VOL 17 ISS 157 £3.50 sportsSPORTS OUTDOORS TRIATHLON RUNNINGinsight FITNESS TRADE sports-insight.co.uk INTERVIEW ANALYSIS OUTDOOR STEPPING INTO THE START UPS STARING DOWN FITNESS INDUSTRY P22 GALORE P9 THE BEAST P20 GOLA page man_SPORTS INSIGHT 11/03/2020 14:07 Page 1 3 OSCAR FLORES LEFT AND YAMILA ADELCADER WELCOME Isbjörn of Sweden FROM SALGADO WITH BERNARD to this month's Sports Insight reduces E-Commerce returns by fi fty per cent With the help of an AI incorrect sizes. Isbjörn’s new Chatbot named Bernard, friend Bernard now plays a crucial truly sustainable children’s part in the company’s commitment clothing brand Isbjörn of to reducing returns, waste and Sweden has managed to reduce energy. its web returns by 50 per cent CEO Maria Frykman said: “For since October 2019. Bernard Isbjörn as a brand, it is essential we was originally developed by are able to o er a truly sustainable It’s a worrying time for social media agency Salgado and solution even in our own web retailers. If times weren’t Facebook, choosing Isbjörn as a shop. Reducing the number of hard enough the coronavirus pilot for the unique AI robot. returns has been one of the goals COVID-19 will, no doubt, Bernard has successfully we set ourselves early on, but the have a major impact on the guided customers through question was just how? Now we’ve industry. various sizes and garments, done it with creative help from our The threat of the virus making the decision-making talented Swedish partner Salgado, has already led to Nike and process straightforward and located in Uppsala, who has a keen Patagonia, in the US, and more accurate, hence minimizing interest in AI. The next step is for open up our web shop for the “It’s exciting to also congratulate Columbia, in Europe, to close unnecessary returns. Not trying Isbjörn to develop Bernard to also fi rst time in the US. By providing the team behind Bernard - Oscar stores to help prevent its spread. on clothing prior to buying online cover our international markets, this fun yet clear solution to our Flores and Yamila Abdelcader from We have already seen major has been a major problem for by letting Bernard attend a crash consumers, we will signifi cantly Salgado - for the nomination of our sporting events being cancelled, consumers, with many ordering course in English. reduce freight and inventory Chatbot Bernard for Gold M of the postponed or suspended. The several di erent sizes of the same “Our International expansion handling, which is a huge bonus for Year in the Digital Solution of the fi nal weekend of the Six Nations garment and then returning the continues this May when we will the environment. Year category.” saw no games played, elite football in England has been suspended until April 3, at the Editor: MARK HAYHURST least, the 2020 Virgin Money Tel: 01206 508618 London Marathon has been FESPA 2020 events postponed Email: [email protected] postponed until October 4, and Euro 2020 has been put back to In light of the rapidly Based on feedback from with the primary objective of Advertising Manager: 2021. evolving situation exhibitors, FESPA will now safeguarding the health and KEITH MARSHALL With the postponement of regarding COVID-19 in seek to reschedule the events wellbeing of exhibitors and Tel: 01206 505947 the 2020 London, Brighton mainland Europe, and in for a later date, precise timing visitors. Email: [email protected] and Manchester Marathons, close dialogue with its and venue still to be determined “However, in light of the Advertising Sales the media coverage which puts national Associations and based on venue availability. recent spread of the virus in 21-23 Phoenix Court, Hawkins Rd, running at the forefront of exhibitors, FESPA has taken FESPA CEO Neil Felton specifi c areas of mainland Colchester, Essex CO2 8JY customers’ minds at this time the decision to postpone said: “Our actions with regard Europe, we have consulted of year has disappeared. If you FESPA Global Print Expo to COVID-19 – including the with our stakeholders and have Group Advertising want to get your message out 2020, European Sign Expo pre-emptive action taken in concluded that it is in the best Manager: SAM REUBIN please contact us on 01206 2020 and Sportswear Pro February regarding exhibiting interests of our community to Publisher: MATTHEW TUDOR 505947 or keith@sports-insight. 2020, originally scheduled companies from China – have defer the events to a later date.” co.uk to see how we can help. to take place at IFEMA been informed by guidance FESPA will provide an update Art Director: LEE WHITEFORD I hope you enjoy reading this from the relevant international regarding revised event dates in Madrid from March 24-27, MS TYPESETTING AND DESIGN issue! 