Feedback from Golf Europe 2006, Munich

After the best Ryder Cup year since our sponsorship began in 1987, Golf Europe 2006 in Munich could not have come at a better time for us. We were able to carry forward the momentum from the K Club into the ongoing launch of our Spring Summer 2007 range.

The commercial success we enjoyed in Ireland was very rewarding. We worked hard this year to create the most comprehensive sales and marketing programme that Glenmuir has ever run, and the enthusiasm of consumers at the K Club and all over Ireland helped make Ryder Cup 2006 a great success for Glenmuir.

Footfall on the stand in Munich was good, and the quality of visitors excellent. Glenmuir is enjoying its best ever pre-book orders for the new spring 07 collection. Our Ryder Cup success is one of several key factors that have come together at an important time for the development of our business across Europe.

The Spring Summer Collection for 2007 is even stronger than our last two seasonal offerings, with colour stories, design and new luxury and performance fabrics all offering a very attractive proposition for our retail customers and consumers alike. We are seeing a re-invigorated enthusiasm for quality apparel showing itself in the trade, and we intend to do our best to meet this change with new products and styling over the coming seasons.

A positive attitude amongst consumers around Europe bodes well for a more upbeat season ahead, with people more willing to invest in quality branded products, as long as the quality and styling are right.

The Munich show also continues to bring excellent contacts in the emerging markets of Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean, areas where we have achieved good sales growth over the last few seasons. We intend to further capitalize on that penetration.

By Andy Bough.