ASR Remedies Holiday Buying Headaches

ASR Remedies Holiday Buying Headaches
ASR fills retailer and exhibitor buying needs with the launch of a 2-day holiday show in Newport Beach, California

Laguna Beach, CA (November 15, 2005) – The importance of the 4th quarter, holiday season in the action sports industry continues to grow. In response to the explosion of holiday buying in surf, skate, snow and youth culture, ASR is launching a trade show specifically for the holiday buying season. ASR Holiday debuts this May 31 – June 1, 2006 at the Newport Dunes in Newport Beach, CA.
 
“Retailers asked for an ASR Holiday show because they have not had a show to shop this important season. Manufactures are excited about the show because their products are prime holiday gifts, especially accessories,” says Kevin Flanagan ASR Show Director. “Now our industry has a home to buy and sell these unique, and what I am sure will be, creatively packaged holiday items.”

Dave Hollander, owner of Becker says, “To be able to put on my buying hat, see every line and write it all in 2 days will be so much better than having to wear that holiday hat for three weeks while the armies invade my office.  Color me stoked!”
 
Previously, retailers were forced to review holiday lines in their stores. These lines are launched just as stores start to bustle with summer vacation traffic. With more brands launching specific collections for the holiday season, the in-store buying can become a heavy task. Sun Diego stores owner, Dave Nash, says that December is his stores’ highest selling month of the year - “Does that tell you how important holiday is to my business?”
 
Traditionally December is the breakeven point for retailers – then it becomes all about profit. “A retailer can work hard all year, but holiday ranks right up there with initial spring kick-off season in importance,” says Roy Turner, President of the Board Retailers Association.
 
“This is a great chance to pull together key retailers for their best selling period, holiday,” adds Tom Holbrook, Executive Vice President of Quiksilver brands. As manufacturers have grown and expanded their lines, soft goods have helped build on holiday’s importance in the action sports industry.
 
With the most unified line launch dates of any season, manufacturers are finding the May/June dates work well for their business plans. “SIMA would like to give ASR credit for giving the manufacturers a platform to launch their holiday collection,” says Joel Cooper, SIMA Trade Show Committee chairman and CEO of Lost International. “Based on feedback received by SIMA’s trade show committee the dates fit well with the production lead times needed for the season.”
 
Surf, skate, swim and youth culture brands are enthusiastically signing on for ASR Holiday. You can count on seeing holiday lines from Quiksilver, Billabong, Element, Von Zipper, RVCA, Lost, Rip Curl and many others. Brands can get on board for ASR Holiday by contacting their ASR sales rep. To register as a retailer please go to www.asrbiz.com.