Stay ahead of the curve and hone your commercial edge at the Summer edition of INDX Sports & Leisure, taking place on Wednesday 4 June at the West Midlands home of INDX Shows, Cranmore Park, Solihull.
Open to all retailers (you do not need to be an AIS Member), and free to attend, this one-day pop-up show specifically designed for UK and Ireland sports and leisure stockists is already shaping up to be the highlight of your buying calendar and visitor registration is now open: https://indxshows.co.uk/shows/sports-and-leisure
As part of the INDX group of trade shows, INDX Sports & Leisure is organised by Associated Independent Stores (AIS), the UK’s leading buying, event, and services group for Fashion, Home, and Leisure.
Commercially curated by experts with a wealth of knowledge and experience within the sports and leisure retail sector, this energetic show is an informal and relaxed opportunity for the industry to come together and connect, and for buyers to discover new products and meet key suppliers.
Driven by intel, trends and insight, this season’s product showcase will bring together an expertly edited selection of top names across, Running & Trail, Lifestyle & Activewear, Fitness & Training, Outdoor, and Team Sports.
Cranmore Park is an event venue with no distractions, easy to access and conveniently located. Offering visitors complimentary refreshments, free onsite parking, and a business focused environment to fuel business growth.
Running ahead of the pack
Alan Galloway, Head of Sports & Leisure, at AIS is looking forward to bringing everyone together at the June event and provides a sneak preview of some of the highlight’s attending retailers can’t afford to miss: “Running has been a key focus of the show since its inception. In line with global trends this product sector continues to grow, and we’re delighted to confirm that top brands including HOKA, Ronhill, Hilly, Topo, and Craft are set to headline the upcoming show.
“The Running category presents a huge opportunity for retail growth and according to industry bodies such as Running Industry Alliance, there’s not only more people taking-up running as a sport, with Gen Z being the driving force, but over the last 12 months there’s specifically been a rise in people running one to three times a week.
“There are also more and more people taking part in competitive running events, from 5k’s to marathons, so the need for recovery equipment is on the rise. Plus, wearable tech is becoming more and more important for customers, who are looking for data-driven insights to help them optimise their performance.
“Furthermore, Running Clubs and Group Runs continue to gain momentum, making running increasingly accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels. And what’s more, there’s the sense of belonging and social connection running promotes, not to mention the mental health benefits running brings.
“There are loads of ways retailers can get involved with their local running communities and we’ve seen lots of great examples of our AIS Members proactively supporting their local running communities; McKeever Sports recently hosted a HOKA demo evening allowing runners to get the first feel of the Bondi 9, Simply Sports support Run Reigate, and Armagh Sports were the banner sponsors of the Armagh International Road Race in conjunction with On Running”.
Swimming into focus
“We’re expecting the swimwear market to see strong growth over the next 12-18 months, driven by increased participation in water-based fitness and health activities such as wild water swimming and cold-water therapy.
“And back to the show by popular demand, we’re pleased to be joined by leading swimwear brand Zoggs, who’ll be exhibiting alongside Slipfree® and their latest colourful combinations.
“This product category is driving a strong sustainability message – so retailers can look forward to seeing eco-friendly materials, including recycled fabrics from ocean waste and biodegradable materials.
“There’s also lots of exciting tech-infused innovation, including swimwear with enhanced UV protection, temperature regulation, and even smart fabrics.”
An active lifestyle
“Gym+Coffee exploded into the UK athleisure market when they launched their collection at the INDX Sports & Leisure Show in December 2022. A stand-out success story, since then they’ve gone on to open accounts in 9 of our Member stores.
“A hugely collaborative and supportive brand, Gym+Coffee recently worked with one of our Members to host an instore yoga event. Capturing customer interest and elevating the customer experience – which is what retail today is all about.
“To continue the theme, Long standing show supporters Sports Group Denmark (Athlecia, Endurance and Virtus) will also be exhibiting at the upcoming show, alongside d3 tape and SHOKZ sports headphones.”
Newness and innovation
“We continue to evolve the show in line with market trends and we are always on the hunt for new brands and innovation.
“We can confirm that New Balance Cricket will return for their second show, and adding seasonal newness, we’ve also confirmed Bodyglide, Versus Socks, Laceeze Bands – fresh from Dragons Den, and Goodr, whose sunglasses range includes designs specifically created for runners to maximise their performance.
“We’d like to take this opportunity to thank the industry for their continued support of the show. We remain dedicated to supporting retailers and connecting them with the best brands in the business.”
Be part of the 2025 show, catch-up, source new products, and celebrate the industry at INDX Sports & Leisure.
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Useful links:
INDX Sports & Leisure information and registration:
https://indxshows.co.uk/shows/sports-and-leisure
Cranmore Park website: https://cranmorepark.co.uk/
AIS website: https://aistores.co.uk/
To talk to the team about exhibiting at the June 2024 show, please contact: Cheyenne.Spears@Cranmorepark.co.uk
