Industry Insight

News and advice from the sponsors of Shop-eat-surf.com

ChopShop Offers Expanded Services

We’ve expanded on-site capabilities with our recent move from Irvine to Newport Beach.

Just on the other side of the freeway from where we were, the new space gave us the ability to add an insert stage, voice-over booth, enhanced audio sweetening plus a full complement of upgraded editing software and hardware, together with cameras, lighting, grip and production equipment.

Our specialty is creating video content for a variety of applications and platforms that communicate to the action sports and youth markets, and our goal is to continue to provide turnkey creative and production solutions for our clients.

With the new additions to our production and editing arsenal, we can better service a broad range of clients and respond to project requirements.

We’re proud to have a respected client roster that includes PacSun, Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile, many of the apparel brands and advertising agencies’ Team One, Blue C and O’Leary & Partners’ clients’ Kawasaki and Fantastic Sam’s.

We also provide finishing for a range of projects airing on FUEL TV and production support for independent producers and production companies.

The ability to offer our clients more creative options is essential to us and the new space gives us the opportunity to seamlessly meet our clients’ project requirements.

About ChopShop

ChopShop is a team of professionals whose expertise includes concepting, copywriting, video and film production, as well as editorial, finishing, design and animation for broadcast and multi-platform applications.

Ken Anderson is ChopShop's co-founder and principal partner.

Continued Growth in Apparel Exports

Despite increased cotton prices, complaints of labor shortages and mounting pressure to devalue its currency, China's apparel exports to the United States rose to $32.6 billion for the period of April 2009 through March 2010.

This represents a 4.87% increase over the same period from 2008 to 2009.

Year-to-date exports through March 2010 saw a 13.77% increase compared to the same period last year.

Increased Market Share

Over the past seven years, China has more than doubled its share of apparel exports to the United States. In 2004, its market share stood at 15.85%. Through March 2010, its slice of exports was more than 38%.

Competition Not Even Close

China is so far ahead of the pack, that the combined exports of the next six largest exporting countries are $100,000 million less than China's total.

No Choice but to Grow

Despite the global recession and the overall decrease of imported apparel -- by 9.52% through the year ending March 2010 from all countries -- China will feel additional pressure to increase its textile and apparel production capacities to meet U.S. and global demands as the recession gradually abates.

It will have no choice.

Countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Cambodia -- which are already filled to the brim -- may share some of the burden. But they simply do not have adequate capacity to relieve China of its role in supporting increased demand.

Data source: Otexa

Kumar Kundanmal is a 20-year sourcing and production veteran who began his career in family owned apparel plants in Sri Lanka.

He has lived in Hong Kong, China and Bangladesh, during the course of which he developed expert knowledge of fabric, trim and apparel sourcing. Kumar moved to the United States in 1997 and has held strategic sourcing positions at VF Corp and Kellwood Company.

ASR Marketplace 2010 is shaping up to be an action packed three days of business-to-business opportunities.

Our upcoming show will stage earlier in the buying season this August 13-15 and will once consist of four dynamic events; ASR, CLASS@ASR Crossroads and Sacred Craft in one San Diego experience.

ASR, the flagship event for ASR Marketplace’s three days in San Diego, will include an expanded show floor filled with a list of brands that are among the best in action sports.

Spanning over four show halls ASR will feature several new show areas and events including the return of the Foundation Lounge and the introduction of La Plage.

Dedicated to swim culture, La Plage will include upscale booth and lounge environments and be co-located with our Runway Stage giving swim brands a chance to be part of an authentic swim experience as chic as the girl from Ipanema.

CLASS@ASR will return to the main floor to be located adjacent to the ASR halls, with entrances from ASR to CLASS@ASR.

We have seen an influx of new brands interest in this unique tradeshow experience and have heard straight from leading retailers that the mix of brands has been a great addition to their time spent shopping ASR.

Amy Gunther of KCDC has been in attendance for years at ASR and has this to say about her CLASS@ASR experience, “Great vibe and great brands! It was easy to focus, keep on task and still have fun! CLASS@ASR continues to exceed my expectations.”

Crossroads is also back August 13 & 14, and will stage in the Petco Park Parking lot - just a quick walk or rickshaw ride away from ASR.

Crossroads is committed to staying true to the independent nature of skateboarding culture and to maintaining a unique relaxed, open format of previous shows, while benefiting from ASR’s global reach of retail buyers.

“Crossroads has been amazing for us. To see it expand the way it has for this first year coming down here and teaming with ASR has been a welcome surprise. Having the ramps and having it outside and having it facilitated where it just brings back that skate environment is refreshing.” Adam Quick, Director of Sales, DC Shoes

Sacred Craft joins us bayside for the first time this August. In the begining... it was all about the surfboard. The only thing that mattered. Sacred Craft Surfboard Expo puts the surfboard-and the modern-day kahunas who craft them-back at the forefront of surf culture. This August, Sacred Craft will stage adjacent to ASR Marketplace offering retailers a convenient platform to shop surf hard goods.

 

When an entrepreneur opens a retail shop, the startup is usually something like a one-man (or woman) band.

There are lots of hats to be worn and usually not enough revenue to hire enough employees to wear them.

But once a retail concept takes off and business is good, any wise retailer will realize that delegating is the only way to survive and thrive.

