At Outdoor Retailer, we asked Von Zipper’s Greg Tomlinson for a company update.
He answered some questions for us about how business is going, why Von Zipper is moving into outdoor and what’s new on the product front.
Von Zipper sales rose in the high single digits for the six months ended Dec. 31, according to parent company Billabong.
How is business?
A Von Zipper face mask
Good. We are excited because even though it’s not 2007 anymore, we have been on a steady increase. Not only has our business increased, but at key points of sale, it seems like our market share has increased in those key doors. Accounts are now going deeper and wider with us. It’s a good time for eyewear. The sun is always shining somewhere.
How is Outdoor Retailer for you?
This is our first real OR show. We were here back in August (with other Billabong-owned brands), but this speaks to a customer base we are actively pursuing for our winter market. It has given us an opportunity to meet new accounts that we haven’t been speaking to in the past at our endemic show base. It’s a broader outreach for us and so far we have been really excited about new prospects that have come through and even written a few orders. People come here to do business.
What are you most excited about this year?
For 2012, I’m excited about the prospects of another year and the relationships and partnerships that come along with it…both refining relationships we have had, and also looking forward to new ones we’ve started.
The El Kabong goggle
The good news is with our business, Von Zipper fits in a lot of places so we think there’s a wealth of opportunity for us. Between OR and Vision Expo East, and from outdoor to optical boutiques, 2012 is going to be a big year for us.
What’s new product-wise?
We launched Dot Dash, a new brand that’s basically fast fashion eyewear.
We have six new eyewear frames, a whole new collection of apparel and accessories, and we are displaying a ton of new snow goggles for the show.
More Von Zipper gogglesOne of our goggles we are really excited about is a rimless goggle. Called “El Kabong” (Red goggle), it helps with visual acuity, but also has a presto change-lens system, where you can change the lenses more easily.
We are also excited about our Shift into Neutral Series of frames that come in goggles and eyewear.
For Shift Into Neutral, we are using recycled thermopolyurethane and face foam from bamboo as well as a strap that is as eco friendly as you can find in a goggle. We love mother nature.
Lastly, we just released the Ether Collection – technical frames with rubber nose pads and temple tips. They’re designed for everything from a squat thrust to MMA to just being you in a parking lot. They are lighter weight frames developed with sport in mind…flexible and durable. Those just came out in stores.
