Moonstone Mountain Equipment has opened its 200th “door,” marking a five-fold increase since Pacific Trail, Inc. acquired the brand in 2001.
“This is an important milestone for us,” said Hoby Douglass, vice president of sales. “Since 2001, a dedicated team of product designers and sales professionals has worked very hard to develop a solid product line and to provide first class customer service. We actively solicit feedback from our retailers and utilize this during our design process. Retailers are a key part of our team and we are dedicated to helping them build their business. We are proud of our brand's heritage and remain very committed to the outdoor specialty channel.”
Moonstone's management team has taken a number of steps to increase the brand's visibility with key retailers including: the utilization of new sourcing for enhanced efficiency and quality; the establishment of a product design review board whose members include a selection of the nation's top climbers and athletes; and a retail advisory panel which ensures that products are right for the marketplace.
“This year, retailers report that sell-through has exceeded their expectations, and in-season re-orders have played a big part in that momentum,” continued Douglass. “We differentiate ourselves through tightly managed distribution to which retailers have responded very favorably.”
“No one can touch Moonstone's heritage,” said Mike Fowler, vice president of operations at Uncle Dan's in Chicago. “The brand has always stood for core performance that is intuitively designed, simple and elegant, and very attractive to the end user. The new management team has successfully built upon the brand's history and offered us a line that provides a strong addition to our inventory.”
“Moonstone has stepped up to the plate in the retailer service category,” said Hanes Boren, owner of Footsloggers in Boone, N.C. “The company has the systems in place to respond to any problems that arise. That shows an enormous commitment to customer service, and one that is not seen often in this channel.”