And not only does that apply to the human resources needed to run a retail store, but the management systems needed to keep the wheels turning. Inventory management, point of sale systems, merchandising, loyalty, cross channel sales – the retailer needs a structure that will grow with the increasing and changing demands of the business.

UTC RETAIL has proven ability in successfully implementing integrated software, hardware, and service solutions for retailers on the move.

Our software is easily scalable and customizable to suit any specialty retail environment. Our strength lies in understanding a retailer’s needs and challenges, and designing a solution that will satisfy now and into the future. If you’d like more information on how UTC RETAIL can help you address your changing business needs, contact us.

Victoria Rose has more than 20 years of experience in the specialty retail and supply chain enterprise software markets.

Her experience in retail software solutions includes POS, Merchandising, Logistics, Apparel and Manufacturing.

 

 

Every dream starts with a passion to make a change.

The single change, in the life of one, creates a ripple effect to the lives of many.

In February 2010, what started as a demo of Full Circle ® between Innovative Systems ® and Barco Uniforms ® ended not only in the purchase of Full Circle ®, but a joint partnership in helping children and nurses around the world.

To learn more about the Nightingale Foundation® please click on: http://barcosnightingales.org/

The inspiring stories of companies in the apparel, swim, accessory, and footwear industry to be of service in lending a helping hand, to the earth, fellow people, or animals, is a theme that many of our clients have felt the need to answer the call to action.

It is up to all of us to make a difference in the world now and for the future generations to come.

Below are some additional links to wonderful programs that make our hearts grateful and honored to be in a business partnership with our clients. In living out your dream to answer the call of service the ripple effect will continue into an ocean.

Aftco Manufacturing – Dedicated to the preservation of our marine resources - http://www.aftco.com/conserve.htm

Hurley – Helping children everywhere - http://www.livingthedreamfoundation.org/

Lucky Brand – Helping children everywhere - http://www.luckybrand.com/Lucky-Foundation/luckyFoundation,default,pg.html

Obey –Multiple organizations - http://obeyclothing.com/#/awareness/

Olukai – Give Back - http://www.olukai.com/Ohana.aspx

prAna – Multiple organizations - http://www.prana.com/blog/?page_id=1338

Raj Manufacturing – Girls Inc - http://www.girlsinc-oc.org/Default.aspx

Rock and Republic – Rock the Cure: http://www.rockthecurefoundation.com

Volcom – Let the kids ride free - http://www.volcom.com/ltkrf/index.asp

With your help also, Volcom collected over 5000 pairs of jeans in North America that are going to local homeless shelters. Click on the video below. For more info about GJAC, check: http://www.volcom.com/news/article.asp?articleID=4355

VF Corporation – Multiple organizations - http://www.vfc.com/corporate-responsibility/vf-in-the-community/in-our-communities

Westlife Distribution (686) – Youth outreach - http://686.com/whats-your-gig/112/sos-outreach

For more information about Innovative Systems® and Full Circle®, visit our website, www.isllc.com.

Amy Rasmussen is director of sales and training for Innovative Systems LLC. Amy and her team of specialists are responsible for sales leads, demos, implementation, maintenance, and support of Full Circle ® for Innovative Systems LLC.

Soon after George Karamitos decided to open a surf and skateboard store in Daytona Beach, Florida in 1989, he realized that he was getting into a much more sophisticated retail climate than his family’s previous Tshirt shop.

Now Maui Nix needed to make quarterly purchases, conduct inventory projections, and anticipate demand. They tried to keep track of the business manually as they had in the past with the resort shop, but this soon proved to be too big of a challenge.

George’s retail consultant advised him to get a good automated store enterprise system to manage and analyze the activity in the new shop.

With it, he could project sales; purchase inventory accurately by using the open-to-buy tool; and manage all the distinct categories of product Maui Nix carried, including apparel, skateboards, surf boards and sandals. Maui Nix began buying quarterly and projected the business out as accurately as possible to avoid shortfalls or excess inventory.

Then as Maui Nix initiated their growth plans, that early retail solution became less and less responsive to their needs.

After comprehensive research and evaluation, Maui Nix found UTC RETAIL’s Merchant application contained the depth and breadth of functionality missing from their previous solution with the added advantage of a no fee Gift Card application.

UTC RETAIL’s Merchant software helped Maui Nix gain tighter control over inventory and keep a closer view on revenue to help maintain profitability. Now they easily maintain their margins; reduce inventory stock to sales; and have increased inventory turns from 1.8 to 3.0 per cycle.

Maui Nix manages inventories in all shops by categorizing each product as if it was a separate store. The shops have 36 classes of business categories, such as men’s and women’s sportswear, Tshirts, accessories, hard goods, and footwear.

Keeping track of the categories has enabled Maui Nix to analyze what is selling throughout their enterprise, and plan according to the current fashion and buying trends they see from their customers’ purchases.

Maui Nix is a true success story, demonstrating the move from a traditional resort shop - using manual tracking and analysis - to a fully automated merchandising application in a fleet of eight successful surf and skateboard shops across Florida and North Carolina.

Maui Nix continues to grow, and in their words they are “dedicated to bringing our customers both the cutting-edge and classics in fashion, boards, and accessories. We are proud to feature well over 100 different surf and skate brands that lead the trends in our industry.”

If you are considering a technology upgrade call on the retail experts at UTC RETAIL who will meet with you to understand your business challenges and help develop a path forward to keep you in the game. Call 1-800-349-0546 and ask to speak to one of our retail specialists.

