Megan Storm and Brien Teasley have joined the North American merchandising team at Marmot. Storm was formerly a merchandiser with G.I. Joes, and J. Jill apparel. Teasley was with several outdoor stores, including Neptunes and Marmot Mountain Works, as well as Abercrombie & Fitch and J. Crew apparel.
Noting the increase of vendor merchandising efforts in the outdoor industry, Roanne Miller, Marmots Director of Business Development, commented, “We welcome these new companies to the merchandising effort. Customers have changed: they expect more. Retailers can no longer rely on convenience, selection and service. They must create an environment that enhances value for the shopper. Lifestyle and aspiration must surround every product. The more each vendor contributes to this effort, the better the outdoor industry will be able to compete in our over-retailed, mall-dominated marketplace.”
Established 7 years ago, Marmot fields the longest-standing continuous merchandising service team in the outdoor industry with five full-time merchandisers in North America. This team implements effective visual product displays, places the array of Marmot custom fixtures and signage, assists sales reps in seasonal presentations, distributes POP materials, and reviews inventory and reorder issues with the 70 U.S. and Canadian Marmot lodge dealers. Merchandisers have placed nearly 1 million dollars of Marmot fixtures in North American retail stores, all at no cost to the dealer. Marmot merchandisers now also service Ex Officio accounts in the Marmot lodges in the same manner.
Working in collaboration with the Marmot team, K2 Inc. has a separate team of 65 part-time and full-time merchandisers focused on larger format stores, restocking and checking inventory and placing POP materials. All teams report back to appropriate sales managers and design departments regarding trends, issues and ideas. Miller said, “Weve created a North American circle of information, where vendors are talking to retailers and retailers are talking to vendors. The result is a keener eye on the customer and a faster response to market trends by both the vendor and retailer.”
