An AAPN Member Report from Outdoor Retailer Show

July 30, 2009

From Don Cilley, Carmel Creative Knits:

This was the first time in over a year that I have been at a show that was - ALIVE! Across the board, both brands and retailers have pulled themselves back into a shell – no inventory risks, no new product risks! Last week the word was that people are ready to get moving again – the market sees real optimism for the 2011 lines. Product development people are focused on new opportunities and getting the product right for a consumer they expect will be there.

Carmel Creative Knits has been promoting RECYCLED COTTON and ECO fibers for the past two years – last week one of those Billion Dollar Majors came up to me and said “I have had your fabric on my desk for the past year – we need to talk.” I had given up on them! I hadn’t tried to set up a meeting with them prior to the show. The interest in GREEN is still out there and coming back. RECYCLED is finally gaining interest over organic.

The “Storm Fleece” was also a major hit. Think of the hoodie sweatshirt you have in your closet – but this one is water resistant. It is an improvement on an basic item that everyone loves to wear, but now with functionality!

We are beginning to see the light at the end of a long dark tunnel. Between now and then – hold on and stay in the game!

Tags: americas , fabric , networking

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