This article is excerpted from our Maui Nix case study. Click on the link to get the full report.

Kurt Ramcharan is the Director of Marketing and Business Development at UTC RETAIL. Kurt has spent over 5 years in the retail technology field with a background in business development, market research, and strategy development.

 

The Newport Beach Film Festival Action Sports series, which is co-produced by ChopShop, has released its lineup for the 2010 festival. It includes 5 world premieres among the 25 films.

Films will screen at Edwards Island Cinema, located at 999 Newport Center Drive in Fashion Island in Newport Beach, at the Regency Lido Theater at 3459 Via Lido Drive, at the Regency South Coast Theater at 1561 W. Sunflower Avenue in Santa Ana and at The Studio at Sage Hill at 20402 Newport Coast Drive in Newport Coast.

This year the festival is also introducing the nbffACTION Pass, which offers filmgoers admission to all 25 film screenings in the 2010 Action Sports Film Series. The nbffACTION Pass can be purchased for $75 and is available online at the Festival’s web site or by emailing Meghan McGarvey at Meghan.McGarvey@NewportBeachFilmFest.com

For tickets, passes, the complete Festival schedule, full synopses, trailers and additional information, visit www.NewportBeachFilmFest.com or www.nbffACTION.com 

2010 Newport Beach Film Festival Action Sports Film Series Film Listing

ACCIDENTIAL ICON: THE REAL GIDGET STORY (2010, Documentary, USA, 60 minutes) Director / Screenwriter: Brian L. Gillogly Cast: Sally Field, Cliff Robertson, James Darren, Gregory Harrison, Layne Beachly, Jorja Fox Documentarians explore the largely untold story of Kathy Kohner Zuckerman, the real ‘Gidget,’ and how her account of surfing Malibu in the mid-1950s became a national cultural phenomenon.

BLACK WINTER (2009, Documentary, USA, 45 minutes) Director: Travis Robb, Mike Hatchett Cast: Torstein Horgmo, Eric Jackson, Halldor Helgason, Jason Dubois, Xavier De Le Rue, Seb Toots, Chas Guldemond, Andreas Wiig, Mark Landvik, Lonnie Kauk, Leanne Pelosi, Ben Lynch, Andrew Geeves, Dave Short An investigation into the nature of snowboarding and the insatiable hunger of the riders to put down history-making segments on film, set in the winter of 2009, a time of unprecedented conditions.

BOARDHEADS (2009, Documentary, USA, 86 minutes) Director: Davo Weiss Cast: Robby Naish, Shaun Tomson, Izzy Paskowitz, Sunny Garcia, Greg Noll, Alex Morales, Bethany Hamilton, Darrin Quinn, Mark "1/2 Price" Lee, Kai Lenny, Kevin Langeree, Christophe Baloes, Andy Brandt, Nat Lincoln, and countless typical BoardRiders around the world. This freewheeling documentary looks at the people who live with a board beneath their feet. Surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding, sailboarding, kitesurfing – changes lives, empowers minds, builds healthy bodies, and frees the spirit.

CAMP CHUCK (2009, Documentary, USA, 46 minutes) World Premiere Director: Marc Salomon Cast: Chuck Carothers, Derek Cook, Jack Rowe, Gabriel Villegas, Javier Villegas, Alex Cervantes Freestyle motocross X-Games champion quests to create a compound for the sport’s up-and-coming to practice and compete against their own expectations of progression.

CANCER TO CAPRICORN: PATH OF THE MODERN GYPSY (2010, Documentary, USA, 46 min.) World Premiere Director: Russell Brownley Cast: Mick Fanning, Rob Machado, Tonino Benson, Ben Bourgeois, Mike Losness Follow the Reef team of professional surfers on surfing journeys within the Earth’s tropical, latitudinal lines of the Tropic of Cancer & the Tropic of Capricorn. By analyzing behavior of tropical storm systems within that region, it is possible to pin point the best time to send athletes in and score surfing perfection.

CYPHER VISION (2010, USA, 14 minutes) Director: Jamie Tierney Cast: Dane Reynolds, Julian Wilson, Jeremy Flores, Kelly Slater Shot with a revolutionary camera that has never been used to capture surfing from the water. Witness every drop of spray, board flex and body contortion as they draw unique lines on every wave. It’s performance surfing as you’ve never seen it before.

A DAY AT THE PARK SKATEBOARDING FILM (2010, Documentary, USA, 23 minutes) Director: Scott Yamamura A film capturing the most memorable and innovative skateboard feats made over a sixyear span in the Seattle area, from the perspective of the most creative and cutting-edge area skate parks.

THE EDGE OF TELLURIDE (2009, Documentary, USA, 47 minutes) West Coast Premiere Director: James Kleinert Cast: Josh Getter, Kim Havell, Scott Kennett, Jason Troth, Galena Gleason, Travis Wolfe, Braden Brassy, Michael Gardener, Rick Willis Ski mountaineers overcome the challenges faced while undertaking the dangerously big mountains.

FIBERGLASS AND MEGAPIXELS (2009, Documentary, USA, 47 minutes) Director: Craig Hoffmann, Derek Hoffmann Cast: Mick Fanning, Fred Patacchia Jr., Brian Bielmann, Scott Aichner, Daren Crawford, Sonny Miller, Larry Haynes, Jordy Smith, Ian Walsh, Mark Healey A behind-the-scenes look at the photographers, cinematographers, and surfers who challenge themselves in the world’s heaviest surf to capture the ultimate shot that otherwise would be lost forever.

