Theme, $529; Knew, $459.
www.nichesnowboards.com
Retailer Contact: 206.372.0279, greg@nichesnowboards.com
Greg Hughes, Vice President, Sales:
Niche Snowboards VP of Sales Greg Hughes.
What are the biggest trends shaping the hardgoods market for next year?
People want high quality brands to which they can relate. Riders not only want an excellent product, they want to support a community that connects with their values and their vision of what snowboarding should be. Perhaps as an extension of this, eco-friendly materials and innovative approaches to crafting boards gain more and more momentum each season.
How has the market evolved over the last year and how do you see things changing for next?
Snowboarding has evolved to a point where it is a truly a collection of subcultures and diverse interests united by a passion for shredding. Brands that want to continue to be successful need to embrace this and focus on meeting the varied needs of today’s riders. Transparency-in how a company is run and makes its products-and personal interactions are vital for brands to form connections with their consumers. It is essential to listen to your consumers, act on their concerns and interests, and provide them with excellent, value-driven products.
How are you working with retailers to help ensure strong margins and the right amount of product in the marketplace?
That’s easy since it’s our first year of distribution. We’ll find only the best shops in the country to sell our brand and grow slowly. Smart distribution is the key to holding retailers’ prices. We’ll grow as we’re allowed to grow.
How big are your lines going to be compared to years past? Have you seen customers being confused by too many different stories?
This being our first year, we tried to keep the line fairly simple and straightforward, while still offering something for every rider. By keeping a simple graphic lineup and offering a wide selection of size and camber options, we feel we were able to accomplish that.
Are you rethinking where you make product with the current difficulties in China?
We have never and will never manufacture our boards in China. The quality of construction and poor working conditions are unacceptable for us. Furthermore, as part of our efforts to minimize Niche’s footprint, all of the ingredients that go into our decks are regionally sourced. This commitment to stewardship can’t be created just anywhere..
Where do you honestly foresee prices heading for next season?
Up. That’s what we keep hearing. But in the end we’ll see.
We have been hearing a lot of green stories in all product categories. Is this something you are focusing on for hardgoods?
Not only is this our primary focus for hardgoods, but for our company as a whole! From printing our catalogs and business cards to making our snowboards, our goal and focus is to be as eco-friendly as possible in everything that we do. We even use our veggie oil fueled mini-bus for traveling!
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 are using some new, revolutionary construction materials and technology, including: Snappy SapTM Bio Resin, Magma FiberTM, and HempHopTM. HempHopTM is an easily marketable selling point for most shop staff. HempHopTM replaces carbon stringers to provide even more pop-and in a much more eco-friendly manner. Our Snappy SapTM & Magma FiberTM also provide ridiculously amazing vibration dampening, board longevity and elasticity.
What are the biggest forces shaping the changes and developments you’ve made to your boards?
The biggest force shaping our boards is our mission to create the most eco-friendly, high-quality snowboards on the market. We went through over a year of prototype testing to make sure we found the best performing materials and construction techniques.
Any new materials or construction technologies in the pipe?
We are using new, patent pending construction technology! You can check out the process on our website: www.nichesnowboards.com
What themes are you seeing for graphics?
Simplicity, clean lines, geometric shapes, and simple color schemes.
