Latest issue

August/ September 2009

Featured articles:

You just can’t keep a good sneaker down

Carin Hardisty asks why the same sneaker styles keep on coming back (Read more)

Fitness meets Fashion

Fitness and fashion have merged in the latest footwear trend: shoes that give you a jolly good toning workout ... just by wearing them! (Read more)

Where have all the brands gone?

There are many questions surrounding the limited success of smaller team boot brands in SA, and why they struggle to establish a foothold in our sport mad environment. FANIE HEYNS investigates

WHY do brands succeed?
Tips from successful brand builders

The first challenge to building a brand is getting it into retail stores — not so easy if it has been in and out of the market like a yoyo and retail buyers don’t want to be caught again. (Read more)

R58-bn: SA golf market?

A recent study conducted on behalf of the SA PGA shows that the golf industry contributes R58.4-bn to the SA economy. NICOL DU TOIT found that under closer scrutiny, the picture is not quite that rosy. (Read more)

Golf shirts: Missed opportunities?

Most SA men own at least one golf shirt — although most of them would not be golf players. Golfers are popular casualwear items worn to the office, for recreation and yes, also on the golf course. Yet, few sport stores stock branded golf shirts, not even one’s that do well with surfwear. NICOL DU TOIT asks the question: are sport stores missing out on a lucrative market?

8 good reasons to stock darts

Growth, expansion, and renewed interest are welcome words in the current economic climate. These descriptions all apply to the darts market, say some of the main suppliers. But there are also several other reasons why it makes good business sense to stock darts. Reports PHUMLANI DUBE

Can tennis beat the recession?

Worldwide, tennis is gaining popularity and the trend seems to be repeated here. But, is it only gaining ground amongst the aspirant Federer’s and Nadal’s, or is tennis also growing at grassroots level? FANIE HEYNS investigates

The swim brands take FINA to task

It has been a long time since any sporting equipment or gear generated so much debate as the bodysuits used by elite athletes. Even though they have been worn by top competitors for the past fifteen years, the recent harvest of world records placed the suits under the spotlight and has led to a FINA ban on full bodysuits. The major swimwear brands are, however, not giving up without a fight. (Read more)

Own water polo body?

Will water polo participation and performance get a boost if it is administered by a dedicated sporting federation, seperate from Swimming SA? NELLE DU TOIT looks at best practices around the world

Allan Henning: A pro on course and a pro in store

Allan Henning, one of the big names in SA golfing history and a member of South Africa’s most famous golfing families, has also reached the pinnacle of his second career as club pro and on-course retailer. NICOL DU TOIT went to find out what makes him so successful as retailer

The Consumer is King

In the second article on the Consumer Protection Act, BEVAN FRANK explores its implications on the sport and outdoor industry with a focus on retailers. (Read more)

Make 2010 work for you

Judging by the short and vigorous spectacular we put on at the opening of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, we are going to WOW the world when they visit us in 2010. Are you as a retailer going to make sure that you share in the excitement and make the 2010 FIFA World Cup work for you? (Read more)

Nowhere to hide for illegal importers

New mobile scanners that look like unidentified trucks have given the SAPS anti-smuggling cargo-control unit in our harbours enough clout to make any counterfeiter or illegal importer think twice – or even three times – before attempting to sneak suspicious goods past their watchful eyes. This scanner is so effective because it can quickly scan a number of containers being driven past the innocuous-looking truck, without anybody realising that the content is being scrutinised on a screen. (Read more)

Cape Union Mart: Where adventure meets retail

The new adventure centre opened by Cape Union Mart shows that SA retailing can compete with the best in the world. (Read more)

OutDoor Europe shows industry is healthy

Sustainability is a growing trend in the outdoor industry with more brands incorporating it into their manufacturing, the 2009 OutDoor Europe trade show at Friedrichshafen showed. (Read more)

SAFTAD 2009: More visitors despite the recession

Not the cold, nor the economic gloom could keep visitors from enjoying the 2009 SAFTAD fishing tackle show. (Read more)

Backpacks: What customers want

Backpacks nowadays come with all kinds of innovations, extras and good selling points. But are these important to customers? What are the things that are important to most customers when selecting a backpack? BEVAN FRANK asked a few outdoor retailers what their customers want