A new era for Arena in UK
Arena Group and Solo Sport UK Ltd are proud to announce that they have
signed a new partnership agreement which, by the beginning of 2008,
will assign to the English company the exclusive distribution of all
Arena products in the UK.
Established in 2001, Solo Sport UK Limited is a leading distributor
for sporting goods, already managing established and international
brands such as Prince. Thanks to its solid market position and its
structured and managerial approach, Solo Sport is the ideal partner for
Arena to pursue its global value strategy, and to heavily invest on the
British market as one of its major future development areas.
“We are really satisfied for this new partnership – says Luca
Squartini , Arena International Business Sales manager - UK is a
strategic market for Arena and we definitely work to invest to create a
valuable proposition to local consumers. That’s why it was so important
for us to select the right partner, with the right profile and
experience to properly manage such a potential brand, as well as to
create the right connections with local Clubs and Pools.”
In response Digby Gunson, Joint MD of Solo Sports, says ”We believe
Arena is a brand whose potential has not been fulfilled over the last
few years so we are excited by the opportunity to return the Brand to a
market position in the UK similar to that enjoyed in the rest of
Europe. The product innovations, Italian designs and overall quality
will form a credible challenge to existing brands in the UK market. We
are realistic with regards to current market circumstances and will not
be taking anything for granted.”
A further sign of Arena’s strong commitment in the UK is given by
the recently signed agreement with City of Edinburgh Swimming
Performance Center, hosting an international team of swimmers coached
by Fred Vergnoux (BSCTA Coach of the Year 2007), and including Kirsty
Balfour (World Championships 2007 Silver Medal 200mt Breast Stroke,
European Championship 2006 Gold Medal 200mt Breast Stroke), Kris
Gilchrist, (European Championship 2006 Bronze Medal 200mt Breast
Stroke) and Alena Popchanka (World Champion 200mt free style in
Barcelona 2003).
Arena
Arena, founded in 1973 as a spin-off from Adidas, through strong
market orientation and unquestionable flair for design, with product
innovation and the use of the most sophisticated technology, was able
to foresee the requirements of great swimming champions such as Matt
Biondi, Alex Popov, Franziska Van Almsick, Filippo Magnini,
Massimiliano Rosolino, Roland Schoemann, Ryk Neethling, Lazlo Cseh and
Laure Manadou, by transferring the experience of success and the
know-how gathered at competitions to products designed for all water
sports enthusiasts.
The Arena Group has managed, in the space of a few years, to gain a
position of consolidated leadership, obtaining second place in the
world and in Europe in the Sports-Waterwear category, with respective
value market shares of 12% and 16% (in Europe), and in 2005 reaching a
turnover (retail price value) in excess of 350 million euros, of which
about 40% generated in the Far East by the Descente Group.
Arena is present in more than 60 countries throughout the world.
Solo Sport UK Limited
Established in 2001 Solo Sports is a leading distributor of
sporting goods within the UK with a vision to deliver the optimum
results to our business partners based on experience and integrity.
Solo Sport has excellent connections with UK retailers. Our experienced
management and back office team manage a stable of leading brands
covering a wide range of sporting activities. The inherent flexibility
of the structure and its capacity ensure we have the capability to both
grow sales and deliver the level of service retailers and brand owners
demand....
SOLO SPORT UK LTD
Tollbar
Sedbergh
Cumbria
LA 105HA
Phone number
01539 622322
Contact Nikki Dodd …email nikki@solosport.co.uk…
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