Nike Golf reported last week that retailers have
"purchased its entire allocation of newly revamped" Tiger
Woods footwear and apparel lines, according to Sandra Dolbow
of GOLFWEEK, who calls the report a "clear indication that
the effort to change the line ... is a good fit." Nike Golf
Business Dir David Hagler: "For us, a sell-out is good.
It's a way to build demand." Hagler "expects" that the
Woods fall/holiday collection "will sell out as well" and
said that the company "plans to sell only to select shops,
such as better green-grass and off-course stores and
resorts." Hagler "attributes the sell-out to the product
itself," which has been "restyled to reflect Woods'
sophisticated, rather than sporty, side." Edwin Watts Golf
Shops' footwear buyer John Watts said Nike Golf's "previous
product was good in terms of quality and technology. The
problem was the look. It wasn't what the core golf customer
was buying." Watts: "This time, there's a huge difference.
It's still technical and performs, but no one wouldn't wear
it." Dolbow notes that while buyers "appreciate the new
look, they say the lower price points" for the Woods line
"are significant." Hagler added the "perception around
Tiger is different from last year. He wasn't winning as
much then. Now, he's more approachable" (GOLFWEEK, 3/11).
SIGNINGS: Nike Golf has signed PGA Tour player Ed Fiori
to play the Nike Tour Accuracy ball and wear Nike footwear,
gloves and headwear. Nike Golf also signed Senior PGA Tour
player John Jacobs to play the Tour Accuracy ball and wear
Nike footwear and gloves (GOLFWEEK, 3/11 issue).
