By John Stouffer

February 25, 2000

Scott Oreschnick, manager of Cal Surf in Minneapolis, Minnesota, says that Special Blend, Dub, and Fishpaw were the leading glove companies this year. The shop also saw strong goggle sales from Spy, Arnette, and Dragon, with all selling at keystone margins. "We didn’t have to put anything on sale until mid January, and by then almost everything was sold," says Oreschnick.

Because the shop is oriented more toward a skate background, it doesn’t stock underwear, he adds. He says it’s an item that would be sold by ski shop or sporting-goods store.

Burton and local glove-manufacturer Granite Gear lead the glove sales at Freestyle of Duluth in Duluth, Minnesota. According to Manager Ryan Leege, Granite Gear offers a lifetime warranty and sells well. The shop also did well with Foursquare gloves.

Freestyle sold out of its Arnette and Dragon goggles, and did well with Oakley. All three brands, in addition to the gloves, sold at suggested retail price through the season.

At the Boarding House in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Burton’s Universe mitts dominated glove sales, says Snowboard Buyer Tim Landwehr.

The shop, which is part of Zeller’s Ski and Sport, saw Arnette and Spy come on strong in goggle sales, with Arnette leading. For both goggles and gloves, the store reported 50-percent margins.

The shop doesn’t carry much underwear, but has recently added Burton’s Backhill items. "The parents are buying it for the kids, and the margins have come up from 40 to 50 percent," says Landwehr.

According to Chris Neville, manager of Sunsports in Columbus, Ohio, Burton outsold other glove brands three to one last season. The shop also carried Level and Fishpaw, but according to Neville, "Burton makes just a little better product for the money."

The shop carried Oakley, Santa Cruz, Dragon, and Arnette goggles, but Oakley was the clear leader. "Oakley came out with the new A-Frame and people loved it," he added.

The shop also carried a bit of Burton underwear, but didn’t see much business with it.

Da Kine and Burton topped glove sales at The Shred Shop in Skokie, Illinois, says Owner Chris Bachman. "They had a good price and offered a great discount, so we actually made over keystone," he adds.

In the underwear category, the shop carries the Polarmax line. "We bought 5,000-dollars worth of it and will roll over whatever doesn’t sell to next year," Bachman says. "It’s non-branded, comes in blue or black and in three weights, and I don’t have to discount it." He says the line sells for keystone margins.

Dragon and Oakley lead the goggle pack at The Shred Shop. "We did well with accessories last season," he says. "People bought a lot for gifts and they were easy add-on items."