The British Outdoor Industries Association has outlined its agenda for...

The British Outdoor Industries Association has outlined its agenda for 2010, focusing among other things on market research. After two years of putting out “Shaping the Future,” a report on consumers’ attitudes in the U.K., OIA will intensify its work on market intelligence during 2010. The group has recently set up a working group to take responsibility for this sector with the purpose of providing more regular consumer surveys. In addition, working with the Skillsmart Retail consultancy firm, OIA intends to raise the level of sales skills of the staffs in the shops. A pilot project is about to be launched by mid-February in selected members’ stores. Furthermore, the OIA will act as sponsor of the annual Innov_ex convention at Lancaster University on April 28. The leitmotiv of the trade event will be “Sustainability: Products, Processes and Activities.”