Sugoi rolling out new retailer programs for 2003

Just in time for Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, Sugoi is launching a broad range of retailer programs that the company asserts will offer improved pricing, availability and delivery throughout the season.

Banking on the control and flexibility afforded by having in-house production, Sugoi has refined its in-season product repeat lists to ensure consistent and complete delivery of in-season orders. The program consists of Basics, bread-and-butter stock that will always be on the shelf, and Hot List, the strongest pre-booked fashion styles that will always be ready to ship with each week’s shipment bound for Europe.

Sugoi officials said they are hoping that this will mean even faster and more consistent delivery on in-season restocking and special orders benefiting the company’s retailer and, ultimately, the consumer.

In addition, and in response to numerous dealer requests, Sugoi’s fall 2003 program adds in-season discounting to the mix. What this means is that Sugoi’s guarantee of delivery timeliness will be backed up with discounts that last from the first pre-season order to the last repeat or special order.

“We feel that there isn’t an apparel supplier offering a better combination of product, availability and pricing in the business,” Charles Russell, sales manager for Sugoi, told SNEWS.

Sugoi will be primed to explain its full retailer program at booth 2345 during Outdoor Retailer.

SNEWS View: We’re going to be seeing much more of this kind of program in the weeks and months ahead as companies work harder to differentiate themselves from a very overcrowded playing field. Our SNEWS Retailer Survey, published this month in GearTrends The Book: Winter Outdoor, pointed out that what retailers care most about is accurate delivery, quality control, superior customer service and a product line that sells through. Doesn’t sound too unreasonable to us!