FREEDOM RIDERS (2009, Documentary, USA, 45 minutes) Director: Chris Kitchen Cast: Linda Merglaino, Adrain Knapp, Noah Mc Cormic, Scott Fitzgerald, Dave Holtun, Clay Curly, Anne Marie Curly, Robert Floyd "Floyd," Chad Ovens, Jed Cullivan, Ted Finkenhour, Kevin Kavanagh, A small group of riders evolve from covertly building rough and unsustainable trails, to creating a precedent setting relationship with the Forest Service and building some of the best trails in the country.

JESSE’S STORY (2009, Documentary, USA, 73 minutes) Director: Mark S. Jacobs Cast: Jesse Billauer, George Billauer, Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, Christopher Reeve, Bob Hurley, Josh Billauer, Engilina Billauer, Cecile Billauer A gifted young athlete suffers a devastating surfing accident, supposedly confining him to a wheelchair for life, only to become one of the most recognized professional surfers in the world.

LAST PARADISE (2009, Documentary, Documentary, USA, 103 minutes) Director: Clive Neeson Cast: A. J. Hackett The risk, challenges and adventures of a maverick bunch who explored hidden paradises of the planet that few ever saw, just before most disappeared, forever.

LIVING IT FOREVER (2010, Documentary, USA, 77 minutes) World Premiere Director: Ann Chatillon Producer / Editor: Rick Chatillon Cast: Ilima Kalama, David Nuuhiwa, John Peck, Ed Hardy, Mike Marshall, Herb Torrens The mid-1950s &1960s was an epic era of surf culture in Newport Beach, California. Featuring an original score by Grammy-Award winning composer Phillip Marshall, the film chronicles the carefree days of those early surfers who lived the dream as a reality – with archival footage and modern day interviews.

LOST PROPHETS- SEARCH FOR THE COLLECTIVE (2009, Documentary, USA, 52 minutes) Director: Nathan Apffel A look at the history, prophecy and future of the surf culture, as individuals immersed in the rebirth of the grassroots spirit that will help guide the sport in a new, revitalizing direction.

MACHOTAILDROP (2009, Comedy, Canada / USA, 91 minutes) West Coast Premiere Director: Corey Adams, Alex Craig Cast: Anthony Amedori, James Faulkner, Rick Mccrank, John J. Mackie, Steve Olson, Vanessa Guide, Lukács Bicskey, Jeff Halliday, John Rattray, Kata Sárkány, Zsolt Pál, Fred Mortagne Teenage lay-about Walter Rhum, wants nothing more than to become a skateboarding star, by submitting a video of his tricks to a conglomerate, and waits to be plucked from his banal life.

MAKE IT COUNT: THE ELEMENT STORY (2009, Documentary, USA, 98 minutes) World Premiere Director: Johnny Schillereff, Kirk Dianda Cast: Johnny Schillereff, Kat Von D, Pharrell Williams, Lil John, Bam Margera, Andy Howell, Mike Vallely, Paul Schmitt, Rodney Smith, Nick Hartman, Jeremy Fish, Stevie Williams, Steve Douglas, Donny Barley, Dan Wolfe, Reese Forbes, Chad Muska The story of Element Skateboards company – from its humble beginnings, to becoming a forward thinking global brand.

MOUNT ST. ELIAS (2009, Documentary, USA, Austria, 100 minutes) Director: Gerald Salmina Cast: Jon Johnston, Axel Naglich, Peter Ressmann Three world-class skiers and mountaineers journey to Mount St. Elias in their attempt to realize the longest ski descent of the world.

PARKS BONIFAY DOCUMENTARY (2009, Documentary, USA, 66 minutes) Director: Matt Staker, Keith Kipp, Joshua Mcwilliams Cast: Parks Bonifay, Scott Byerly, Zane Schwenk, Travis Pastrana, Shaun Murray, Betty Bonifay, Shane Bonifay This tale of wakeboarding legend Parks Bonifay, his unconventional youth, unbelievable adulthood, flirtation with disaster, the triumphs of winning and the tribulations of extreme injury.

RED BULL PROJECT X (2010, Documentary, USA, 48 minutes) West Coast Premiere Director: Claude Merkel Cast: Shaun White Deep in Colorado’s back-country, Shaun White prepares for the Olympics in a custom sculpted super-pipe, pushing himself past his own boundaries to redefine the progression of snowboarding.

RIDE THE DIVIDE (2009, Documentary, USA, 82 minutes) West Coast Premiere Director: Hunter Weeks Cast: Matthew Lee, Mary Metcalf-Collier, Mike Dion The world’s toughest mountain bike race traverses over 2700 miles along the Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains, and the three riders’ who attempt to petal from Banff, Canada to the Mexican border.

SHAPED (2009, Documentary, USA, 58 minutes) Director: Walter Georis Cast: Bruce Brown, Dana Brown, Robert August, Robert Weaver, Pat O'Connell, Corky Carroll, Tom Morey A tribute to the men and women of the surf world in the 1960s, who unknowingly created and shaped the future of surfing as the world now knows it through their innovative board designs.

