Despite travel disruptions due to heavy snowfall in the UK and a strike by Munich’s Transportation Authority, the GB sports trade was well represented at the ispo winter 09, which took place on February 1-4.
The world’s largest sporting goods trade show attracted around 60,000 visitors from over 100 countries to the capital of Bavaria, where the New Munich Trade Fair Centre housed 1,950 exhibitors.
For the first time companies from the UK and Ireland exhibited in a newly branded group area supported by the Outdoor Industries Association. In addition, The Federation of Sports and Play Associations brought a substantial group of exhibitors to the show and have committed to a larger exhibitor space for ispo winter 2010 as well as a promotional strategy linked to London 2012.
Retail buying group Allied Partners brought a group of 15 retailers to the event, while members of the Independent Sports Retailers Alliance (ISRA), a buying group from the Republic of Ireland, were also in attendance. In another ispo first, UK and Ireland retailers met formally with fellow European buying groups to exchange market information and ideas.
Says Manfred Wutzlhofer, chairman of show organiser Management Messe München GmbH: “We are pleased that ispo winter 09 and the sporting goods industry were able to enjoy such a positive result despite the rather muted economic forecasts. The atmosphere at the show was sensationally positive, thanks to a strong winter season. Many manufacturers invested in the development of new products, and also increasingly take into account the lifestyle demands of their target groups. Industry visitors were open to the new trends, products and collections, and expressed a lot of interest.”
Says Adrian Pointer, a member of Allied Partners and managing director of Simply Sports Limited: “Beyond the sports buying potential that ispo creates, our partnership with the show has enabled us to develop an outstanding retail communications programme on an international level. This year we have had our first meeting with other European retail influences such as Lex and Euretco to exchange ideas and market information, a powerful retail networking initiative for which ispo has provided the platform.”
ISRA coordinator Tom Foley was equally impressed with the event. “Brands should take advantage of ispo’s status as the only trade show of its kind in the global sports market,” he says. “For our retailers to see a complete product range showcased and not just a domestic offering gives them a welcome chance to broaden their buying opportunities and reference full product stories, as well as draw inspiration from ispo’s own many show features.”
Picture: courtesy of ispo
