Top Seller: Minnesota’s Freestyle of Duluth

adamsullivan

• June 30 2009
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Minnesota’s Freestyle of Duluth, or F.O.D., has been around since 1988 and its involvement in the local skate scene has helped keep the shop in the spotlight, says owner Taylor Leege. The shop, which has 2,500-square-feet of sales floor space, has been working recently with DNA’s Alien Workshop and Habitat, as well as Analog and Gravis, to create a series of skate contests held at several local parks. Similar events such as skate video premieres have helped the shop gain a larger following, Leege says. “Leading up to [the events] and a few days after we tend to see some new faces around the shop. It’s good exposure because the kids see you out at the contest with banners, and I think it definitely helps.” Here’s what’s selling at F.O.B. lately:

TOP SELLING CATEGORIES

1. Skate Hardgoods
Decks, Trucks and wheels had solid sales over the last few months at F.O.D., according to Leege. “We sell a lot of shop decks,” he says. “They seem to be even more popular this year with people trying to save a few bucks.”

Brand: Chocolate
Deluxe and Krooked also came in a close second, according to Leege.

SKU: Marc Johnson
“In general with Chocolate, we are selling a lot of the Marc Johnson decks, but for most part I think it’s the shape that people like – it seems like 7.8 to 8 inch is most popular,” Leege says.

2. Footwear
Skate shoe sales are in close running with hardgoods and have been fairing well at the shop lately, despite the weakened economy, according to Leege, who explained F.O.D. has been moving a lot of marked down footwear lately.

Brand: Lakai
Lakai is No. 1 at the shop right now, with Vans a close second. Leege also adds: “Circa has picked up this year.”

SKU: Manchester Selects
Other models that are performing well include Vans Chucka Lo, and the Mike Mo colorway was also popular for Lakai.

3. Apparel
In the apparel department, F.O.D. has been selling more T-shirts than denim and hoodies, according to Leege, who explains: “I think just because it’s a little less of a price tag and that’s something people can afford.” As far as overall shop sales, apparel has seen a decline in sales compared to past years, says Leege.

Brand: Girl
Quite a few Girl T-shirts, but also say Alien workshop and habitat doing well this spring partly with video out but also rad graphics, Volcom and Madix are also doing well.

SKU: N/A
While it’s hard to pinpoint a particular best-selling T-shirt, Leege says that the brighter colorways tend to outperform the rest. “We do alot of FOD house brand T-shirts because they’re a little cheaper and people want to support their local shop.”