A revolutionary online brand and product retail staff training platform actionsportsready.com launched today with leading industry apparel brand Hurley. Action Sports Ready is designed to significantly improve the brand and product knowledge of retail staff and increase sales throughout the entire Action Sports industry. From September Quiksilver, Global Surf Industries, Electric Visual, Sanuk footwear, Aerial7 headphones, Skull Candy and DC Shoes will join the ASR. ASR aims is to have one site containing all Action Sports industry brand and product training, presented as focused and entertaining modules which maximise the knowledge and confidence of retail staff. On completing each training module retail staff are provided with brand endorsements in the form of qualifying certificates. The training results will also help suppliers better understand the needs of retail staff and assist in future training requirements.

Jon Laurenson of ASR said, “The introduction of Action Sports Ready is exactly what the industry needs to bounce back and move to the next level. We have spent a great deal of time, money and energy researching and developing our product to meet the brand and product education gaps of the entire industry.

“We know brand suppliers are always trying to educate retail staff on their products but without any tangible way of measuring the results. We also know that store owners and their staff are always looking for time-efficient, entertaining ways to learn about all the products in store. We have created a highly effective training option that measures results through the use of simple quizzes and assessment: cost and time effective for both suppliers and retailers. For it to work for everyone we need the industry’s full support this summer. We are really excited and appreciative to have the support of Hurley as a marquee brand launching our product.”

Actionsportsready.com launched with Hurley on 15 August, focusing on their Phantom board shorts, Hurley bikinis and men’s tee shirt collection. As an incentive to retailers to use ASR, Hurley is offering a chance to win a trip for two to the US Open.

Jason Haynes from Hurley said, “A large part of Hurley is focused on innovation, from our products to the way we work with our customers and communicate with our consumers. We see Action Sports Ready as an innovative platform to enhance the knowledge of retail staff and provide opportunities to potential job seekers. With the additional information on key products, selling points and improving their brand knowledge we believe it will be another step in assisting staff to reach their targets.”

Action Sports Ready is being widely supported by the industry with ASB Magazine, Coastal Watch and Surfing Australia pledging their support to this new program.

“It’s rare we find a partner whose goals closely match our own - to support every independent surf retailer everywhere,” said ASB Publisher Keith Curtain.