| Typical advancement in product line of any industry (pick one) with flat growth are small, and nearly invisible. Finances dictate that it must be. But look over the span of 5-10 years and it is tremendous!
Product improvement is evolutionary, to find it, you must know what to look for. The structural engineering improvement in the materials found in skis, boots and bindings are incremental. The overall products are lighter, stronger and MORE flexible….not just formed into an hour glass shape. Look at the advanced ski-binding development…it started with the World Cup Racers and has emerged in to the retail stores with $1100-$1300 list price packages…for the advanced skier and eventually to the recreational skier. What better way for a skier then to walk into a shop and buy skis and boots where the binding assembly is already part of the ski? 10-minutes more to adjust the binding after fitting the boots and there out the door! The only loser is the ski shop looking for binding mounting revenue…
However, it appears that the average recreational consumer only sees the packaging, thinking that is the only change… |