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[mr_wickets]

I was looking for some new football boots this morning and thought I'd check if there were any cricket bargains to be had when I saw this: http://www.jjbsports.com/newbery-gt-5-star-cricket-bat-851402
http://www.jjbsports.com/newbery-tour-batting-glove-rh-854191
http://www.jjbsports.com/newbery-tour-batting-legguard-857079

I never thought I'd see the day when a brand like newbery were being sold there!

[RightArmRapid]

  http://www.sportsdirect.com/mongoose-cor3-premium-cricket-bat-851383?colcode=85138391  and mongoose too? They appear to be expanding. Bargains to be had! edit: just noticed GM players bat http://www.sportsdirect.com/gunn-and-moore-icon-dxm-jonathan-trott-player-edition-cricket-bat-851360

[uknsaunders]

newbery that is a first. Puma were in JJB, picked up the contract perhaps?

[Alvaro]

It may be over stock due to not selling via their usual avenues this summer.

[Ayrtek Cricket]

I know sports direct are looking to improve the brands they stock in the cricket area to give them a more premium approach.

[Ciaran]

I suppose this is an example of a premium approach

http://www.sportsdirect.com/ayrtek-a.c.i.s-premier-helmet-855002?colcode=85500222

[Ayrtek Cricket]

They approached us and expressed an interest to stock the helmets on a trial basis, tough decision from us as a brand if to give it ago or not but as the UK's largest sports retailer its not everyday they knock at your door

[Ciaran]

I wouldnt have it down as a tough choice mate. Its good exposure to your average cricketer who shops there, potentially leading to a google search of the brand and some sales of your softs and things. Makes sense to me mate!

[RightArmRapid]

Almost every cricketer at my club got their helmet from either sports direct or romida, with ayrtek stocked there, you have a great chance of selling a ton of helmets especially to those in areas like Liverpool where there are no nearby cricket shops at all so the only place to shop for your equipment (excluding online) is from retailers such as sports direct.

[Manormanic]

yeah I can't really see how that is such a hard choice either, seems pretty straightforward to me.

[ItsJustCricket]

yeah I can't really see how that is such a hard choice either, seems pretty straightforward to me.

It's a tough decision because although it pleases your average consumer, it upsets the specialist stockists, like us, who got there before Sports Direct, and are, ultimately, more likely to remain loyal to the brand.  I am sure that every other cricket shop that stocks Ayrtek will have been upset by the decision, much like they are with the Newbery thing (which I don't actually believe is true)...

[procricket]

Yes but surely sports direct buying power will make them cheaper than the smaller stockiest surely

[ItsJustCricket]

I'll just say there's a reason you'll never see the likes of Salix, M&H, BoomBoom, Willostix, Chase etc. in Sports Direct...

[thecord]

I think as long as the big retailer isn't massively undercutting the independents, which they aren't in this case, then it shouldn't be an issue

[ItsJustCricket]

I think as long as the big retailer isn't massively undercutting the independents, which they aren't in this case, then it shouldn't be an issue

I agree to an extent, and you're right, at this moment in time they're not massively undercutting us, but as soon as they do a sale/discount, we can't even think about competing with them...