NEW BEDFORD, Mass., October 12, 2009 – AHEAD’s bookings for 2010 are up versus last year in both headwear and apparel. As golf professionals look to consolidate their vendors, AHEAD, with its full-line of headwear, apparel and accessories is leading the way as the products of choice in the golf shop.
Bookings Up Versus Last Year
The new apparel and headwear line is showing strong booking numbers for 2010. The company reports booking up versus previous year with the new performance polos and outerwear leading the way in apparel. AHEAD added apparel to its product line in 2004 and it instantly was a success in the golf shops. In headwear, top sellers are the performance caps highlighted by the Dri-Look™ caps along with traditional caps utilizing the new vintage label.
“We first started with AHEAD many years ago with their outerwear because of quality and price point,” said Jennifer Roddy, merchandise manager, Hyatt Lost Tree Resort, Lost Tree, Texas. “We immediately got on board when they introduced polos a few years back. Our customers have known the brand because of their headwear and come to expect great quality and value from the brand in apparel as well. We’ve been very successful with their performance wear because our customers want great quality at a great price.”
The new apparel line consists of high-performance fabrics, casual and contemporary styling all at a great value. There are new additions in the Eco-Friendly, Quick Dry Performance and Dri-Balance collections for men. Kate Lord offers a selection of performance fabric polos with matching bottoms all designed to keep her cool, dry and most importantly, comfortable on the course.
“The functionality of the line combined with the fashionable styles creates apparel any golfer would love to wear,” said Tina Schipper, senior buyer, Broadmoor Resort and Spa, Broadmoor, Colo. “The tradition of great quality is passed down from AHEAD’s headwear into both the Authentic men’s and Kate Lord women’s apparel and accessory lines.”
Stimulus Program A Success
AHEAD, knowing that it was going to be a tough year for its customers, introduced a Stimulus Program to help ease inventory levels. One of the key attractions of the program was quick turnaround on small embroider orders. This has allowed golf shops to turn their smaller inventory quicker and then enable them to replenish fast, keeping the shop looking fresh and fully stocked.
“The rave reviews of our Stimulus Program has been a direct result from buyers having a lot on their plate with less staff to help out,” said Jeff Waller, national sales director, AHEAD. “We are a one-stop solution for them, providing embroidered headwear, apparel and accessories with small minimums, quick turnaround time, topped off with the ‘best in the industry’ on pricing and terms. It has been a real win-win program.”
In today’s economic climate consumers are looking for a brand with value and AHEAD delivers on this and more. “People are looking for lower retail prices,” said Waller. “Headwear and accessories are doing well this year since their retail prices are at a comfort threshold of $25 and below. But we continue to see growth in our apparel line because we are below the typical ‘brand’ retail price without sacrificing styling, fabrication and quality.”
In 2010 AHEAD is positioned to once again lead the way in providing its customers outstanding products at an exceptional value combined with the industry’s best business practices. These core principles have made AHEAD one of the elite companies in the golf industry today.
AHEAD® is a designer and marketer of branded headwear, apparel and accessories. Headquartered in New Bedford, Mass., the company operates four distinct business units: the AHEAD® men’s apparel line; AHEAD® Headgear, AHEAD® “Heavy Metal™” line of golf accessories and the Kate Lord™ Collection of ladies hats, ladies apparel and ladies accessories. AHEAD is a supporting partner of PGA Golf Retirement Plus, a licensee of the USGA, PGA of America, PGA TOUR and the official headwear of the AJGA. For information on AHEAD, visit www.aheadweb.com.
Contact:
Jackie Beck, AHEAD Public Relations, 860.304.3643, jackiebeck00@hotmail.com
