Big changes?

[Karly14 21]

I just got a phone call that gave a little more background. This has the potential to be very interesting on a number of levels.

im pumped for this, it will give us a whole new brand to try, and talk about here. lets face it the "whats better the vapor xxx or the synergy 1300 skate" topic is getting pretty redundant. A new brand like this is exactly what retailers need. I hope they are more innovative and invetive then reeebok

Oh yeah adding another skate to ask if it's better will improve things. There are already plenty of brands, I don't see any retailers looking forward to greater market segmentation. In fact, most retailers would be happy with fewer brands/products to stock. Reebok has also come into hockey the right way, adding a new stick line with foam core blades and putting their name on the new Jofa protective.

reeebok coming into the market really made no innovations to the hockey equipment already available, they basically just put their name on a bunch of other stuff i could have bought a year ago. The hockey equipment market is less exciting to me. a couple years ago when all the new one pieces and super light skates just coming out on the market were better times. What i'm saying, is hopefully warrior will offer something new, instead of slightly altering an existing piece of equipment

[Chadd 916]

The Synergy SL is a 2005 product as is the Endure, Max Stickum and Hex1, but that's obviously not anything new or interesting in sticks. The RBK skates, L7, Synergy1300c and Kor are just crap too evidently.

As for the RBK product, none of it was available last year. Unless of course you live in Europe and got the pants.

If the hockey market is less exciting or interesting to you, it's because you aren't as interested in it.

[Karly14 21]

im not saying they are 'crap' by any means, all im saying is something new (warrior) is going to be refreshing for me. AS far as the year ago thing, i am saying that i coudlve bought vectorslast year, which are very similiar to reebok line which just came out

[Chadd 916]

im not saying they are 'crap' by any means, all im saying is something new (warrior) is going to be refreshing for me. AS far as the year ago thing, i am saying that i coudlve bought vectorslast year, which are very similiar to reebok line which just came out

RBK has an improved footbed and EPP on the sides. The footbed is a minor difference, the EPP is a big change.

[Eazy_b97 1]

I think what Nick is tip-toeing around here is that he just doesn't find their stuff appealing. I was excited for RBK to come into play, but I am not interested in anything, but their protective. Seeing how I tend to stay away from CCM skates, sticks and gloves, when those are the 3 major "big ticket" items IMO, I feel a little let down thinking I may be in RBK skates or gloves holding one of their OPS. Although I like the way they've handled themselves from a buisness perspective, and their equipment appears to be decent, I feel a little disappointed that I am not interested in anything they are currently offering. I can't think of another brand off the top of my head, that doesn't really interest me the way CCM does. At least thats what I THINK he is trying to say, but at the same time, its not RBKs fault at all.

[Karly14 21]

thanks eazy, you cleared up what i couldnt spit out

[Chadd 916]

And that's what you get for having unrealistic expectations. You're not going to like everything from every company. If you do, then you don't have any opinion of your own. If RBK had come out and changed things drastically, they would have been hammered for not staying with proven designs.

Much like Eazy, I'm not a fan of the sticks and the skates don't work for me. The protective is quite nice as is the helmet but the gloves aren't my bag. You find what you like and move on.

Of the stuff they produce I would consider the pants and the helmet, but I can see reasons why people would wear the other stuff.

[Shorthanded67 0]

There are already plenty of brands, I don't see any retailers looking forward to greater market segmentation. In fact, most retailers would be happy with fewer brands/products to stock.

Unfortunately another byproduct of this is that it causes many customers to lean towards the online shops instead of the LHS.

The average LHS just doesn't have the shelf space to carry all these SKUs. Already I hear my LHS employees b*tching about all the new OPS (and the demand for the *new* product). They are literally having to stack them on the floor now since the stick racks have overflowed. Example: Plenty of old Synergys priced to sell quickly (silver, yellow Grip, Si-Cores) and now the STs, SLs, and Stealths.

And that's just sticks. The shelf/wall space for protective, skates, etc...is even less flexible.

