Author: philbarnard

Brexit: what should I do now?

On By philbarnardIn Retail advice, ThoughtsLeave a comment

It’s been a busy time as the dust settles following the vote several weeks ago. What was considered by most as an unexpected result has had a big impact on the UK already – a new Prime minister, a new cabinet and a tumbling currency has left most most people scratching their heads as to what it all means.

Across the globe it has created endless news pieces, on thousands of TV channels as everyone recovers from the shock. Commentators in France, Germany, the USA, Hong Kong and China to mention but a few have all been hard at it, chewing the fat. Lots to talk about but no real understanding as to what happens next.

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Golf Market Update – July 2016

On By philbarnardIn Market updateLeave a comment

Time for another update. Anything new I hear you cry – well not on the face of it but here are a few tasty morsels.

According to Golf Datatech – the authority on golf retail numbers – the market year to date July 2016 is up – 2.9%. However this is not across the board and not in all channels.

Off course is fighting back and seems to have benefited from some smart retailing and poor weather earlier in the year. Up 10.6% in value YTD with much of the growth coming through apparel sales.

Has the Pro suffered?

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Golf Market Update – June 2016

On By philbarnardIn Market updateLeave a comment

Time flies when you are having fun! I really am not sure where the time goes, but more than half the year has flashed past and its time I put some more market stats together.

Back in January when I was staring in to the crystal ball I tried to put some thoughts on the year ahead. I said that the year would be pretty dependent on the weather. That the football championships would create a decline in June figures and that hardware might get a bit of a boost. I also said that I expected to see a reaction from the Off course to grab back some of the share that it has lost last year. Six months on and I can say that I was pretty close on most points – so what has happened?

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Do you know your customer?

On By philbarnardIn Retail adviceLeave a comment

Phil - green 011

Earlier this year – as the rain was drowning much of the UK – lots of the European golf trade was making its annual pilgrimage to Orlando, to escape the winter weather and attend the PGA merchandising show. The Orange County Convention centre in central Florida hosts the world’s largest golf trade show. Around 60,000 attendees go to see hundreds of stands spread out over 10 miles of show floor. It’s a pretty impressive site.

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Market overview 2015

On By philbarnardIn Market updateLeave a comment

So how did the UK golf market perform in 2015? Here’s a quick overview…

For many it was up and down with various hits and misses across the product categories.

Overall it was positive with total sales up 2.3% – but before we break out the champagne lets look at things in a bit more detail. All categories except woods and outerwear experienced some growth. With the strongest category being Wedges up 9.1%

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Golf Market Update August – 2015

On By philbarnardIn Market update1 Comment

Following a busy 2015 season its now time to prepare for 2016. For much of the golf industry those preparations start with a trip to Harrogate for the GOLF TRADE SHOW. A great opportunity for retailers and suppliers to get together and discuss the season past and plan for a great 2016.

With that in mind I thought I should provide an up to date market overview with some perspectives of how 2015 has gone and what we can expect for 2016.

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