Correction:
In a previous version of this story, the names of Doreen and David Hall were misspelled. This version has been corrected.
Another Action Sports Retailer Trade Expo has come and gone in San Diego, receiving a passing, albeit somewhat lukewarm, grade from local businesses.
Retailers from around the world that target skaters, surfers, snowboarders and the like with everything from new boards and wheels to flip-flops converged on the San Diego Convention Center this month with one thing in mind , selling more product.
San Juan Capistrano-based ASR Trade Expo puts on the show three times a year, twice in San Diego.
This month’s expo featured seminars, fashion shows, skateboarding demonstrations and contests, and roughly 500 exhibitors, 84 of which didn’t have to travel far because they have headquarters in San Diego County. Local attendees included Bruce Caslowitz, president of Carlsbad-based Cold Sports Distribution.
Caslowitz and his crew were there to promote Elan Snowboards. According to Caslowitz, the show was good and useful, but did not attract as many buyers as he had hoped.
“It was an OK show,” he said. “I think I’ve seen more retailer badges in the past, though.”
Cold Sports Distribution has been attending the show for the past three to four years, said Caslowitz, who appreciates having such a large show on home turf.
Todd Walker, marketing director for Encinitas-based Soda Sunglasses, also found the show valuable but lacking on the buyer front, particularly the domestic buyer front.
“It went pretty well, all in all,” Walker said. “There were a few buyers from out of the country that we only see at those shows so it’s important for us to get those orders in then. But as far as domestic business, it wasn’t all that stellar for us.”
Regardless, Walker said his company has already signed up for future ASR shows.
The next ASR Trade Show in San Diego has been scheduled for Jan. 25-27, again at the Convention Center.
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Major Purchase: San Diego-based franchiser PostalAnnex+ Inc. is preparing to pack on the pounds by acquiring a fellow franchising company in the business of shipping large freight.
PostalAnnex+ announced the acquisition of Florida-based franchise system Sunshine Pack & Ship USA Inc. on Sept. 6.
While both companies are experienced in the under 150-pound package market, only Sunshine accommodates shipping of 150- to 1,500-pound freight.
Financial terms of the acquisition deal between the two private companies have not been released.
With the addition of 21 Sunshine Pack & Ship stores, PostalAnnex+ now runs nearly 350 stores in 25 states. According to a company press release, there is little overlap between existing Postal Annex+ and Sunshine stores, and no immediate name changes will be made. “This will be our first experience operating a multi-brand franchise system,” said Patrick Edd, president and chief financial officer for PostalAnnex+. “They will be PostalAnnex+ franchisees, but we will own both names and will decide which name to use depending on proximity to other Sunshine locations.”
PostalAnnex+ was founded in San Diego in 1985 and continues to be run by founder and Chief Executive Officer Jack Lentz.
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Pushing Pilates: North County-based Pilates People will expand its retail muscle with the opening of its second location next month.
Husband-and-wife owners Doreen and David Hall opened Pilates People some four years ago in Carmel Valley, offering private, semiprivate and group classes. Their second location will be in the Torrey Hills Plaza at 4765 Carmel Mountain Road, Suite 202.
In addition to the usual Pilates classes, the new 2,200-square-foot location will feature a “non-sterile” physical therapy clinic, therapeutic massage and acupuncture services. It is set to open in mid-October.
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On The Food Front: Chula Vista sushi lovers are about to get another dining option now that Sushi House Restaurant has signed a $405,000, five-year lease with Canyon Plaza Shopping Center.
Owners Hui Yuan Ma and Cheuk Sun Wong have leased a 1,402-square-foot space in the center at 503-599 Telegraph Canyon Road, announced Gateway Property Management on Sept. 7.
In other dining news, Sequim, Wash.-based franchiser Dinners Done Right announced Sept. 1 that it is looking to expand into the San Diego market.
The concept involves patrons using a professionally equipped and fully stocked kitchen to prepare healthy, small and family-sized meals that can then be taken home and frozen for quick, healthy meal options. Company officials, who are also trying to expand in Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada and Oregon, are marketing the concept at www.dinnersdoneright.com.
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Canine Clientele: La Jolla-based Muttropolis, a boutique chain for doting pet owners, is set to hold a unique marketing event Saturday, Sept. 23 when it hosts a play date for more than 30 small and toy breed dogs and puppies at the company’s Solana Beach storefront.
The event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon at 227 S. Cedros. Attendees will be encouraged to shop the store’s collection of pet clothing, accessories, bedding and treats with a 10 percent discount offer.
Send retail news to Jessica Long at jlong@sdbj.com. She can also be reached at (858) 277-6359, ext. 3114.