Personally this is the only negative factor I see. Other than that, I think it's fantastic that us hockey players have so many choices, price points, etc.. to choose from now versus a decade ago. But is it worth it at the expense of your LHS (assuming it's a good one with personable service)?

[Jim A 4]

I know I've rambled on regarding this stuff before but LHS's can't be everything to everyone..you need to find your market and work with it...and buy correctly...

even at a retail location like HG, they get people in because of some prices sure..but mostly they've figured out what the socal marketplace wants and they buy correctly..although they learned a harsh lesson early..

[whbd18 0]

The average LHS just doesn't have the shelf space to carry all these SKUs. Already I hear my LHS employees b*tching about all the new OPS (and the demand for the *new* product). They are literally having to stack them on the floor now since the stick racks have overflowed. Example: Plenty of old Synergys priced to sell quickly (silver, yellow Grip, Si-Cores) and now the STs, SLs, and Stealths.

yeah my lhs is really small but to get the new easton sticks they had to order alot and evrywhere you go thare are stealths and sls .I mean they have enough room to stock about 80 sticks at a time but they literally have almost 150 stealths

[kosydar 0]

If I lived in a big hockey market like Toronto or Montreal, I'd open a shop that only stocked sticks, laces, tape, and had a sharpener in the back. It seems to me, someone outside of the hockey industry, that those are the things that really sell.

[Chadd 916]

If I lived in a big hockey market like Toronto or Montreal, I'd open a shop that only stocked sticks, laces, tape, and had a sharpener in the back. It seems to me, someone outside of the hockey industry, that those are the things that really sell.

Make sure you get the right sticks or you're screwed. Then you have to deal wth the fact you won't be doing enough volume to get a good discount, so you have to either have a higher price or make much less per stick to be competitive.

[kosydar 0]

You obviously know more about running a shop than me, but I've always wondered how shops can stock so much equipment and make a profit on it. Maybe its just the shops I've been to, but the gear takes up more room than anything else, plus it seems like it sits in the shop for a long time before it ever sells. For the most part, people won't be buying shin pads, shoulder pads, and pants very often, maybe once every 3 or 4 years. With sticks, it seems like people replace those fairly oftern, plus a lot of people buy new ones even when they don't need to. I guess I'd just imagine that its next to impossible for smaller shops to survive more than a couple of years.

[Chadd 916]

You obviously know more about running a shop than me, but I've always wondered how shops can stock so much equipment and make a profit on it. Maybe its just the shops I've been to, but the gear takes up more room than anything else, plus it seems like it sits in the shop for a long time before it ever sells. For the most part, people won't be buying shin pads, shoulder pads, and pants very often, maybe once every 3 or 4 years. With sticks, it seems like people replace those fairly oftern, plus a lot of people buy new ones even when they don't need to. I guess I'd just imagine that its next to impossible for smaller shops to survive more than a couple of years.

The key is younger kids. They grow out of stuff every 18 months.

[joshy207 15]

Like Chadd says, kids growing out of equipment is a huge part of a LHS' equipment sales. There are very few full-grown (adult) players who regularly replace their equipment. I've skated with some guys whose shin pads and pants are as old as I am, but they won't give up their old gear.

Buying habits also come into play here. Part of it is luck, choosing the popular brands/models, but part is also finding products at a good price (cost) that you can actually sell and make money on. Not over-buying on the big and small sizes is a plus.

I've thought alot about the sharpening, sticks-and-tape type of shop too, there are a handful of them here in Detroit that have had success. To me, unless you're a big player or unless you open up a shop in a new market, it doesn't make sense to carry all the latest equipment, or even all the new OPS'. If it were my little shop, I'd offer sharpening, profiling, and all the service possible on skates; laces, tape, and all other accessories; hockey-related apparel (branded tees and hats, track suits, etc.); equipment sanitizing (SaniSport or Esporta); glove repalming and equipment customization; and one or two stick lines, maybe something like Black Beauty and Christian... something unique that has a story to tell and something that offers customs. I'd also look at carrying some more major stick brands if I could get an account or find a distributor. No pants, no gloves, no shins, shoulders, or elbows, probably no bags... keep it simple!

