Tuesday Top Seller: Missoula’s Edge of the World

ADMIN

• January 06 2009
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Edge of the World
618 South Higgins, Missoula, Montana
www.edgeoworld.com
Shop Owner: Jake Barrow

Jake Barrow purchased the 2,200-square-foot space that is now Edge of the World five years ago, and the shop has remained one of the only core skate and snow stores in Missoula, Montana. About 70 percent of the shop’s customers are between the ages of 18-25, but Edge of the World still has many riders that don’t fit the typical mold, according to Barrow.

“We are kind of all over the place,” Barrow says. “We have the University of Montana here, so it’s really ages 18-25 that is our meat and potatoes, but we also just sold a board to a 50 year old guy today.”

Edge of the World has had lots of luck with rocker technology, which has been made most prominent with Lib Tech’s “Banana Technology” boards, and the shop plans to buy 60-40 in favor of rocker technology next year, Barrow says.

““We can’t really sell anything that’s not a rocker,” Barrow says.”Mervin is taking over with our board sales. They are killing it - almost half of our board orders live in Lib and GNU…It’s crazy; it’s what everybody wants.”

In the departments of apparel and outerwear, Barrow says sales have always been a little slow. Edge of the World specializes in hardgoods, and Barrow told us what his top three best selling categories have been over the holiday season.

BEST SELLING CATEGORIES

1. Boots
“Hardgoods- pretty much boots and bindings - have been a big category for us the last few years,” Barrow says. “We don’t sell as many jackets and stuff.”

Best Selling Brand: Burton
“Definitely Burton, hands down,” Barrows says about the shop’s boot sales.

Best Selling SKU: Ion
“We don’t really carry Motos and or any of the other boots like that,” Barrows explains, mentioning that the Ions are by far the best selling SKU in this category.

2. Bindings

Best Selling Brand: Burton
Burton’s bindings - detailed on the company’s Web site - each have their own list of special features, ranging from gel heel cushioning, Living Hinge technology, and dual-component smooth-glide buckles.

Best Selling SKU: The Cartell
The Triad and the Mission were also in the running, but when it comes down to it, the Cartel is Edge of the World’s top selling binding.

3. Goggles
Accessories have been strong at Edge of the World, including board bags and hats, according to Barrow. One of the stand-out sellers lately has definitely been goggles, he says.

Best Selling Brand: Anon Optics
best selling, Oakley probably would be our best selling but don’t carry them as much. Don’t sell any boards that are owned by ski company.

Best Selling SKU: Figment
The Figment comes with an interchangeable strap system and panoramic lens technology, according to Anon’s Web site.