PLUM Splitboarding 2024/25 Preview

Retail Buyers Guide: Splitboarding 2024/25 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: Plum
Interviewee: Jeremy DEYA, Sales manager

How would you describe the current state of the snowboard market? What big developments, changes, challenges, and/or opportunities are you seeing and how is your brand navigating them?
The marketplace is crowded, and shops have a lot of stock due to the knock-on effect of Covid. There is growing interest in the hardboots market, even though softboots still account for the majority of sales, but there is now a strong interest in this type of equipment among insiders.

Following overall price increase, any positive developments with regards to manufacturing, sourcing, or logistics and the changes you’ve made? Are there any examples you can share of how your business pivoted effectively? What developments are you seeing with regards to product pricing?
As far as prices are concerned, we wanted to limit the increase and decided to include some of the accessories with our bindings (crampons slots are delivered with the bindings). Improving the reliability of our range of bindings has been a priority for our designers these last few years. We are working on the development of specific heel risers for our hardboots products, in order to offer our customers a more suitable and ergonomic product.

Is e-commerce sales still strong since most brands have been put a lot of effort in physical retail?
Yes, e-commerce is still going strong, even if of course we have to rely on physical core shops to ensure a portion of sales and a good service.

After last winter and the lack of snow in Europe, what’s your overall sales and production/inventory strategy for 24/25?
For sure we will carry over most of the product range for 24/25, to avoid selling products with significant discounts and try to clean our inventory as much as possible to be back in the game in 25/26 with innovations.

Does your brand have any new developments concerning sustainability and/or how you are positioning any environmental messaging?
We definitely want to reinforce the repairability of our equipments, proposing all the spare parts necessary to fix the bindings, which the priority when it comes to sustainability. For the rest, we will stick to our DNA and philosophy of producing locally in France (Chamonix valley) and try to find new opportunities.

What are your top product marketing stories for next season?
The new hardboots heel riser system.

SPLITBOARD SPECIFIC

What about new board construction, innovation, or shape trends? Any big advancements in functionality? Skinning, transitions, etc, as well as riding? Any specific effort on ranges for 24/25? If yes, where and why?
New tip and tail hook system compatible with Voile inserts, it holds the board very efficiently.

Are you using any new materials in your splitboard for 24/25? If so, what, and why? We’re interested in anything new in inserts / edges / cores / sidewalls / glue / resin/ wood types / base material, top sheet here.
No

Any new design or pattern approaches in your 24/25 gear? Any collabs on the line?
No.

SPLITBOARD BINDINGS SPECIFIC

Have you made any new innovations in buckles, straps, highbacks, bases baseplates, heelcups, etc.?
The line will remain the same, offering bindings for all kind of splitboarders. New WOR (walk or ride system) sold in accessories. New heel risers system for hardboots. New bracket system, more minimalist style, 100% made in our factory, less lateral play on way up, better control of your skis.

Are you using any new materials in your bindings for 24/25? If so, what, and why?
No

SPLITBOARD ACCESSOIRES

Skins, Poles, Crampons, anything new and outstanding in your proposal?
Heel risers hardboots

What are your three biggest European markets for splitboard accessories?
Rep 2023-24 : Germany, France, Switzerland.

Pricewise, which area of the market do you cater to?
Premium products, price positioning is pretty high.

What developments are you seeing with regards to product pricing?
When you pay the price for a PLUM gear, you pay the price for the product quality but also the service and the repairability that go along with it.

Key products

Prems board:
The most versatile board of our line. A classic shape (twin tip and slightly pin tail), woodcore construction (ash tree and poplar). Coming in 4 height, 150/156/160 and 164cm, hand made in France.

Prems board

Eterlou bindings yellow or red limited edition (softboots):
The best seller in our binding’s assortment. Plastic injected high-back offering a soft feeling, 750g per foot (without the interface weight), this binding is the best compromise for the splitboarder looking for an efficient binding when climbing uphill, and cool riding feelings on the way down. Coming in three sizes: S, M and L

Eterlou bindings yellow or red limited edition

SOK bindings (hardboots):
The binding made for hardbooters! Ideal for riders looking for more performance, better hold and lightness. Extremely versatile with options like the Pekye, skiers will have to watch their back on the uphill. 290g per foot (without interface weight).

SOK bindings (hardboots)