Developing new products and distribution channels and pursuing new businesses

「“Converse,” the basketball equipment brand, struggled amid intensifying competition, despite strengthening sales promotion through website improvements and other initiatives and increasing the number of teams adopting the brand.」

「The YouTube “ZETT BASEBALL Channel” also received strong viewer ratings, with subscribers exceeding 10,000.」

「While indoor sports such as basketball and badminton remained sluggish compared with the same period two years earlier, relative to outdoor sports such as baseball, softball and soccer, and recovery has been somewhat slower, table tennis products performed well as the company expanded new sales channels through the acquisition of a business.」

「We also advanced the web-based processing of orders from and to sports retailers, our main business partners, and were able to prevent a decline in sales while adjusting employee attendance.」

「We worked to expand the ZETT fan base by enhancing the YouTube “ZETT BASEBALL Channel,” which was launched during the period, and pursuing new advisory staff agreements with prominent athletes.」

「We worked to expand the ZETT fan base by launching the YouTube “ZETT BASEBALL Channel” and providing real-time information, including new product introductions and campaign announcements.」

「The designated management business also performed steadily, supported by events and other activities.」

「The licensing business also continued to perform steadily, while the designated management business remained steady as the company was selected as the designated manager of new sports facilities and other facilities.」

「Following the acquisition of the sports equipment business from シウラスポーツ用品㈱, the number of brands handled increased. The Lifestyle market performed well overall, with bags, footwear and outdoor products performing strongly, while the Body Care market also performed well amid growing health consciousness.」

「In the Lifestyle market, footwear such as casual shoes performed well due to an increase in the brands handled and other factors, while outdoor products remained steady.」

「The licensing business also continued to perform steadily, while the designated management business remained steady, including the company’s selection as the designated manager of Kajuku Sports Park in Echizen, Fukui Prefecture.」

「The Wholesale segment worked to expand its fan base by launching the “Prostatus Wind Order System,” a system for creating highly original teamwear, and enhancing the official ZETT Baseball Twitter account. In addition, in December 2017, the company opened “TIMBUK2 TOKYO” in Harajuku, Tokyo, as the flagship store for the casual bag brand “TIMBUK2,” working to raise brand awareness.」

「In addition, revenue declined because direct sales of the outdoor brand “Canadian East” changed from the company to ZETT CORPORATION starting in the current fiscal year.」

「The company also strengthened its initiatives in new businesses, including launching its licensing business during the fiscal year and being selected as one of the consortium companies to participate in the designated management of Kamigori Town Sports Centre in Akō District, Hyogo Prefecture.」

「Amid the continued contraction of the baseball and softball market, the company worked to expand its fan base by developing the “Neostatus” women’s hardball glove series, the “strongest model in the series’ history” for players seeking to become specialists, and the “Ground Mate” series for children in the lower grades of elementary school. In Converse basketball apparel, the company entered into an official uniform supply agreement with SeaHorses Mikawa, a team in the new professional basketball league B.League, and worked to raise brand awareness.」

「Although the baseball and softball equipment market continued to contract, at its exhibition for the following spring and summer season the company launched a limited-edition hardball glove and mitt under Prostatus, positioned as its top-tier brand and marking its 20th anniversary in 2017, and received positive reviews. It also launched a Prostatus 20th Anniversary Special Page on the ZETT Baseball official website, seeking to appeal strongly to users and enhance brand value.」

「In Converse basketball apparel, the company also launched “Quick Socks,” a third-function sock designed to enable rapid changes of direction, and received favourable reviews. In addition, bags under the Airwalk brand, which the company began handling in the previous fiscal year, performed well and contributed to higher revenue.」

「③Developing new products and distribution channels and pursuing new businesses」