SOMEWHERE NEAR TAPACHULA (2010, Documentary, USA, Australia, 63 min.) North American Premiere Director: Stefan Hunt Cast: Pam & Alan Skuse, Cheyne Cottrell, Brian Noell & 54 kids of Mission Mexico Children's Refugethan an institution. A husband and wife leave their home in Australia to volunteer at a Chiapas orphanage only to find it closed just six months in, and faced with a choice of caring for the remaining children on their own.

TOM’S CREATION PLANTATION (2009, Documentary, USA, 23 minutes) Director: Cyrus Sutton Cast: Tom Wegener A look into the creative world of Tom Wegener, who introduced the ancient alaia style surfboard into modern times- making the perfect wave relative to the surfcraft on which it is ridden.

ULTIMATE WAVE TAHITI – 3D (2009, Documentary, USA, 45 minutes) Director: Stephen Lowe Cast: Kelly Slater, Raimana Van Bastolaer Nine-time world surfing champion Kelly Slater and group of friends travel to Tahiti on a quest to find the perfect wave- riding experience.

THE WESTSIDERS (2009, Documentary, USA, 92 minutes) World Premiere Director: Josh Pomer Cast: Daryl Virostko, Shawn Barron, Jason Collins, Vince Collier An eye-opening mixture of surfing innovation and gritty localism documents the rise and fall of The Westsiders surf gang through the eyes of three best friends from the original "Surf City," Santa Cruz, California. Best friends, Daryl "Flea" Virostko, Shawn "Barney" Barron and Jason "Ratboy" Collins bonded by common tragedy and their love of surfing.

 

Considering an ERP system purchase is a huge undertaking for any company, large or small.

There are meetings with sales reps from the various systems, follow up phone calls, emails, further meetings, and then in some cases a tough decision on how to proceed.

As organizations are heavily reliant on technology, the consequences of a failing implementation can be devastating. Asking the following questions can help alleviate potentials for implementing a failing system.

1. Are you meeting with a salesrep or a representative that will be with you through the entire implementation?

2. Are all modules on one standard platform?

3. What technology is the system built upon?

4. What other clients does the company support in your industry?

5. What track record does the company have in implementing the software?

6. Does the company have a working knowledge of apparel, footwear, and accessory manufacturing?

With Innovative Systems LLC’s product Full Circle ® a company has the comfort in knowing:

1. Full Circle ® sales representatives consist of a team of industry experts that will be with you for the entire ERP implementation.

2. Full Circle ® has one and only one standard platform that runs all modules of Full Circle ® including accounting, ERP, PLM, WMS, and EDI. Innovative Systems LLC has a commitment to software that is integrated for all business aspects.

3. Full Circle’s language of Providex ® is licensed to over 600 of the world’s leading software companies. Full Circle’s Thin Client technology requires minimal hardware requirements for superior performance.

4. Innovative Systems LLC lists all clients on our web site.

5. Full Circle has completed every install that has been started.

6. Innovative Systems has over 16 years of servicing only apparel, footwear, and accessory manufactures.

Innovative Systems values every client. In purchasing Full Circle ® you are creating a business relationship that will bring years of mutually benefiting business to each partner, and have the comfort of knowing a team of industry experts stand with you.

Amy Rasmussen is director of sales and training for Innovative Systems LLC. Amy and her team of specialists are responsible for sales leads, demos, implementation, maintenance, and support of Full Circle ® for Innovative Systems LLC.

ASR Access, CLASS@ASR and Crossroads offer retailers three unique buying environments to meet the needs for efficient and effective shopping of an unparalleled selection of Surf, Skate, Fashion & Lifestyle brands - all in a focused, convenient, and jam packed 2-day event!

ASR Access is the flagship platform for over 400 surf and skate lifestyle brands to preview Fall, Back-to-School and Winter 2010/2011 collections to buyers from around the world. The introduction of the ASR Access Smart Booth format allows for a product focused event, yet with plenty of brand story-telling marketing options.

ASR Access events include a high-energy fashion show, mini ramp, centralized lounges and business seminars, offering places to meet, network, consider buying decisions and gain valuable insight between appointments.

CLASS@ASR returns adjacent to ASR at the San Diego Convention Center. Featuring a curated group of over 100 designers that crossover from the Surf/Skate lifestyle into the prestigious fashion market, CLASS@ASR is an exclusive event with its own vibe, booth design, organic cuisine and ambiance.

Crossroads has teamed up with ASR with the goal of providing better service to retailers through the ultimate skate focused retail show. Staging across from ASR in the Petco Park parking lot, Crossroads is committed to staying true to the independent nature of the skateboarding culture and to maintaining the unique relaxed, open format of previous shows, while benefiting from ASR’s global reach of retail buyers.

 “The Surf/Skate Lifestyle Industry is very complex with distinct categories that make up a global marketplace,” says Andy Tompkins, VP of ASR. “By partnering with CLASS@ASR and Crossroads, retailers are able to see these categories in different show environments which will provide an authentic look at the products and trends driving each segment.”

 We welcome you to the premier of ASR Access, our 2nd CLASS@ASR and Crossroads to celebrate the sports and lifestyles that fuel the industry. ? ?For more information on ASR Access, CLASS@ASR & Crossroads (Feb 3 - 4, 2010) and ASR Marketplace (Aug 14 - 16, 2010), please visit www.asrbiz.com.

The overarching ASR mission is to broker business relationships; bringing retailers and brands together to foster and progress the industry.

