Bob the Voter

Bob the Voter

See the Local Voter in line to early vote.

Gimme Shelter, Not Vandalism

10/30/2008 THE NEWEST PARK CITY BUS SHELTER IS COMPLETE

LOCATION: NORTH SIDE OF KEARNS BOULEVARD BETWEEN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL

Local artist Bob Commander, well known for his community projects in the Park City area has completed a summer long project, known to close friends and business associates as "THE Shelter".

Mr. Commander, also known as the "Local Artist" is a partner in the Park City based, eco-friendly clothing company: Locals Have More Fun. He stepped away from creating new art for the young company to work with a local non-profit, Arts Kids. Mr. Commander worked with Arts Kids in creating a bus shelter by the community for the community.

His work culminated in the installation of the "shell". Mr. Commander called on close friends and business associates to help with the heavy lifting of the metal pieces. Mr. Commander oversaw the installation so as not to damage the art, the coating that protected the art, and to make sure that the proper steps were taken to install the sheet metal to the existing bus shelter.

Mr. Commander on the completion and famous last words: "I just hope the older kids appreciate this "cute" bus shelter that the younger area kids worked so hard on."

I say famous last words, because the bus shelter didn't last a week before it had graffiti art on top of the existing art and also some of the pieces were mangled and pulled apart.

So much for pride in Park City.










and corporate projects in the Park City area, but better known as the "Local Artist" for the local eco-friendly clothing company, Locals Have More Fun

Electric Bike

Mrs. Webb taking in the early morning sun on her new electric bike.

Looks like another beautiful day in Southwest Denver. Thank goodness gas prices are coming down or Mr. Webb, a.k.a. "Local Rep" would have to "peddle" his Locals Have More Fun samples from buyer to buyer.

American's Delusional Regarding Their Health

Most Americans believe they are in better-than-average health for their age.
More than 1/2 of surveyed men and women believe they are in "good" or "excellent" shape.

After 18, lots of people drop out of sports, especially team sports.

45% of people surveyed didn't participate in any sports activities in 2007.

The 3 largest reasons for not participating:
**don't enjoy sports or fitness
**injury or health problem
**not enough time
Other reasons: too expensive and lack of opportunities to play

What would motivate them to participate:
**less expensive equipment/fees
**doctor's recommendation
**less intimidating atmosphere
**tax deduction for the cost

40% of male and 24% of female said NOTHING would motivate me!

Of the 55% who did participate, most popular activities:
35% fitness
23% outdoor sports
21% individual sports
11% team
11% water
8% racquet
6% winter

What would drive them to participate more:
50% more time
40% more disposable income
30% spouse/family member participation
30% better access to facilities
20% more organized activities

What would drive them to spend more money on sports:
55% more disposable income
26% tax decuction
18% test prior to purchase
17% innovative, new equipment
29% nothing

What is needed is more innovation and smarter marketing. Messages to the baby boomers, messages about the positive impact (and yes, congress is going to receive a bill about tax deductions for certain types of exercicse equipment/use fees).

Washington needs to provide backing (75.7 million in PEP grants will be awarded to schools and community based organizations). Washington needs to prevent sickness, not just provide after the fact.

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Outdoor Industry Post Positive Sales in August

August sales in specialty, chain, and internet totaled $346 million, 12% year over year.

Tents and camping gear - $11m and $46m respectivel

Small packs (back-to-school) saw a small rise

Chain store sales $169m, gaining 13% in units and 14% in dollars year over year
Specialty store sales $116m (3% increase), gaining 2% in units
Internet $61m, 32% in units and 28% in dollars year over year

Single digit growth is expected as the next few months data comes in.

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Hike of the Day

Locals hike of the day in Summit County:

Moose Hollow

South facing and warm! Some single track, some wider areas as you climb towards Parleys summit.

Due to the southern exposure, there are still great fall colors!

One Percent for the Planet - Store

Eco Women

Green Link for the Day: Eco Women: Protectors of the Planet!

I will expand more on this as we get closer to the holidays, but here are a few green females to go along with our alpha green female.

I will expand more on this as we approach the winter season as we could all use some green tips during the winter months.

