I am happy to report the Smitty Charcoal Grey Umpire Pants are back in stock in most sizes and styles, including Combo.In the Fall of 2008, I developed a memo and shared it with my staff on all the new trends expected for the 2009 baseball/softball season. So on it where things like silver and titanium umpire masks, charcoal grey umpire pants and 4 or 5 additional things. It wasn't rocket science. I'm sure many of you could have written such a memo being aware of at least a few of these from the top of your head.
But after giving them time to digest it, I also met with them on the subject as I wanted to make it clear to them that we fully gear ourselves for these trends in all facets of our business from marketing to purchasing to stocking. We certainly didn't want to miss out on these very important trends, and the upcoming year there just seemed to be more things brewing than usual.
How did we do? Well, mostly great, except the trend toward charcoal grey umpire pants was much stronger than we had expected. I mean we bought a boatload of charcoal grey pants; don't get me wrong. But we still ran out of some key sizes of the very popular Smitty Charcoal Grey Umpire Pants, especially the combo pants, around mid-May... and so did Smitty.
(I find that I am gritting my teeth as I type this as anyone who knows me well in this business knows that I don't like to run out of anything, especially key products, anytime during season.)
I honestly think part of the problem was that the new Smitty pants were very good and very well-received. If you read any review on our website or discussion about them on one of the discussion boards, this is obvious from umpires at all levels. Combine that with the fact that most umpires demand a high quality product but at the same time in this economy are looking for it a great price as well. And what you have is a high demand for the Smtty brand that offered an excellent alternative to competing, more expensive brands. So there... another good problem to have I suppose.
Well, anyway, they're back in and should be available for the fall as well. Order away if you need a pair or two.
7 comments:
Having been a retail Manager for 13 years. I can say without a doubt; the headache you are having on this issue is much better than the alternative. Yes you may have missed some sales, but you don't have inventory filling your warehouse that is not selling and you bought too much. I would rather sell out than take markdowns!
Keep up the good work...
BTW- I love the Smitty plate pants...just wish they were a bit more generous in the legs and seat. Just my $.02...
JR
Smitty would do better if they used material, or a process that allowed the pants to hold a crease.
any chance of offering the charcoal pants with NO PLEATS.....both plate and base styles?
Are charcoal umpire pants available in women's sizes ?
what is the difference between the plate and combo pants-they are the same!! when will they be sold as 2 different items?
We are working with Smitty on providing a women's pant for later Spring 2011. Any input for females out there are appreciated. A lot of body styles out there so hoping for a happy medium.
Have they ever developed a women's model for charcoal pants? We have been told that the AHSAA has decided to go to charcoal in softball as well as baseball. I am a size 6 in women's pants so wearing mens sizes isn't an option. Thanks for your help.
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