The key objective for brands exhibiting at ASR is to access buyers & distributors that they will not find at any other event.

To support this, ASR has deeply invested in its national & international Retailer Program to ensure the attendance of top buyers, bringing billions of dollars in buying power to the show. Brands connect with the right buyers, at the right time, in the right venue.

CLASS@ASR runs in tandem with ASR and initiates the industry to a new breed of buyers; it is a unique group of 100+ core and emerging designer labels crossing over from action sports into the fashion market.

Efficient all-inclusive booth options, exclusive to CLASS@ASR and available at ASR, allow brands to focus on displaying and selling products effectively. This booth solution takes thousands of dollars off the total cost of exhibiting.

The end result is a win-win event for buyers & exhibitors - and the progression of the industry!

The Next Chapter in Financing: Factoring

While CIT’s bankruptcy was not altogether unexpected, banks and other firms will not be able to completely fill the gap. In fact, small business lending by major banks has been on a steep decline in 2009 (according to FDIC Data).

For many in the action sports industry, 2008 and YTD 2009 have been difficult, and financial results have not been strong. As a result, traditional bank financing seems further and further away from materializing.

Accounts receivable financing (factoring) remains a terrific option for companies in the action sports industry. In addition to providing working capital financing, factors offer a host of back office solutions that streamline, protect and support trade activities.

The most sophisticated firms will offer timely credit assessments, interactive software, 24/7 visibility to invoice verification and collections, working capital availability and real time dynamic reporting. These factoring services deliver real value and should enable a reduction in FTE.

Read the Fine Print: 12 Tips to Know Before You Buy

Every company is promised adequate working capital and exceptional service quality by potential factoring partners. Unfortunately, when it comes to your liquidity and access to your customers, unfulfilled promises can be devastating. It is important to investigate factoring firms and analyze their ability to meet your company’s immediate and future needs. Here are some key criteria to consider when evaluating factoring firms:

1. Investment in infrastructure and delivery of these services is expensive and varies widely amongst the remaining factoring firms in the industry, so check references and demand demonstrations of the services before you buy.
2. Be sure to investigate the capital structure of each financing organization before signing a contract. Most derive their capital from banks, and many are actually funded by CIT. Make sure your prospective funding partner has the financial wherewithal to support your needs. The last thing you want is to step out of the frying pan into the fire.
3. Watch out for protracted evaluation time-lines. Often if the duration between proposal and closing is extended, your financing source may be having challenges meeting your funding needs.
4. Be wary of the fine print or of proposals that do not include sufficient information to make you comfortable with the structure and your ability to assess its impact on your business. Small changes in rate and services at the finish line can get expensive.
5. If you are using a financial broker to locate financing, be careful and require client references. Brokers are paid by the financing source and will often refer you to the firm that pays the highest fee. Rest assured, the finance source will find a way to recoup the fee.
6. Contracts can be long and confusing, so take time to review and fully understand the terms. If it is not written in the contract, it does not exist, and if it is written in the contract, it is there for a reason.
7. Watch for early termination penalties that require that you remain with your financing partner no matter the quality of their service, or monthly minimums which require that you achieve a minimum volume or pay a fee, whether or not you are experiencing balance sheet difficulties.
8. Be careful to understand the annual renewal cycle of your agreements. Often there is a short window within which you must notify the financing partner of your desire to terminate. The consequence of missing that window may be another year in an unhappy relationship.
9. Hidden fees are common amongst the less scrupulous firms in the industry. Avoid these fees by thoroughly analyzing your contract and preparing an apples to apples comparison of available options.
10. Make sure you understand audit expenses as the frequency and cost of audits vary widely amongst firms.
11. If you are in a commodity position competing on price alone, tailor your search to the least expensive provider, as service isn’t a priority (and it is expensive).
12. If you are a solution seller, or you pride yourself on service excellence or premium positioning, consider the history of your partner, check references, view their web capability, meet the provider. Remember, you are going to be picking a partner that in addition to providing you with financing will be interacting with your most valuable asset, your customers. Take the time to make sure you are picking a partner that represents the same service standards you expect of your firm.

The Last Word: Your Financial Future

It’s time to write a new chapter in financing. CIT’s bankruptcy has been a long time coming. Don’t panic. Be decisive.

I just recently came back from a vacation that gave me some time to think about how I could write something for my partners at Shop-eat-surf.com that would be interesting to you.

Here are three major topics, with questions, that you should bounce off of your current apparel software/IT systems to see if you may be in need of upgrading your existing IT infrastructure.

In many cases, if the answer is "No" to many of these questions, there could be substantial ROI (Return on Investment) in purchasing a new software/IT system.

1. Software Functionality and Software Support:

Do your employees/team like your current system? Does your system follow your work flow - or do you constantly work around the system due to software constraints? Does the system give you, at a glance, a full pulse on your business? Does your IT system provide the necessary tools for your employees to have complete visibility into your supply chain, to make sound business decisions? Does your current system support all of your software requirements from design to distribution and accounting? When you have a problem or question does your software vender respond in an adequate time with decisive answers? When you do have an issue does your software vendor help you address it with new functionality? Do you get version upgrades on a regular basis to keep up with our ever changing industry?

