Lush, $489.99; Frolic, $479.99.
www.organicsnowboards.com
Retailer Contact: 604-906-1304
Jp Boulais and Olivier Boulais:
Organic Snowboard's Oliver Boulais.
What are the biggest trends shaping the hardgoods market for next year?
We think for next year, reverse camber will still remain a big trend in the snowboards industry. For us we mainly focus on testing new environmentally friendly materials to keep our place as a top eco friendly snowboards company.
How has the market evolved over the last year and how do you see things changing for next?
We’ve seen a big increase in the demand of eco-friendly product not only in snowboard but into every kind of product! We think that every company should improve or get at least one eco-friendly product on there line because the market is out looking really good, but the best is to go green all the way just like Organic snowboard.
How has sales forecasting changed for your company?
Our brand is fairly new to some part of the world still, that’s pretty much why we expect a constant increase of our sales. We would also say that our forecasting has changed because of a multitude of reasons like the increase demand of our product, an increase of the medias attentions, and comments related to our product and our brand made from random customers!
How are you working with retailers to help ensure strong margins and the right amount of product in the marketplace?
We first look at the competition and ask the retailers who do you compare us to and then we work a price around that. After all we make sure everything is working like we thought it was…
How big are your lines going to be compared to years past? Have you seen customers being confused by too many different stories?
Our customers usually understand our products. Our brand is all about creating something fun and sustainable. Organic only makes three different models. We are focusing on our core strength, park boards. When it comes to snowboard designs, we go for quality over quantity!
What opportunities do you see for growing hardgoods sales? (are you focusing more on kids, women, rentals, core retailers, chains, Internet, entry level product, high end, split boards, etc., etc.)Please explain
Since we started our snowboards were unisex, but we were getting a lot of feedback asking for a female-specific design. So we designed a narrower board with a softer flex, and we’re really stoked with how it worked out. Same thing happen with the reverse camber now optional on two of our models. Next year we are adding one more size to one of our model for powder and also for taller persons. We are thinking about adding more sizes to our models in the future so our customers have what they need. We like being flexible and open to new a thing, that’s how you need to be in this industry!
Where do you honestly foresee prices heading for next season?
Our prices will stay the same. We’re making our snowboards in California, USA, which is slightly more expensive, but we think being green has a price and that it adds to the prestige of our brand.
We have been hearing a lot of green stories in all product categories. Is this something you are focusing on for hardgoods?
Organic is all the way green, it actually inspired us to start the company Organic snowboard is not only focusing on making green hardgoods, we’re actually focusing on making our daily business operation as green as possible. As snowboarders we spend a lot of time in the environment, it’s something we love and it’s something we are passionate about preserving. Green is fashionable at the moment, which is great, and it encourages innovation in how snowboards are made. We are actually bringing something to the snowboard that never been seen before and this is sustainability!
Must have, new technologies have been about the only things selling at full ticket. What are you introducing that shop staff can demonstrate to customers and convince them that they have to have?
We like to keep our customers stoked on our product, so this year Organic made reverse camber boards – which recently has become a large section of the snowboard market. Also Organic is really innovative with being eco-friendly, we use hemp, bamboo water-based ink and our top sheets are made out of beans! Sustainability is a major trend in all areas of our lives, something that people really like. Another thing we’re proud of is our graphics. We’ve collaborated with our favorite artists to make boards which look different from anything else out there.
Boards
What are the biggest forces shaping the changes and developments you’ve made to your boards?
Our changes are inspired by two things: making a better snowboard and sustainability. We continually experiment with design and materials…
Any new materials or construction technologies in the pipe?
How are you going to make your snowboards in the future? Our goal is to become greener and greener, so we’re in the process to try an eco-friendly resin that could replace the actual epoxy resin. We all hope that the tests will go well and we will keep you posted!!
What themes are you seeing for graphics?
We think that Organic is a way for the artist to express a new art and lifestyle. Our goal is to see a great artistic society emerge within the culture of riding.
