p10,11,12 Trade talk 7/17/08 11:51 AM Page 12
TRADE TALK - Sports Retail
SGB
Sports and Outdoor
www.sgb-sports.com
done to one’s feet and body by
conventional footwear. Like our world,
the MBT anti-shoe is round, not flat.
Telling me that Man is slowly
destroying his body (perish the
thought!) I am informed that the shoes
in which we walk are not designed to
resist the damaging impact of the flat
hard surfaces on our bodies. A curved
sole and a patented Masai Sensor
recreates the effects of naturally
walking barefoot. But is this for sports
shops? Significantly physiotherapists at
Wasps, Harlequins and others highly
recommend and the notion that it is an
ideal training tool for improved
performance, enhanced recovery and
the prevention and rehabilitation of
injuries, would seem to suggest a
membrane) plates, which absorb and then disperse resounding ‘yes’. This has certainly
moisture so keeping legs comfortable and dry. And who been a day of percentage quoting and
am I to argue? the MBT Research says that muscle
activity is increased, whilst standing, by
Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to consider an impressive 38% in the lower limbs,
stocking an ‘anti-shoe’, the contradiction if ever there was 37% in the rear thigh, and no less than
one, of the mainstay of my business and possibly in 28% in the buttocks, so maybe it will
contravention of the trade description act, for the pay not to be left behind. Ooooops!
dictionary clearly states that the shoe is ‘an outer covering
of leather or other material for the foot esp. one not Surely not! Over the loudspeaker
covering the ankle…' But here I was on the MBT stand comes the announcement that the
being encouraged to try on one of a number of ‘anti- exhibition is closing in 20 minutes, at
shoes’ which I was assured combat the everyday damage four o'clock instead of five o'clock. My
plans to check out
Nike, Reebok, Speedo, Reydon, Hi-Tec, distance from which it is dangerous to stray and to keep
Fitness Mad (sounds just up my street) the batteries well charged as we tread, however
and many others, (sorry Martin, just unwillingly, on a possibly rocky road. Anti-shoes may help
couldn’t make it!) will have to go by the but at the end of the road, it has to be our attitude, our
board. There is just time to say a hello determination and our optimism that will win the day. .
to Josu Shephard whose Jakabel range
goes from strength to strength. PS: K-Swiss, so strong in the tennis footwear market, were
Endorsed by the Royal Life Saving showing their new range of running shoes. Very
Society and equally importantly worn impressive and with what could well be a first, they offer a
with pride by children whose own change of insole depending on whether the wearer is
concerns for safety are not always to training or competing. I cannot do justice to the
the fore, the Swimsafe Floatsuit collection in such little space, but I can divulge that SGB
incorporates buoyancy panels and a will be running a feature on the new shoes and K-Swiss
neck ring to keep the wearer’s head very soon! At this stage, they appear to have a winner on
above the water. And among an array their hands and potential stockists, a winner on their
of funky pool toys and games on offer I customer’s feet too.
was particularly intrigued by a ‘lost me
– find me’ device which monitors the
wearer up to 40 metres and sends an
‘alert’ signal if the child strays beyond a
Jack welcomes your comments and is always glad to
set distance.
discuss your ideas, problems and concerns, either
person to person, or in print.
Let's hope that we all stay afloat during
If there is anyone you would like him to meet or any
these somewhat difficult days, alert to
product to write about please contact
what is going on, and aware not simply The Editor or Jack (writeawayjack@aol.com).
of the dangers around us but of the
His articles do not necessarily reflect the views of
real opportunities that may be hiding
the publishers and are not ‘advertorials’. They are
round the corner. It is more important
not seen prior to publication by any person or firm to
than ever not to wander off, like Josu's
whom they may refer.
'lost me – find me', and to set a safe
12 JULY 2008
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