2. System Integration:

Does your ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system integrate with your Accounting modules? Does your PLM (Product Lifestyle Management) module update to your ERP system seamlessly? Does your system allow easy integration with other vendor products like UPS, Federal Express, B2C, B2B, etc? Have you eliminated the redundant entries done within your systems? Is your distribution automated and validate at the time of picking and auto create ASN's, UCC-128 Labels and invoices? Can you handle multiple currencies and automatic updates for currency fluctuations?

3. EDI (Electronic Data Interchange):

Is your EDI full integrated? When you are approached by a new retailer for EDI setup is it expensive? Does it take long to get your EDI from test into live production? Do you have the ability to do direct connect with retailers and AS2 communications to avoid useless VAN (Value Added Network) charges? Does your EDI cause lots of chargeback's?

If you have answered "No" to some or many of these questions you might want to start looking into new IT technologies. With new systems, you have the tools to re-engineer business processes, reduce wasted effort and strengthen the internal communication within your company.

It allows you to become closer to your customers through the use of superior technologies and comprehensive processes and enables you to respond quicker and more effectively to today's demanding retailers who want to develop closer business ties with a reduced number of key suppliers.

A lot of people have been asking me why and how we're so busy right now, at a time when many others are not.

Well, sometimes even we can't understand why we're so busy. So we sat down and came up with a few things, and thought these would be tips that could help you stay busy, too.

First of all, you have to offer something that helps people.

I've been in this business for 23 years, and I have to tell you that most apparel company owners don't even want to hear the word "computer." But a lot of the old legacy systems in use today were birthed in the ‘70s, and when you look at the ROI for a new system, you begin to understand why they are making changes.

A lot of owners are looking inside their buildings now, asking "How can I lower my costs?"

Well, one way is to automate all those legacy systems, the things that, honest to God, people are still doing manually. Watching your inventory is key right now, and good systems provide good visibility. They end up helping owners make better business decisions.

And the worse it gets out there, that's even more reason to look inside for costs savings.

Second, you have to be focused on your customers.

One thing and I can't say it enough, is that we are all about customer service. We're right now going back to all our customers, and asking, "What can we do to help you?" And one of the things we're finding is that everybody is interested in moving to e-commerce.

So we're looking at e-commerce solutions for some of them, even though it's not something we've done much of before.

The third thing, you have to listen and be flexible.

I can't tell you how many times we've been dragged into something, thinking it was against our better judgment, and it's turned out to be huge business for us. So, you have to stay true to your core business, but you have to be flexible.

Surf Expo's upcoming trade show in Orlando, Florida, August 20-22, includes many key efforts and activities designed to make the show experience meaningful for manufacturers and retailers:

• Buyer Attendance: To date, buyer pre-registration is doing great, cresting the 6,000 mark and showing a six-percent increase from this same time period last year. Our pre-registration tally includes more than 500 retailers new to Surf Expo. Click here for a map of Surf Expo's preregistered buyers.

• Shapers Receive Enhanced Exposure: Shapers are the foundation of our industry and we want these guys to rebound and thrive. That's why we've done our utmost to put shapers front and center during the August show in a new, redesigned Board Builders Showcase. For only $100 a non-exhibiting shaper can display one of their boards in the high traffic center of Surf Expo and receive two passes to the show. Of course, shapers exhibiting at the August Surf Expo can participate for free.

• Demonstrations: Our commitment to shapers extends to our education program as well. Drew Brophy will be holding seminars on surfboard graphics, how to thrive as an artist in action sports, and how to give new life to old inventory through artistic embellishments. Click here to see a complete schedule of Surf Expo events.

•Surf Aid International Benefit: Although there's been belt-tightening at all levels of the industry, we can't neglect the great programs and organizations that rely on the surf industry. On Friday, August 21, at 8:00 p.m., Surf Expo will host a benefit party for Surf Aid International at Adobe Gila's. Buy a Surf Aid International bracelet at the show, show it at the bar, and receive free beer while listening to your favorite 80s cover band Gunner Down.

• BRA Retail Survivor Series: We're also excited to host the BRA Retail Survivor Series one day prior to the opening of the trade show on August 19, 2009. Providing specialty stores with the tools necessary to survive and increase profitability, the Retail Survivor Series will include tracks on merchandising and digital retailing. Click here for more information.

• Special Events: Surf Expo must be a business-friendly venue, but we haven't neglected the "show" aspect of our mission. We'll once again host wakeboarding's biggest night at the 6th Annual Wake Awards brought to you by Wakeboarding Magazine and Rockstar Energy Drink on Thursday at 6:00 pm in the Chapin Theater (Room W320). We've partnered with Eastern Skateboard supply to bring in top skate pros like Corey Duffel, Brandon Westgate, Pepper and Chany, Chad Bartie and Gareth Stehr. These guys will be at Team Pain's Skate Art installation during two daily sessions at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. during the show.

• And yeah, the rumors are true, Surf Expo is bringing in a 50,000-gallon wakeboarding demo to the floor of Surf Expo and the top wake pros will be there. That's on top of our usual slew of seminars, fashion shows, and after-hour parties, so we're excited that there will be plenty of sizzle to go along with our usual business-friendly steak.

The Canadian market represents 33 million consumers who, coast to coast, have exhibited a healthy appetite for Surf/Skate/Snow and Outdoor products and apparel. Many emerging and established brands have had difficulty choosing a successful path to access this opportunity.