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Retail Numbers for the Outdoor Industry

For many decades, outdoor retail has proven to be a recession-resistant industry. Note that I said resistant, not recession-proof. The fact is certain activity segments of the industry will slow down during this recession while others will pick up. By understanding past industry trends, both retailers and brands can capitalize and actually grow during the most challenging of times.

During the recessions of the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, several retailers reported to Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) that sales slowed to single-digit growth. However, sales quickly rebounded and returned to double-digit growth before the rest of the economy recovered. Anecdotal evidence from long time industry leaders suggests that it was the mass shift to affordable and simple activities like family camping that helped fuel growth in tough times.

Fast forward to the economic slow down over the last eighteen months and we now have hard data to back these claims. According to the OIA Topline Retail Sales Report, U.S. outdoor industry retail sales grew 10% in 2007 and another healthy increase of 9% was posted in the first six months of 2008. At same time, the U.S Gross Domestic Product (GDP) slowed measurably and posted an average increase of only 2% over the same eighteen month period.

Why did the outdoor industry remain so strong through such a difficult time frame? In short, Americans returned to low-cost transportation and recreation activities. Cycling and camping sales shot up and the equipment, outerwear, footwear and accessories related to these activities realized strong growth. In addition, internet purchases shot up and the retailers and brands that closely monitored these trends and reacted quickly to take advantage of what has become a predictable consumer shift have reported their best seasons in years.

At the OIA Rendezvous, Marian Salzman, one of the nation’s leading trendspotters, shared a story of a recent keynote speech she gave to the leadership team at Accenture. While speaking to the investment executives, Ms. Salzman stated that the only businesses in which she would consider investing right now were soup and camping. Her reasoning was that Americans will be looking to escape the long-term economic turmoil and constant barrage of the media by returning to low-cost, simple activities that involve the entire family. If this prediction holds true, as it has in the past, businesses that support cycling, camping, hiking, fishing and paddling activities may be very well positioned for several years.

So what lies ahead? In the near future, the upcoming winter months are of great concern for many retailers and many are reacting by reducing their inventories. If winter brings cold weather across the country, apparel and equipment will certainly move off the shelves and we will all look smart. If not, it could be a challenging season due to the economic news and realities. Some retailers are planning to be 10% to 15% down this season while others argue that planning to be down creates a self-fulfilling prophecy.

One thing is for sure; as spring comes and Americans consider how they will spend time with their families and friends in the coming year, low-cost outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, paddling and fishing will be on the rise. Recent research from The Outdoor Foundation shows that 8 out of 10 Americans who are active in outdoor activities feel that they have less stress in their lives, have stronger family relationships and are happier as a result. The great outdoors truly is a natural and low-cost alternative to ensure happier, healthier families. These are wonderful themes and messages for any outdoor business to promote, now and in the future.

By reminding our customers that the outdoor community has been and will be here for them, we provide valuable benefits and necessary services in troubling times. Outdoor businesses help ensure the mental and physical health of our customers and, contrary to the daily news cycles, provide a great means for escape. We all hope that the present market challenges pass quickly. However, a lengthy recession may be another in a long line of great business opportunities for our industry, to introduce and remind more Americans that the great outdoors is a constant, proven and cost-effective alternative for them and their families to enjoy.

Throughout the next year, OIA will expand its offerings on economic, sales and profit related trends, research, Webinars and educational seminars and highlight them in the weekly WebNews, at the semi-annual Outdoor Retailer tradeshows and on our website. In addition, OIA has worked diligently with Outdoor Retailer to significantly increase the member exhibitor discounts at the trade show over the next several years. In 2009, OIA members in good standing will receive increased savings of 5% on exhibit fees and receive additional special discounts on GES.

Green Website for the Day

Green Website:

350.org

Started by author and environmentalist, Bill McKibben, 350.org stands for the parts per million of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. 350ppm represents the number that we need to get back DOWN to in order to keep our planet a functioning planet.

If we don't, 6 irreversible tipping points will occur - one of them being a massive sea level rise.

Go the website and find out what the other 5 tipping points are.

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