F2 2023/24 Snowboards Preview

Retail Buyers Guide: Snowboard‘s 2023/24 Retail Buyer‘s Guide
Brand: F2
Interviewee: N/A

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 last snowboard season went very well for us. Both from a sporting point of view, Our athletes, Stefan Baumeister, Ramona Hofmeister, Ester Ledecka, Vic Wild and others were able to win a number of victories and medals. And we were also able to achieve good results in terms of sales figures. The following points have had a positive effect here:
– a good price-performance ratio of our products
– greater pent-up demand on the market
– Made in Germany & sustainability, attract customers

Everyone has been affected by raw materials and shipping price increases and transport issues. Have you had to make any significant changes with regards to manufacturing, sourcing, or logistics? Are there any examples you can share of how your business pivoted effectively? Any positive developments with regards to these issues and the changes you’ve made?
The transport costs have not increased noticeably for us, since we produce regionally Made in Germany.

Commodity prices have increased between 5% – 17% depending on the material. Our in-house energy costs are almost zero thanks to our own solar system (200kw/h) and block power plant.

After two years of heavy carry over in the industry and more of a return to normalcy last season, what’s your overall sales and production/inventory strategy for 23/24?
We maintain contact with shops and dealers all year round with our sales representatives. Summer and winter!

We also continue to focus on being present at trade fairs!
This year we are almost alone as a snowboard dealer at the ISPO trade fair in Munich.

Do you anticipate any shifts in the ratio of e-commerce sales vs. brick-and-mortar sales now that most Covid-19 restrictions are gone?
YES! snowboarders are buying more and more online.

Are you using any new materials in your hardware for 23/24? If so, what and why? We’re interested in anything new in inserts / edges / cores / sidewalls / glue / resin/ wood types / base material / top sheet / etc. here.
We use a new material, “recycled carbon” in our F2 TX carbon board models.

What product range or offerings are you focusing on the most for 23/24 and what aspects of the market are getting the most interest?
– Freeride
– Junior
– Alpin- / Raceboards

Are you placing any focus on entry-level products? If so, why and how does this compare to previous years? What is your assessment of the youth market?
Beginners, newbies and kids have always been important to us.

Pricewise, which area of the market do you cater to?
What developments are you seeing with regards to product pricing?
Our price range extends from the entry-level Kids Board (199€) to the professional Raceboard Proto (1399€).

What are your top product marketing stories for next season?
Our most important focal points are sustainability and “made in Germany”.