GOLD COAST AWASH WITH SURF ART AHEAD OF BLEACH* FESTIVAL 07.02.12
Bleach* Surfing the Fringe festival mightn’t officially launch until this weekend, but the southern Gold Coast is already filling up with an abundance of surf-inspired art across a variety of reclaimed urban spaces and galleries collaborating with Bleach*.Bleach* will host over fifty-five art and photography installations, film screenings, music, talks, fashion, theatre and food events staged across the spectacular beaches, foreshores and major venues unique to the Southern Gold Coast from 11-26 Feb 2012. For 16 days, across 10kms, over 80 artists and musicians will be on display.
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ISPO MUNICH STRENGTHENS INDUSTRY’S CONFIDENCE 06.02.12
According to the shows organisers Messe Munchen International this years ISPO Munich (29 January–1 February) close to 80,000 visiting industry professionals from more than 100 countries came to preview the latest trends presented by 2,344 exhibitors from 51 countries. This figure was up from 49 countries and 2,267 exhibitors in the prior year. In addition to Germany, the largest delegations of visitors hailed from Italy, Austria, Switzerland, France and Great Britain.
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RETAIL SALES RECORD SURPRISE CHRISTMAS SLUMP 06.02.12
Australian shoppers kept their cash in their pockets at Christmas in the latest sign that the national economy is cooling off.Retail sales posted a surprise 0.1 per cent fall in the crucial month of December, according to new figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.Analysts expected a 0.2 per cent rise for the month, but struggling retailers endured a softer-than-predicted end to the year, traditionally the most important period for the retail sector. Sales in November were revised up to a 0.1 per cent gain from the originally reported flat result.The weak Christmas result bolsters the case for a rate cut at tomorrow's RBA board meeting, adding to recent indications that the Australian economy is slowing down.
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NOMINATIONS CLOSING FOR SRF INDUSTRY AWARDS 05.02.12
Nominations are now closing for the 2012 Surf Industry Awards presented by the Surf Retailers Federation. SRF are calling for final nominations for RETAIL, BRAND and PRODUCT nominees in the following categories;
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US CORE SHOP SALES GROW 9.1% 05.02.12
According to the 2011 ActionWatch annual report, US retailers that were able to ride out the worst of the recession finally had a pretty good year in 2011. Sales were up 9% for all product categories tracked, and all major product categories had positive growth compared to 2010. Footwear saw the largest sales gain due largely to the massive growth seen in women’s closed-toe shoes. Both skate and surf hardgoods (the largest hardgoods categories tracked) enjoyed higher sales revenue in 2011 compared to the prior year, although surf performed better than skate by this measure. This was largely due to the higher price points of the growing SUP class of surfboards. The best-selling class within skate hardgoods was also its highest priced class, but long complete skateboards still sell for a fraction of the price of SUP surfboards.
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PATAGONIA LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR POSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT 05.02.12
Patagonia has become one of California’s first “Benefit Corporations,” which gives the company’s directors legal protection to consider social and environmental benefits over financial returns. This new legal status was designed to embed goals into companies’ missions that go beyond profitability but ensure they are legally shielded from civil suits by shareholders. Benefit Corporations are legally required to:
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