Above: Classic Canes blackthorn in blossom, early May 2013. In about five years' time, these shoots will be walking sticks.
WHAT TO STOCK IN MAY 2013
This month's advice for Classic Canes stockists. Trade prices are not shown here, but are available to retailers upon request.
In the UK, we have two bank holidays this month, which hopefully will set the tills ringing as the public venture forth to enjoy themselves. The wedding season now begins in earnest, which means lots of ladies looking for the perfect cane to complete their new outfit, and battalions of grooms, ushers (groomsmen) and fathers-of-the-bride in search of formal chrome and silver topped canes. There are also many walking festivals underway, so make sure you have long sticks and trekking poles for the most active stick users, as well as a good selection of everyday, ladies' and folding canes for those in search of balance and support with style. Finally, what not introduce some brand new products to your range this spring; details are below of this month's new products.
CANES FOR SPRING WEDDINGS (LADIES)
Bright pinks and animal prints are our top tips for ladies' canes as wedding outfit accessories this spring:
4616J Petite folding cane, pink floral (left)
4652A Petite folding cane, snow leopard
4651B Petite extending cane, cheetah
4800B Handbag folding cane, pink, white & purple floral, with pink carrying case
4641K Fashion derby, pink, blue and white swirly
4641F Fashion derby, siberian tiger
4097G Tea Party derby, pink floral
4099K Chelsea extending cane, pink & white floral
4646A Fashion folding derby, cheetah
CANES FOR SPRING WEDDINGS (GENTS)
In our opinion, no man in formal morning dress is correctly attired without a cane. Whatever you are wearing, the value of a cane to lean on as a long champagne reception reaches its later stages cannot be over-emphasised. Give one each to all the wedding party.
4626 Chrome formal cap stick
3558 Chrome formal cap stick (left)
3815 Swarovski Elements giant crystal cane
3800 Silver plated swirl cap stick
1604T Tippling cane (phial capacity 50mls)
WALKING FESTIVALS
Walking festivals are increasingly popular and all visitors to your area intent on walking need a stick. Without a stick, you look at your feet as you walk on rough ground; with one, you can safely look up and around at the wonders of Nature. We recommend:
3562B Ash hiking staff
3563B Hazel hiking staff
4639 Folding trekking pole (left)
4641A Green extending trekking pole
TREND WATCH: SNAKESKIN
As ladies' walking sticks become ever more fashion-led, we must report burgeoning sales of our very fashionable new snakeskin print folding cane. It features an extremely chic black, silver and grey snakeskin pattern, the perfect match to this spring's reptilian handbags and shoes. The neutral colour scheme means it will combine well with both monochrome and more brightly coloured ensembles.
4646D Fashion folding derby, snakeskin (left)
NEW PRODUCTS
We have some very interesting new products arriving later around mid-May:
4639B Black folding trekking pole (left)
4639C Red folding trekking pole
4649 Black lace folding cane (very glam)
3715 leather seat stick with green umbrella
Please contact Charlotte at charlotte@classiccanes.co.uk for photographs and descriptions for your advertisements, websites and catalogues.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact us for specific advice on what to stock in your business just now. We will be delighted to advise you and, if required, analyse your current stock and produce suggested orders for your approval.
Charlotte Gillan
Managing Partner
1st May 2013
charlotte@classiccanes.co.uk