Outdoor retailers gear up for annual show
Tonge and his wife, Kelly Tonge, of Hertfordshire, England, are independent distributors of canoes, kayaks, paddles, life vests and other water accessories to about 38 shops throughout the United Kingdom. This week, work has brought them to Utah for the Outdoor Retailers Summer Market, which is taking place Friday through Monday at the Salt Palace Convention Center and the EnergySolutions Arena. About 1,050 companies will be exhibiting products for buyers, retailers and manufacturers.
The Tonges are among the estimated 23,000 people who are expected to attend this year's convention. The preshow began Wednesday at Pineview Reservoir outside Ogden, where the Tonges tested products in the water.
Kelly Tonge, a registered nurse who helps with her husband's business, enjoyed the smooth ride of an 11-foot Emotion Kayak called Temptation. Her husband was on a Prijon kayak that he has ordered for shops in the United Kingdom.
"Good design, good stability, and that's quite key for something so narrow," he said.
Joe Flynn, a vice president for Nielsen Business Media, which produces the Outdoor Retailers Summer Market for the Outdoor Industry Association, said this year's show is the biggest in the 11 years the convention has been in Salt Lake City "even in a down economy where retail is struggling."
"I think a lot of it is people are doing less overseas, going to Mexico," Flynn said told audience members as a Salt Lake Rotary Club luncheon Tuesday. "People are preferring to stay closer to home for their vacation, because of high fuel prices and plane tickets. They're trekking into wilderness areas closer to home."
According to an Outdoor Industry Association report, participation in most outdoor sports has increased. Thirty percent more people participated in indoor and boulder climbing in 2007 than in 2006, and 43.4 percent more people participated in white-water kayaking during that time.
While participation in outdoor sports is on the rise, the economy has slowed retail sales. According to another report by the association, outdoor-retail sales growth was softer this past June, compared with June 2007. Speciality stores did $110.2 million in business this June, compared with $110.1 million in June 2007. Chain stores fared better, doing $210.6 million in business this June, compared with $203.1 million in June 2007. Internet retail grew the most: $68.6 million this June, compared with $57.2 million the previous June.
At the Outdoor Retailers Summer Market, the exhibitors are manufacturers, and the clients are distributors and retailers. The show is closed to the general public.
Comments
- Attempted murder case refiled 1:58 a.m.
- Sports on the air 1:38 a.m.
- This weekend on TV 1:38 a.m.
- Birthdays for Saturday, July 11 1:38 a.m.
- 2 men cited on LDS plaza 1:37 a.m.
- S.L. man spots stolen car — his 1:23 a.m.
- Girl critical after run-in with train 1:23 a.m.
- Probe of death treated as slaying 1:22 a.m.
- Taylorsville man arrested in robbery 1:21 a.m.
- HBO defends U. logo use in 'Love' 1:20 a.m.
- Jazz brass debate Millsap match
- LDS seminary principal arrested
- 2 men cited on LDS plaza
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- Teacher faces new sex charges
- HBO defends U. logo use in 'Love'
- Jazz finances not quite so bleak
- Jazz talking Boozer trade?
- S.L. man spots stolen car — his
- Jazz down Oklahoma City
- LDS seminary principal arrested
160 - Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
141 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
136 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
123 - Jazz brass debate Millsap match
99 - Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
94 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
74 - Letters: Single-payer system best
72 - Services bids farewell to Jackson
70
By now you've probably read about the investigation that showed just how...
The photographs are mysterious, brooding, dark. They show dimples and...
I love Millsap, and the Jazz will find a way to move Boozer and match for...
i think its childish to assume that somebody would actually want to get...
Millsap and Boozer need to stay in Utah. Millsap is Boozers backup while he...
Childish and immature? Its always easier being ignorant and presuming things...
can you use words like testimony and church leadership to critisize a...
Bro P really helped me through a tough time in my life when I had him in...
These are only allegations at present, but I hope when he goes to trial, the...
My thoughts are with the Pratt family right now. Michael I hope you are...
It is interesting that everyone who seems to be a member comments on how nice...
You presume, simply because they were gay, that they were trying to "stir...




You can be the first to comment on this story.