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Outdoor Retailer today announced key findings from the Outdoor Retailer 2009 Retailer Survey. The online survey aimed to gauge the thoughts and feelings of retailers in relationship to their overall trade show experience and included topics like reasons for attending Outdoor Retailer, popular product categories and retail buying habits.
“Now, more than ever, it is necessary for us to maintain lines of communication with our buyers and attendees,” said Kenji Haroutunian, Outdoor Retailer show director. “The results of our most recent survey brought to light ways we can continue to evolve the show and ensure attendees see the most innovative supplies, technologies and products. Responses also confirmed we are on the right track with established events and programs that help attendees network and strengthen industry relations.”
The Outdoor Retailer 2009 Retailer survey was conducted over a six week period and was managed by Lifeboat Solutions, an event management, sales and marketing firm that provides consulting services to companies within the recreational sporting goods industry. Conducted in collaboration with the Outdoor Industry Association, the survey elicited responses from past Outdoor Retailer registrants, attendees and prospect retailers. The results provided important insights into how Outdoor Retailer can continue to provide buyers with the highest return on investment and increase value points for the entire Outdoor Retailer audience.
Key findings are summarized below.
Top 10 Reasons for Attending Outdoor Retailer
1. See new products;
2. Find new suppliers/manufacturers;
3. Establish/build business relationships;
4. Find new product segments;
5. Industry networking;
6. Outdoor community and cultural experience;
7. Plan marketing and co-op strategies;
8. Write and close orders;
9. Attend educational business seminars;
10. Find closeout products.
Product Categories
The top four categories of product carried by respondents were apparel, footwear, camping and backpacking. These categories were followed closely by the running and instruction categories. Popular write-in categories included travel, fishing and hunting.
Retail Buying Habits
Of those participants who did attend Outdoor Retailer Summer Market ‘08:
• 87 percent of retailers found new suppliers;
• 76 percent wrote orders on site at the show;
• 34 percent wrote orders on site with five or more exhibitors;
• 52 percent wrote orders on site of $10,000 or more;
• 82 percent of those that placed orders, wrote for the same amount or greater than 2007.
Other Key Findings:
• 91 percent of attending respondents indicated they were very satisfied or satisfied with their show experience;
• Late July through mid-August predominant ranked as the best time window for holding Summer Market by all respondents;
• Nearly 28 percent of attending buyers went to Open Air Demo 2008;
• 80 percent of those who attended Outdoor Retailer Summer Market ‘08, plan to attend Summer Market ‘09;
• 41 percent of those who did not attend Summer Market ‘08, plan to attend Summer Market ‘09.
More than 1,500 retailers participated in the survey and 85 percent listed owner, buyer or manager as their primary job title. Other noteworthy participants included co-owners, partners, assistant managers, VP of operations and multiple merchandising titles. Sixty-three percent of the survey respondents had attended Outdoor Retailer Summer Market ’08 while 37 percent did not attend.
For more information about the Outdoor Retailer 2009 Retailer Survey, please contact Lance Camisasca of Lifeboat Solutions at lance[.]lifeboatsolutions.com.
About Outdoor Retailer (OR)
Outdoor Retailer (outdoorretailer.com), produced by Nielsen Business Media of San Juan Capistrano, Calif., is a full service trade show company that creates, markets and produces high-quality expos and educational conferences. OR is the leading outdoor industry business-to-business event management company, bringing together manufacturers, retailers, industry advocates and media to conduct the business of outdoor recreation. Now celebrating more than 25 years of successful events, Outdoor Retailer gathers approximately 40,000 attendees on a semi-annual basis for its Winter and Summer Market shows.
The next opportunity to preview the future of the outdoor industry will start at the Open Air Demo Pineview Reservoir (near Odgen, Utah) on July 20, 2009, followed by the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market at the Salt Palace Convention Center from July 21-24, 2009 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Media Contact: Maura Lansford, SOAR Communications, T: 801-523-3730, E: mlansford[.]soarcomm.com.
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