclists Track Data on the Go
Dec 21, 2011
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Liberty Mountain Joins Grassroots Outdoor Alliance as Vendor Partner
Dec 21, 2011
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National Ski Patrol makes branding move to unify divisions and patrols
Dec 21, 2011
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SNEWS Headlines
Mountain travel bookings continue uphill surge
Dec 22, 2011
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Gramicci leverages Haggar to lower prices on fall 2012 products, predicts consumers will reduce spending
Dec 21, 2011
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Outdoor: Movin' & Shakin' - Igloo names a new president; plus new hires at Backcountry.com, Leisure Trends, Mountain Hardwear, American Rec and more ...
Dec 19, 2011
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