In the midst of the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro the SBIA hosted the first Soft-goods Roundtable for 2017. Alongside  Australian brand manager and retailers attendees included International visitors in Eric Mehlberg from Vissla,  Mike Matey & Aaron Cole from Reef international.

Two key topics were sent out in the agenda which were met with great discussion. The first being an SBIA follow up on how brands are progressing with the move away from Printed Catalogues to a suitable B2B or digital platform. Accepting that this will be a different journey for some Retailers and Reps, we agreed that a Target of Autumn 2020 (August 2019), no paper catalogues will be printed across the industry.

The session captured retailer feedback on current experiences with B2B ordering & catalogues. In canvassing the brand representatives in the room we are pleased to pass on that the adoption this is well on track to meet the timeline and deliver some great outcomes for our industry.

The second topic was The Big Shift – which around the premise of “Right Product at the Right Time”

The areas covered were:

–        Review of Go to Market timing to be able to achieve critical delivery dates

–        Alignment of Seasons and Product

–        Quick to market categories where we can amplify a trend in style or colour

–        Expectations of both parties in being able to react quicker to trends and opportunism.

With great discussions and outcomes from first roundtable of 2017, make sure you save the date for our next roundtable that will be held before the Surf Industry Banquet and Awards on Thursday 25th of May at the Crowne Plaza at Coogee, Sydney.