BOSTON - While many retailers have opted to sit this one out, those buyers heading to Chicago later this week for the National Sporting Goods Association show say they'll be seeking out the next important categories beyond hiking and sandals for spring 1996.
Industry sources noted many large retailers, such as Woolworth's Athletic Footwear and Apparel division, which includes Foot Locker, are cutting back on the number of buyers they are sending to the show this year, which takes place July 16-18. Other retailers, including independents on both coasts, are following suit, or are choosing to skip the show entirely.
Those planning to attend, however, said the show will be an important indicator for them for spring. Many said the outdoor boom appears to be cresting, leaving them in search of new showcase categories. 'Hiking boots and sandals have hit a wall,' said Oscar Davila, president of Cal's Best, Chula Vista, Calif. 'The athletic footwear industry thought [outdoor] would be the next aerobics or that it would taper off [at a higher level] like walking has. The wheels just fell off,' he said.
Bob Timenski, vp, merchandising for The Sports Authority, Fort Lauderdale, agreed. 'Given the performance of sandals in 1995, I think the entire industry will be rethinking what to do with sandals,' said Timenski, referring to the current market glut particularly in low-end sandals.
Other footwear buyers contacted said their reason for heading to Chicago was to check out the red hot in-line skate category. Eric Martin, footwear buyer and co-owner of City Sports, Boston, said it was to review the in-line market that prompted him to buy a ticket to Chicago. 'A lot of the in-line reps are really pumped about that show,' said Martin.
Meanwhile, manufacturers exhibiting at the show are trying to add some excitement with new design concepts and collections and a focus on apparel.
Reebok International Ltd., Stoughton, Mass., which is returning as an exhibitor for the first time after a four-year absence at the NSGA, is debuting a new product collection called Mobius.
'Mobius is a cross category collection of shoes that features a common design element,' explained Terry Tracey, vp, U.S. marketing and merchandising at Reebok. The Mobius collection spans several categories including basketball, baseball, tennis, running, men's fitness, women's sports and some children's product.
Tracey added Reebok is using several of its top endorsers to promote the category, including ket-Shaquille O'Neal, baseball all-star Frank Thomas and women's basketball star Rebecca Lobo.
Reebok is also planning at NSGA to begin building excitement for product geared towards the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
Converse, North Reading, Mass., meanwhile, plans to debut its new head-to-toe look, following the acquisition of Apex earlier this year. The company said it will have new coordinated designs ready for spring 1996, with some styles being rolled out by Thanksgiving 1995 for holiday sales.
'We're not just a basketball company anymore,' said Bob Goehrke, senior vice president of marketing at Converse. '[Apparel] gives us an opportunity to push a much more branded message with these head-toe-programs.' Goehrke said Converse will unveil programs it is working on featuring the Dallas Cowboys and the universities of Kentucky and Arkansas.
New Balance, Boston, will also introduce a new line of apparel, mostly centered around its core running category. The company plans on running the apparel program on its own rather than licensing it out. Much of it is made in the USA as well, in keeping with the company's stance on domestic manufacturing.
Meanwhile, Adidas, Portland, Ore., plans on giving the crosstraining category a new twist. The emphasis at Adidas for spring 1996 is on sport-specific training, rather than crosstraining. 'There's been a misconception with Nike and others in using one shoe for multiple sports. You're working your body in different ways and each activity may have different needs,' said Adidas spokesman John Fread.