2020. and national authorities, due course. Photography: CLIQQ PHOTOGRAPHY www.cliqq.co.uk Warwickshire unveil new bamboo mix material for playing shirts Twitter: @CliQQphoto Accounts: SUE CARR Warwickshire County Cricket have previously talked about In addition to the playing Tel: 01206 505903 Club has agreed a new three- our ambitions to be the most shirts and sweaters, the replica year O cial Kit Supplier sustainable cricket club and venue shirts will be made from the Published by Maze Media (2000) partnership with PlayerLayer, in the country and working with same bamboo material. Limited, 21-23 Phoenix Court, which will see both of its PlayerLayer to create our new Roderick Bradley, Co- Hawkins Rd, Colchester, Essex limited overs playing kits bamboo kits takes us a step closer Founder and Marketing CO2 8JY made from a more sustainable to this goal. Director, said: “We believe All contents © Maze Media (2000) Limited. The views expressed in material derived from bamboo. “As part of the development, that sport can drive change this magazine are not necessarily In a fi rst for professional cricket, several members of our playing and this is a perfect example. those of the publisher. Every e ort the material used in the shirts and polyester, with the full designs and squad have tested the material to Warwickshire CCC have a is made to ensure the veracity and integrity of the companies, persons, sweaters worn by Warwickshire new sponsors set to be unveiled highlight its capabilities in a high- global reach and will show how products and services mentioned in in the Royal London Cup and closer to the 2020 season. performance environment, with all cricket can send a message far this publication and details given are believed to be accurate at the by Birmingham Bears in the Ben Seifas, Commercial subsequent feedback confi rming beyond sport. This project is time of going to press. However, no Vitality Blast will contain a 50 per Partnerships Manager at that it is a very comfortable and just the start of things to come responsibility or liability whatsoever can be accepted for any consequence cent bamboo charcoal mix with Warwickshire CCC, said: “We durable material.” with our partnership.” or repercussion of responding to any information or advice given or inferred. No part of this publication may be copied, broadcast, interpreted, or stored, in any form, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH for any purpose, without the written permission of the publisher. e offi cial publication of the Sporting Goods Industry Association Sports Insight has a current ABC certifi ed circulation of 5,281 (audit period July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017). The Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) is an independent audit watchdog that verifi es magazines’ circulation fi gures, providing accurate and comparable data for advertisers. ABC Certifi cation demonstrates a media owner’s integrity, in their willingness to be audited and to conform to industry standards. UK/ROW subscription: £25/£42.50 for one year (10 issues). www.sports-insight.co.uk All the very latest in the NEWS sports industry... FIBO COLOGNE Sir Alastair Cook launches POSTPONED Gray-Nicolls Legacy Programme TO SECOND Internationally-renowned every individual player that cricket bat manufacturer scores an international century Gray-Nicolls has launched a will be able to nominate a school HALF OF THE new initiative to help make to receive £250 worth of Gray- their business become more Nicolls cricket kit. YEAR environmentally sustainable. Cook said: “It’s amazing to The Gray-Nicolls Tree Legacy be involved with the launch FIBO, the world's largest Programme will see a new of this campaign. It’s growing trade show for fi tness, willow tree planted for every willow for a game I’ve always wellness and health, international century scored played, for a brand I’ve always planned to be held in by a Gray-Nicolls ambassador, used, so I’m very excited about April in Cologne, has been with a further tree of any species it. As we become more aware postponed to the second planted locally to o -set the loss of the need to look after the half of the year due to the of the willow when harvested for planet, sustainability initiatives developments concerning bats in around 20 years’ time. like this one are going to be Covid-19. The Tree Legacy Programme absolutely crucial.” Silke Frank, Portfolio began on February 21, 2020, Nick Wilton, Brand Manager Director, FIBO Global when former England captain of Gray-Nicolls, added: “We Fitness Events, said: and Gray-Nicolls legend are really excited to launch “This is not a decision Sir Alastair Cook visited this latest initiative as Gray- Programme will be equally by Gray-Nicolls players – we have taken lightly; Robertsbridge – the home of the Nicolls moves towards a more impactful as we look to improve Dom Sibley and Aaron Finch our customers, partners brand – to plant 33 willow trees – sustainable future.