 Poster: A snowHead
|
Looks like "The Chav Shop" as we call it will be selling loads of skiwear soon. I wonder how competent their boot fitters will be?
From Natives
Sports Direct to enter ski market
Discount sportswear shop Sports Direct has made a move to enter the snowsports sector. The company recently announced that it is aiming to capture 20% of the UK market within the next three years.
This announcement came after Sports Direct purchased discounted ski wear and snowsports equipment stores and sites. They bought The Ski Warehouse and skiwear4less .com, which operates four stores.
Sports Direct is valued at £1.8bn and they will soon be putting skiwear4less shops inside their existing Sports Direct stores. They will aim to capture one fifth of the UK retail Market by 2015/16.
The company, which was founded by Mike Ashley who owns Newcastle United Football Club, released a statement saying: "The snow sports market is relatively untapped by Sports Direct … the acquisition of Skiwear4less opens up an excellent opportunity to grow our presence."
This move will surely cause the ears of others within the industry to prick up as the established major outlets on the high street have been operating through tough conditions lately.
TK Maxx seems to have done well in the market by offering cheaper alternatives in clothing, however, overall, the UK market has shrunk and there are now 30% less people out on the slopes from Britain than there were 4 years ago, according to PlanetSKI.
Viewed 57 times
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
Field & Trek is also part of their empire. i bought my ME Changabang jacket from them online and also got a nice HH Merino top last year. Both very cheap. Still hate them though!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
Just spoke to a chap at The Ski Warehouse in Exeter (as it is just down the road) asking if they had a boot fitting service. He said that heating up the liners was just a gimmick and the couple of times he did it it made no difference. Only maybe worthwhile if you has spurs.Don't thinkI'll be getting my boots there. This is one of the shops in the chain which is being taken over.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| Quote: |
He said that heating up the liners was just a gimmick and the couple of times he did it it made no difference. Only maybe worthwhile if you has spurs.Don't thinkI'll be getting my boots there.
|
Think I'll be joining you on that one!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
Claude B, why do you hate them?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
There's an excellent surf shop in our local town that also sells some skiwear. It seems to be stocking less since TK Maxx opened here. There is also Mountain Wearhouse which sell cheap own brand stuff. I hope this latest news doesn't affect the independents too much.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Going to be interesting to see what brands they are going to stock and how big the selection is going to be. As I remember Skiwear4less never seemed to stock a full range of skiwear. Lots of items on their web site was only available in certain sizes and colours etc. And to be honest I never found their prices that appealing. Then thinking about it I always thought the same of other on line ski wear retailers. Apart from Ellis brigham, I can't think of any that I would rate highly for having a good range
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I find that shopping at Sports Direct is like going into a cave, lined with bats. Then there are the obstructions. Nothing but obstructions. Rails and rails and rails of shirts, shorts and other shite blocking your way like obstructive sheep. It's a wonder that anyone can get to the tills.
95% of Sport Direct merchandise is designed to make British men look worse dressed than anyone else on Planet Earth.
Women seem to avoid the place like the plague.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
| Comedy Goldsmith wrote: |
| Women seem to avoid the place like the plague. |
Not the case. They are always in there getting their kid's trainers and footy boots on the cheap.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Swiller, precisely. They wouldn't be seen dead buying anything for themselves in Sports Direct, unless they want to look like some lager-filled monster.
There's a classic approach to ski shop design, which leaves customers feeling welcome and attended to. Somewhere you'd have a nice conversation about the mountains, while the aroma of freshly-brewed ski wax wafts throught the air.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
| Comedy Goldsmith wrote: |
There's a classic approach to ski shop design, which leaves customers feeling welcome and attended to. Somewhere you'd have a nice conversation about the mountains, while the aroma of freshly-brewed ski wax wafts throught the air. |
Given half the topics on this site are about skiing for as little as possible, I cant help but feel it will do well. In just the same way it is always rammed full of people buying cheap trainers and nylon tee shirts. If it is cheap people will go.
I buy golf ball there, not the cheap crap ones, the reduced good ones.
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
sorry but sports direct is great for footwear especially for kids, also we are continually in there for the latest 'kit' for our football mad son, some of it may be 'chav' (how nice to be able to look down on people  ) but for a lot of stuff its very cheap.
seems to working for them as they are currently the most sucessful sports chain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You can't play football on a white slope
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
northernsoulboy, Their shops are so ramshackle it's a job to move around and find things, there are always big queues to pay, their returns policy is not to my liking, they're full of their own brand crap. Online is more tolerable but returns are still a pain. Many of the main brands they stock have been bought up by Ashley and put on his own cheap crap (Umbro, Fila, Karrimor, Pierre Cardin, etc, etc).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
am i right in thinking that they also own the 'Nevica' name ?? - the brand that 'everyone' wore in the 80's 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
| Comedy Goldsmith wrote: |
| You can't play football on a white slope |
As Maradona proved...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
| Comedy Goldsmith wrote: |
I find that shopping at Sports Direct is like going into a cave, lined with bats. Then there are the obstructions. Nothing but obstructions. Rails and rails and rails of shirts, shorts and other shite blocking your way like obstructive sheep. It's a wonder that anyone can get to the tills.
|
^ This - Sportsdirect is the place where brands go to die. Found myself in Lillywhites at the weekend, decided it'd be better for all concerned to wait outside...*Shudder*
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| Quote: |
Apparently they dont own Umbro
|
No, but Mike Ashley personally owns a chunk of it. As he does a chunk of Amer Sports... and that's going to be the most interesting thing when it comes to supplies of skis/boots etc.