The traditional "wholesale distributor" model is not the only avenue through which to enter Canada. While there are a number of successful distributors, their portfolios are already full and in many cases, they have competing lines under the same roof.

There is the option to become a "Non-Resident Importer" and bring the Canadian territory under domestic management. The 1980 Canada-USA Tax Treaty enables U.S.-registered companies to conduct business in Canada without establishing a Canadian corporation or paying of Canadian taxes.

Many successful brands conduct business in Canada as "Non-resident Importers" or "NRI's". They have established relationships with Canadian sales agencies who attend US domestic sales meetings and report through the US sales management structure. Booked business is drop shipped directly to Canadian 3PL's who specialize in managing the business of NRI's and specifically the Action Sports market.

Also, because Canada does not have the same quota restrictions as the US, there is also an opportunity to transfer ATS product from the US warehouse to the Canadian warehouse to support in season sales.

The specialty 3PL's provide additional services including credit solutions, returns and warranty management, invoicing, and vendor compliance value adds. They can also assist in registration and interpretation of NRI requirements when exploring the lucrative Canadian Marketplace.

Most also have strong relationships with customs brokers and freight forwarders who specialize in servicing the U.S. non resident importers.

Becoming an NRI represents a low risk option to establish your brand in Canada, maintain your margin and protect your brand equity. It is a variable cost model that requires little to no front end investment until sales are established.

We're on the move, and it's in large part due to the business that action sports brands and retailers are doing here in Canada.

In April, we sold our 50,000-square-foot warehouse in Brampton, Ontario to National Logistics Services, though we'll continue to support NLS with management support for the next 30 months.

That center was responsible for about 10 percent of our total revenue, and was not focused on the Action Sports business. Selling it is a strategic move that helps us tighten our focus on our core products and clients - and on growing by adding new clients and services such as full Business to Consumer logistics.

Meanwhile, we're gearing up to focus our resources and energy on opening our new, 130,000-square-foot facility in Kamloops, British Columbia. The new facility will double our space to 260,000 square feet in Kamloops, which is where our current warehouses and headquarters are located.

We're making a major investment in technology and automation enhancements to our warehouse management applications and our product conveyance.

This new facility dramatically increases our ability to meet the growth plans of our current clients -- and accommodate new clients. The facility contains 75,000 single SKU pick locations and 5,000 bulk storage locations. It has 4,000 feet of conveyor combined with a forward-pick module that give us the ability to process over 100,000 units inbound and 100,000 units outbound per day - doubling our current processing capability to 200,000 units in and out per day.

We're leveraging our current technology in the new facility, which will contain both RF and voice pick applications, full WMS capabilities, and put-to-light outbound processing. The new facility will also house NRI's reverse logistics operations.

We have the capacity to expand and increase storage capacity by another 25 percent.

Congratulations to all of the nominees for the 2009 SIMA Image Awards. And I want to give a special shout-out to our clients who made the list. (Click here to see the full list.)

Last week I sent my team a note telling them that we have at least one  client in every category that applies to us.

We’re very proud of our clients for all they’ve achieved, and it feels like we’re celebrating right alongside them. We get satisfaction from seeing our clients get nominated, because to be the manufacturer of the year, in any of these categories, you have to have a good IT system, period.

So congratulations to these nominees who are also our clients:
 

Breakthrough Brand of the Year

Atwater

Men's Marketing Campaign of the Year

...lost's "The ‘Old'...lost" Campaign
Hurley's "Phantom - True Performance" Campaign

Men's Apparel Brand of the Year

Hurley
O'Neill
RVCA
Volcom

Men's Boardshort of the Year

Angulator Mod by Volcom
Phantom® 120 by Hurley
TIA by O'Neill

Women's Marketing Campaign of the Year

Hurley's "Young Contemporary" Campaign
Volcom's "Easy on the Eyes" Campaign

Women's Apparel Brand of the Year

Hurley
RVCA
Volcom Girls

Women's Swim Brand of the Year

Hurley
Volcom

Environmental Product of the Year

V.Co-Logical Creedlers Sandal by Volcom

Footwear Product of the Year

Kia'i by Olukai

Surf Turkey by O'Neill

- By Meghann Butcher, RepSpark Systems

To maximize business in today's economy, a company must ensure retail accounts are being serviced better than ever, while overhead costs are being decreased. Believe me, now is not the time to lose customers. Never before has providing the right products, to the right customer, at the right time, with the right technology been more important. Growth can be experienced, even in downturns, when loyalty, motivation and the ability to resist competition are instilled within a customer while in-house overhead is reduced.
Constantly we hear, "I'm not going to invest in IT until business turns around." However, this mantra is erroneous. The key is to make careful investments in areas likely to yield the near-term revenue and efficiency gains so important in a slumping economy. Four examples offered in the McKinsey Quarterly are investments in:

1.Managing sales and pricing

2.Optimizing sourcing and production

3.Enhancing support processes

4.Optimizing overhead and performance management.

A sales force automation/B2B tool addresses three of these areas. Sales are managed with real-time information given to reps making them the most knowledgeable source for each account. In addition, managers have a pulse on reps, territories & accounts on a real-time basis. Support is enhanced as accounts are given the option to enter orders 24/7, track packages, and familiarize themselves with a company's marketing platforms. Overhead is impacted as customer service personnel can be reduced or can focus on servicing the customer rather than placing orders. No other tool fulfills the critical need of increasing service and a company's competitive edge in today's market.