Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1172000
I KNOW I AM DATING MYSELF BY SAYING THIS, but outside of our industry, two of my favorite types of stores to shop in — even in 2019 — are book stores and record shops. When you go in these stores, you have a pretty good idea of what is inside. But still, while in the process of flipping through record bins or walking through book stacks, it's inevitable you'll find something you didn't even know you wanted until you see it right in front of you. The fact that you can't find these stores on every corner also makes them feel "special." This ability to offer consumers a sense of discovery is a trait shared by the best specialty retailers across the board. The best running shop or fitness boutique in town probably does not carry the exact same brands as every other store on the block. Our feature on "The Ones to Watch" is also about this theme of discovery. In this issue of the magazine, we talk to retailers, brands and consumers about activities, trends, brands and products. What sports are consumers gravitating towards? Which brands are specialty retailers excited about? What categories do retailers see trending up? What do the statistics tell us about which activities and product categories will be impacting the industry in the year ahead? The articles in this issue focus on what we discovered. Turn to page 18 to hear what specialty retailers have to say about what's selling in their stores right now, which categories they are excited about, and how they find new brands to carry. One retailer told us, "We want brands that we would personally use and that are not saturated in the market." Another shop owner said, "Keeping things dynamic is important. I try to drop two or three lines/models which are not producing and add two or three new each year. " We also heard, "we won't take something just because it's popular" and "our guiding question remains 'Is it right for our customer base?'" In our story on key industry issues to watch, we highlight youth sports that are on the rise; how the "hooks & bullets" category is being transformed; and why CBD might just be the next big thing. (See page 27 for more). And our latest consumer survey, conducted by MESH01, digs into sports participation and the purchasing habits of consumers. We asked consumers what compels them to purchase and try out new brands (price and friend recommendations) and which sports they are participating in. Check out their replies on pages 30 to 32. You never know what you might discover... Cara Griffin Editorial Director cgriffin@formula4media.com Shake it Up TIME OUT sportsinsightmag.com Editorial Director Cara Griffin cgriffin@formula4media.com Senior Editors Bob McGee Jennifer Ernst Beaudry Contributors Emily Walzer Suzanne Blecher Michael Jacobsen Publisher Jeff Nott jnott@formula4media.com 516-305-4711 Advertising Katie O'Donohue kodonohue@formula4media.com 828-244-3043 Sam Selvaggio sselvaggio@formula4media.com 212-398-5021 Art Director Francis Klaess Production / Digital Brandon Christie 516 305-4710 bchristie@formula4media.com PO Box 23-1318, Great Neck , NY 11023 Phone: 516-305-4709 Fax: 516-305-4712 www.formula4media.com Sports Insight Sports Insight Extra Outdoor Insight Footwear Insight Footwear Insight Extra Team Insight Team Insight Extra Textile Insight Textile Insight Extra Trend Insight sportstyle Subscriptions: store.formula4media.com One year, $24.00 (U.S. Funds) in the United States. All other countries, $54.00 (U.S. Funds). Sports Insight ® is a registered trademark of Formula4 Media, LLC. ©2019 All rights reserved. The opinions expressed by authors and contributors to Sports Insight are not necessarily those of the editors or publishers. Sports Insight is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or artwork. Articles appearing in Sports Insight may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express permission of the publisher.Sports Insight is published bi- monthly: Jan/Feb; Mar/Apr; May/Jun; Jul/Aug; Sep/Oct; and Nov/Dec. Postmaster: Send address changes to Sports Insight, P.O. Box 23-1318 Great Neck, NY 11023 4 • Sports Insight September/October 2019