Snowboarding Consumer Research Study Released Today Causes Ripple Effects among Youth Markets

Snowboarding Consumer Research Study Released Today Causes Ripple Effects among Youth Markets

May 23, 02005—Fresh research results within the largest consumer study ever conducted comparing those who ride with those who most want to learn to ride across North America, have caused a ripple effect in youth markets based on revealing information about new trends and apparent market opportunities in and around the lifestyle of snowboarding and action sports in general.

The Snowboarding Consumer Research Study 2005, released today, was conducted from April 1-May 5, 2005, with thousands of participants between the ages of 13-25-years-old from 49 different regions including 4 Canadian Provinces. Label Networks, producers of the study, are widely known for their global youth marketing intelligence and research in action sports—from North America, Europe, Japan, and China—as well as their consumer research in music, fashion, and technology. By creating the most in-depth consumer study that captures data from young snowboarders and those just on the outside fringes who want to learn, youth brand leaders, agencies, and designers in snowboarding and related lifestyles now have the authentic, consumer perspective necessary for growing their businesses in the future.

Some sample results include:

Change in Perceptions: While it is believed that the main reason people don’t snowboard is because of the expense of the sport, one discovery is that while price is factor, it’s not necessarily the main deterrent among 13-25-year-olds. Main factors are access issues, education of how to get started and what to do, and having someone to go with.

Marketplace Changes + Potential: New market trends inside the Snowboard Study illustrate where the greatest potential lies, such as specific aspects of the women’s marketplace, male and female perceptions to outwear, i.e., performance-fabrics vs. fashion appeal, hardgoods potential based on what’s taking shape in bindings, and the gradual age-increase of those who shop in Specialty Boardsports Stores and why this is.

Resort Insight: Through a series of questions about where young people ride, why, and what they consider their dream resort, it’s very telling just what the youth market considers important and cool. In addition, questions posed to those who want to learn to ride shed insight into pricing perceptions of wannabe snowboarders, what they would be willing to pay, and what resorts could do to attract new demographics of young snowboarders and skiers.

Among the topics included in the Snowboard Consumer Research Study 2005 are:

• Demographic Profiles: Snowboarders vs. Non-Snowboarders (but would most like to learn)

• Projected growth opportunities—inside snowboarding + outside influences

• Where they shop and why and what they plan on getting

• Where they find out about new brands and styles

• Brand influences, spending patterns, influences

• Favorite brands, hard-soft goods, accessories, and why

• Resort questions: Favorite, travel, spending, influences

• Favorite websites, magazines, events, music, video gaming

• Sports camp questions

• Snowboard Participation Patterns and Profiles

• Lifestyle traits of snowboarders vs. non-snowboarders

• Apparel preferences outside of snowboarding—Denim, T-shirts, Shorts

• Internet preferences, habits, communication patterns, IM-ing

• Where the greatest challenges lie: dying markets; new markets

• The ripple effect of youth lifestyle on snowboarding

• Future concerns from snowboarders vs. non-snowboarders

• Attitudes, opinions, psychodemographics of snowboarders vs. non-snowboarders and potential snowboarders

• Ideas + Solutions for increasing growth

Overall, for brands, agencies, designers, and industry leaders looking to maximize their strategies as they pertain to the youth culture marketplace and snowboarding, the Snowboard Consumer Research Study 2005 provides a vital resource for gaining insights based on the freshest quantitative and qualitative research available. Introductory rate is $995USD. For more information about the Snowboard Study, research methodology, or to obtain an introductory subscription, please contact Label Networks at info@labelnetworks.com; (310) 745-3005; fax: (310) 270-5029; Label Networks, Inc., 6230 Wilshire Blvd. #72, Los Angeles, CA90048.

Stay tuned for Label Networks’ Skateboard Consumer Research Study 2005 regarding the state of the skateboarding industry, market growth, and future forecasting.

About Label Networks:

Label Networks, Inc. is a leading global youth culture marketing intelligence and research company covering the most trendsetting subcultures in the world. Label was launched in 2000 to bridge the gap between companies trying to access the youth marketplace and the lack of useful, authentic research about the fast-changing landscape. Label created new methods to gain constantly fresh quantitative and qualitative data about the marketplace accurately and quickly with a combination of remote data-acquisition and analysis systems, and a credible team of global Youth Culture Experts. Together, Label measures, reports, and consults with brands, agencies, and media about pinpoint consumer preferences gathered from face-to-face interviews and online from the heart of opinionated youth environments. Global Youth Culture Consumer Studies include North America, Europe, Japan, China, and European Boardsports Retailer Study; Clients: Nike, Vans Warped Tour, Wizards of the Coast, Vans, Burton, Oakley, Harley-Davidson, American Legacy-The Truth, Footlocker, Fox Sports Network, Levi’s, Quiksilver Europe, Billabong Europe, DC Shoes, Xbox, Ford, Dodge, LG, Samsung, Motorola, Creative Artists Agency. Contact: Label Networks, Inc., 6230 Wilshire Blvd. #72, Los Angeles, CA 90048; (310) 745-3005; mailto:youthculture@labelnetworks.com; www.labelnetworks.com.