Yunika Boards 2022/23 Snowboards Preview

Retail Buyers Guide: Snowboards 2022/23 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: Yunika
Interviewee: Jean Marie Thil, Owner

Everyone has been affected by impacts from Covid-19 in one way or another. Have you had to change manufacturing or sourcing processes and can you explain any good examples of how your business has pivoted effectively?
Thankfully for us, the manufacturing and sourcing didn’t change for us since we have a “3 years carry over” collection so we were on time with deliveries to stores and customers. However, for next season, we will have to order sooner than ever because of all the different regions of the world being in lock down at different time of the year created a massive back-order and if the retail business wants its products in due time, it will be very early ordering for the 22-23 Season unfortunately.

Carry-over was a hot topic for 21/22 boards. Where did your brand sit on the matter and has this changed for 22/23?
Following on our previous comment, carry over is a thing of our actual living in Yunika’s collection from day 1 so it won’t change for next year either.

The bricks and mortar model is changing rapidly. How are you working with retailers and your ecommerce channel to ensure as little conflict as possible?
We are encouraging customers to buy products in store in order to keep a good base of core shop offering insight on products as well as giving the opportunity to customers to touch and feel the product-still.
Our prices are matching the ones in store and therefore there isn’t a battle on “where can find the cheapest deal possible?” from a customer point of view.

What’s your company doing to improve its carbon footprint/eco consciousness?
We are always searching for new manufacturing methods and raw materials which impacts less than the existing ones in order to improve our eco-superiority and lower our carbon footprint. That being said, it is often an arm wrestling winning on one side and loosing on the other. The balance isn’t as easy as we may think in order to offer the same quality and durability to fellow customers-for the same or near price.

Are you using any new materials in your hardware for 22/23? If so, what, and why? We’re interested in anything new in inserts / edges / cores / sidewalls / glue / resin/ wood types / base material etc here.
Same as last year.

What about shapes? Anything new for 22/23? Does anything remain unexplored, or are there still advances to be made in shaping specifically?
We introduced 2 new shapes in addition of our latest collection and those ones are more than fresh and exciting to try this year since the “more than crap” winter we all had last year…
Get out there and try it guys!

What new items do you have that are specifically aimed at entry level? Has this increased/decreased due to COVID-19? Please also mention anything new that’ll be aimed at the youth market.
Nothing there.

Eve

Prices: Which area of the market do you primarily cater to, price-wise? Have you revisited this after the uncertainty of this past winter?
This might be the second biggest and hottest topic of them all after manufactures and suppliers shipping issues (due to back orders) – constant shipping rate increase- in the last 15-18 months it went up to 300% higher than before in some regions of the world.
Until when can we bare the extra shipping cost from increasing our products’ bottom line penalizing the end consumer to pay more for the same product- and – is it going to stay as a new normal forever?

Please tell us about the dominant visual themes in your 22/23 gear, including any interesting artist collabs you have lined up.
Same as last year, we have some full-on visuals as well as lighter ones in order to please the crowd in general. All of our products are made by artists from all-around the world delivering a very unique look combined with the best wood finish product in the industry.

Park? Freeride? All-mountain? where will your primary focus be in 22/23, and how much has that changed since 21/22?
We have a bit of everything since we started Yunika in order to satisfy whatever might be your poison of choice. We focused in this collection on Powder and All-around boards. Powder specific shape for the LEAF and an all mountain / carving series with the Chief, the Totem and last but not least, the EVE which is a true twin freestyle inspired construction, ideal for the rider who wants to up his game in the backcountry and around.

Best Sellers/Hero products
The Leaf:
Classic shape, high quality materials and innovative technology, all in a board that promises you to float even in the freshest snow. Extraordinary floatation and unparalleled maneuverability thanks to the more voluminous shape and a larger surface. The Sintered base, resistant to even the most violent impacts, promises long durability, while the edging finishes made with ceramic disc technology guarantee precision and resistance.

Leaf

The Totem:
Built around a ‘state-of-the-art’ technology and meticulous materials selection.
A mid-stiff flex, centered stance and a true twin shape combined with a blunt nose shape will make you fall in love right away. Designed for all around ability slashing pillows, charging down slopes, flatland tricks and freeriding all over the place. Edging made with ceramic disc technology for greater edge symmetry.

Totem

The Chief:
A board ideal for backcountry riders and for those who like to go from cooler powder to jumps in the park. A set of high-quality materials and cutting-edge technology in a product designed to perform on any type of terrain. The medium-stiff flex, combined with the Underfoot Power Plate, ensure improved resistance to shocks and impacts. Edging made with ceramic disc technology for greater edge symmetry.

Chief