[Karly14 21]

And that's what you get for having unrealistic expectations. You're not going to like everything from every company. If you do, then you don't have any opinion of your own. If RBK had come out and changed things drastically, they would have been hammered for not staying with proven designs.

Much like Eazy, I'm not a fan of the sticks and the skates don't work for me. The protective is quite nice as is the helmet but the gloves aren't my bag. You find what you like and move on.

Of the stuff they produce I would consider the pants and the helmet, but I can see reasons why people would wear the other stuff.

All I am saying is that I am looking forward to seeing something completely new and different (thus, more innovative)- i.e warrior skates. I'm not bashing any other company.

Just the idea of a new company started in interesting thread, can wait to discuss the products with you guys when they are on the market

[agb506 0]

You've got some big names jumping ship to them...

who are the big names jumping to warrior?

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

I already listed their titles. If you don't know who they are by their title, then it's pretty irrelevant to know their name.

[agb506 0]

o sorry, i thought you ment you knew a list of players that where being recruited.

[Chadd 916]

o sorry, i thought you ment you knew a list of players that where being recruited.

I heard that they are going to target players in specific markets and they will have pro players in the gear when they open for business.

[jimmy 194]

im not saying they are 'crap' by any means, all im saying is something new (warrior) is going to be refreshing for me.  AS far as the year ago thing, i am saying that i coudlve bought vectorslast year, which are very similiar to reebok line which just came out

RBK has an improved footbed and EPP on the sides. The footbed is a minor difference, the EPP is a big change.

Agree, sold a pair yesterday to a defenseman who picked the RBK over the CCM's soley because of the EPP.

[jimmy 194]

Like Chadd says, kids growing out of equipment is a huge part of a LHS' equipment sales. There are very few full-grown (adult) players who regularly replace their equipment. I've skated with some guys whose shin pads and pants are as old as I am, but they won't give up their old gear.

Buying habits also come into play here. Part of it is luck, choosing the popular brands/models, but part is also finding products at a good price (cost) that you can actually sell and make money on. Not over-buying on the big and small sizes is a plus.

I've thought alot about the sharpening, sticks-and-tape type of shop too, there are a handful of them here in Detroit that have had success. To me, unless you're a big player or unless you open up a shop in a new market, it doesn't make sense to carry all the latest equipment, or even all the new OPS'. If it were my little shop, I'd offer sharpening, profiling, and all the service possible on skates; laces, tape, and all other accessories; hockey-related apparel (branded tees and hats, track suits, etc.); equipment sanitizing (SaniSport or Esporta); glove repalming and equipment customization; and one or two stick lines, maybe something like Black Beauty and Christian... something unique that has a story to tell and something that offers customs. I'd also look at carrying some more major stick brands if I could get an account or find a distributor. No pants, no gloves, no shins, shoulders, or elbows, probably no bags... keep it simple!

The problem with just sharpening, sticks, and tape in your store is that a lot of folks won't come. They like to see a full store even if they don't plan to buy a helmet or shin, they like to windowshop. It's the same as grocery shopping, most would rather go to the big supermarket with great selection and full shelves, than a "Russian" style market. It's just part of doing business. A Nitch store can work in some cases, but it's rare.

[#28tz 0]

Great to hear about his as my team are called the warriors so it would be great to have my team name on my gear :) :) :)

[Chadd 916]

im not saying they are 'crap' by any means, all im saying is something new (warrior) is going to be refreshing for me.  AS far as the year ago thing, i am saying that i coudlve bought vectorslast year, which are very similiar to reebok line which just came out

RBK has an improved footbed and EPP on the sides. The footbed is a minor difference, the EPP is a big change.

Agree, sold a pair yesterday to a defenseman who picked the RBK over the CCM's soley because of the EPP.

Over Vectors? The Tacks also have EPP on the sides.

[echi24 1]

kosy your idea is more like opening a small pro shop-esque store but outside of an arena. pro-shop sales are greatly fueled by the convenience of their location (im sure the rent is higher too) and the urgency of their customer. making one of these stores without the arena environment would make it difficult to compete with the large chain stores.