[Green Field Network 2015 ISPO Exclusive Report] ISPO SHANGHAI The 2015 Asia Outdoor & Sports Goods & Fashion Exhibition opened today atShanghai New International Expo Centrewith great fanfare. As the summer edition of the world’s largest sports exhibition, ISPO, in China, ISPO SHANGHAI covers a total area of 30,000 square meters, gatheringmore than 400brands, while further enhancingoutdoorsports strengths, it also brings together new summer categories such as extreme trends, urban fitness, water sports,travelservices, integrating exhibition displays, interactive experiences, competitions, exchanges, and forum sharing. At that time, well-knownoutdoor brandssuch as Mammut (Mammoth), FjRunningFitness brands such as LifeFitness, 2XU, LP, Skins, and Power Balance flocked to the event.
During the exhibition, Greenfield.com interviewedVis Products Manager Kaka, and the following is the full interview transcript.
Greenfield.com:We noticed that there are more products on the official Vis brand website than what we saw here,,so what are the main characteristics of the Chinese market??
Vis:In the Chinese market,, consumersThere is stilla certain level of superstitionregarding waterproof fabrics,,such asGORE-TEX being prioritized as the material of choice, whilethe range of activity types is relatively narrow,the overall consumer base is also quite small,and when divided among different activity categories, it becomes even smaller. We’ve found that most Chinese customers tend to prefer leather products, or those that use GORE-TEX technology and Vibram soles.
HowToTrip (Green Field)::What is the rationale behind Himalaya’s filtering of results??
Wei Si::On one hand, based on years of sales experience,,for example, the general foot shape of Chinese peopleis relativelywide,,on the other hand, there is a reasonable price range,,and finally, based on the category attributes of the products,,such as the current higher demand from consumers for multi-functional footwear,,In the U.S. market, however, more heavy-duty hiking boots are sold..
Green Field (Lvye) Network:Will heavy-duty shoes become popular in the Chinese market??
Wes:Sales have decreased quite a bit over the past two years.,The reason is that users' activity types have changed.,There are fewer and fewer people carrying big backpacks on 4-5 day hikes like a few years ago, while running and lightweight hiking are becoming more popular.
Green Field (Lvye) Network:Running has been really popular over the past two years, but we noticed that Wes didn't introduce any new running series in 2016. What's your take on this issue? What changes can we expect from Wes in the future?Running has become very popular, but we noticed that in 2016, Weis did not introduce any new running series. What’s your take on this issue? What changes can we expect from Weis in the future?
Wes:I can share a little news with everyone.,An athlete who previously worked with WesKrissy Moehl(the women’s champion of UTMB in 2009), has now rejoined Wes. The 2016 shoe models were transitional, so there weren’t many changes. But in the spring and summer of 2017, you’ll see a very different Wes trail running series.
Green Field (Lvye) Network:We’re really looking forward to it.,We’ve noticed that Wes launched many non-GTX shoe models in 2016, which are very lightweight. What are the standout features of these models?In 2016, many non-GTX shoe models were launched, which are very lightweight. What are the recommended highlights of such shoe models?
Vas:Inournewproducts,the Lone Appreciation Stone seriesuses UD waterproof fabric instead of GTX. The UD waterproof fabric has been in partnership with the Vas brand for many years, and consumers are familiar with this material. It is more than capable of handling diverse and harsh environments. In addition, based on changes in consumer activity types over the past two years, Vas has placed greater emphasis on footwear—more specifically, on shoes designed for single-day outdoor activities. Most of our newly launched models in 2016 also fall into this single-day outdoor category. These shoe styles offer excellent fit and lightweight comfort, and are able to handle various terrains and adverse weather conditions. That’s why we’ve introduced the new Lone Appreciation Stone series.
Green Field Outdoor Net:Could you recommend the shoe model you personally think is most worthwhile to buy,andcould you share the reasons for your recommendation??
Vas:I’d recommendthe one I use myself,the Ultra-SST. It’s a thick-soled trail running shoe that’s definitely worth buying. As for the reasons, over the past year I’ve run in many places, from north to south, both domestically and internationally, and I’ve also participated in some races. For example, I ran the 50-kilometer event at Beijing's TNF100,as well as the Vas Mountain Running Race in Hangzhou.These locations featured different environments and weather conditions. Before last year’s Vas Mountain Running Race, it rained, and the local stone-paved paths in Hangzhou were covered in moss, making them very slippery. During this year’s TNF100 in Beijing, there were significant elevation gains, including grassy areas and gravel paths through the woods. This shoe performed flawlessly. I also use it for regular urban runs. I have a knee injury, so I’m particularly conscious about knee protection. The cushioning performance of this shoe is excellent and has been very satisfying for me. Additionally, the Ultra-SST uses a BOA fast lacing system. I’m a bit lazy and really appreciate this kind of quick-lace system. So personally, I highly recommend this shoe.