retail buyer’s guide
RETAIL BUYER’S GUIDE
W A K E B OA R D H A R D G O O D S S S 22
JOBE
It has been trying times for the water sports industry but when it comes to wakeboarding the industry has adapted to the conditions. While it has been a tough learning curve the demand is there and rising. The focus is on getting more product to retailers and meeting the increased demand in wakeboarding. In this retail buyer’s guide we take a deep dive into these learnings, trends and what’s coming up in the industry. By Dana Miskulnig.
LEARNINGS 2019 and 2020 threw the boardsport industry through the ringer. So what learnings are wakeboard brands taking with them into 2022? The supply chain still seems to be the big one here, after two years of feeling the logistical impact of COVID-19, brands are still learning and looking to optimize. Sean O’Brien, Director of Marketing at O’Brien tells us, “As a brand, we learned how important it was to have inventory. We originally thought that we were well positioned, but with the pandemic driven boost to the watersports industry, 96
“As a brand, we learned how important it was to have inventory. We originally thought that we were well positioned, but with the pandemic driven boost to the watersports industry, we quickly realized how susceptible we were to supply chain and shipping delays. We have modified our ordering so hopefully these issues will be a thing of the past.” Sean O’Brien, O’Brien
we quickly realized how susceptible we were to supply chain and shipping delays. We have modified our ordering so hopefully these issues will be a thing of the past.” The same sentiment is present at Jobe as William Doornekamp explains, “a big