He likes to park his tanks on people's lawns!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
Much prefer Decathlon to be honest...
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Just taking over from where C&A left off all those years ago I would imagine...cheap and cheerful and good stuff as long as it doesn't snow!! And yes they bought Nevica a year or two ago.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I can't see them selling too much hardwear - maybe odds and ends, I reckon they will be concentrating on clothing as there must be a much higher profit on clothes than there is on skis and boots and the like so if I was clothing mid level clothing brand I would be nervous....I seem to remember that Sports Direct or more specifically Mike Ashley was desperate to get hold of some North Face clothing to sell by getting involved or maybe buying Blacks but North Face dead against this and were ready to buy Blacks/outdoor group in order to stop him getting his hands on the gear?
It was a while back so some of this info may be a little sketchy but that was the jist of things as I remember them - Mike Ashley is on the prowl again so it will be interesting to see how things pan out.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Blacks (and Milletts) were bought by Ashleys rivals JDsports.... (only a little better than SportsDirect !!)
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
Claude B, yes, but what do you really think 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| albob wrote: |
| Blacks (and Milletts) were bought by Ashleys rivals JDsports.... (only a little better than SportsDirect !!) |
didn't know that but going into a JD sports is nothing compared to the bun fight that is Sports Direct!! It will be fun watching what happens and how it affects TK Maxx etc
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
Hmmm, thanks for the news. We're developing a nice little following and the quality of Didriksons and Lindberg products combined with our specific focus on children seems to be working. I think there's a SportDirect in Dundee, but then there's also a TK Maxx, so, hey ho.
Personally, I'll still be buying my gear from Banks of Perth because of their level of service. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
Bought three wheeled cases there before last years ski trip. Great price and very good quality. These were ordered online on Sunday afternoon and they arrived on Monday.
Bought Muddy Fox cycle tights there. Fitted me perfectly and again great value.
Bought my Asics trainers there. Best pair I have owned.
Daughters Spedo swimsuit was perfect.
Nike golfing glove also bought from SD.
Three T-Shirts for £6. Perfect for work.
"The Chav Shop" as spotted from up your own asre.
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| palumbex wrote: |
"The Chav Shop" as spotted from up your own asre.
. |
Sorry if I offended you.
I also have bought many items from there myself over the years. Just recently a pair of Karrimoor (sp?) trainers, my third pair of exactly the same model over a period of time.
The reason we call it "The Chav Shop" is on account of the dress sense of most of the customers who visit our local branch, many wearing white Jimmy Savile type tracksuits. I can only comment on our local branch as I have never visited any others.
Edited to add this..Yes, I am refering to the Taunton branch (Sports Direct is still called Sports Soccer here) and it gets a special mention here
http://www.chavtowns.co.uk/2005/02/taunton-a-rough-choice/
Last edited by So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much  on Tue 18-12-12 21:16; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
how long before we get the 'sports direct snowdome' or better still 'dendix direct'
opens popcorn ..................
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| palumbex wrote: |
Bought three wheeled cases there before last years ski trip. Great price and very wonky
"The Chav Shop" as spotted from up your own asre.. |
It's not Selfridges is it. It's a nylon static knuckle dragging jumble sale.
Hope your three wheeled cases worked for you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
| Filthyphil30k wrote: |
| palumbex wrote: |
Bought three wheeled cases there before last years ski trip. Great price and very wonky
"The Chav Shop" as spotted from up your own asre.. |
It's not Selfridges is it. It's a nylon static knuckle dragging jumble sale.
Hope your three wheeled cases worked for you. |
Thanks. You are correct, it is not Selfridges. You may go to the top of the class and give out the pencils. .
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
You get what you pay for though, cases normally have 2 or 4 wheels
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
TechHead,
You have omitted C&A 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
sequoiaboard,
taunton is where I live too. I agree that the taunton sports direct is rather dire. Most of the staff there seem to have no interest in the products or customers. However last time I went I did get a good assistant who advised me well on some running shoes - and then advised me to buy them on their online store as they didn't have my size. However I cannot see this place selling ski boots, imagine their fitting service!! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Hate the place, 10,000 cotton t shirts with different logo's on it, I'm a keen Gym goer and couldnt find a single useable piece of clothing in there. Its great if you want trainers, footie kits and normal t shirts but for actual sporting use its very lack lustre, no worse than DW though.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It will come as good news to pupils going on school ski trips (who may never ski again) or for families who may want to try out skiing for the first time. They will also sell a large number of ski jackets to people who have no intention to go skiing but just want a warm coat.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
It's note my favourite store by a long chalk, but it can't be a bad thing. Ski equipment can be very pricey if you want all the top brands, I am sure there is a place in the market for lower end stuff, badged as our former favourite brands. I remember when Karrimor made top quality kit, now they are owned (I assume) by Sports direct and churn out rubbish, but for hacking around in, I have 2 pairs of Karrimor mountain shoes that are just fine and for £20, significantly cheaper than Merril! Sure, the quality is not the same, but we can't all afford top end stuff and if only using once a year as most of us do, then whats the harm!
The stores themselves are quite scary though!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If Sports Direct adventure into ski market means a little competition to Ellis Brigham Snow & Rock in a few areas ie socks jacket ski pants base layers this will be good for the public. Snow & Rock etc will have to reduce or freeze prizes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
