Eicma 2011: Why Motorcycle stores should be carrying more jackets not selling from brochures.

Armadillo Jackets

This is something every store should carry. It's unique, it promotes safety, and dealers make money selling it. That's the simple truth. We have a product that consumers love to wear and it features some of the most advance tech available including D30. Never heard of it? http://www.ArmadilloScooterwear.com

Check out the new 2011 Lineup in stock now and available from your local Armadillo USA Dealer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJCgZ_xgrIk

First off it features D30 and its the only scooter jacket to have this stuff. Check out this video link to see how cool the material is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2nIAxfYnCE

more: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5_n6bOuXkY

Is it Toxic? What is D30? More info here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTaVgLp9b2E

Check out the video link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Grq2NzI9nNI

Most stores we sell to don't carry accessories or clothing. This is a huge mistake, its the fastest growing segment of the industry and it keeps many stores in business. Take a look below at the info on this. Now is this just another item to have in the store? Nope its "The Item" for repeat clients. We make it easy for you to become an Armadillo dealer be it a Moped, Motorcycle, Scooter, or bicycle shop check out the reasons why you should carry Armadillo Scooter Wear.

Buy Back Program for Dealers: We also have a 2010 buyback agreement, if you place a stocking order and at the end of the year you want to exchange pieces, we will exchange up to 50% of the inventory without any charge for items you can sell. The only jacket company doing this right now is Armadillo. So if you think you can sell it we will exchange half of it risk free for product you do sell that way you can stock the whole line. If interested in being a dealer make sure to email us ASAP so we can get you set up.

Why I love Armadillo: If you're a motorcyclist, scooterist, or even a bike rider, Armadillo is for you. Let me tell you I wear my hoodie even when I'm not riding. I wear it on my bike as well not just on a motorized vehicle, but I have come to learn when riding my speeder or bmx I tend to do things that could cost me an elbow or two. Knowing I have something that protects me from the elements and has the D30 tech inside makes me feel a lot safer when riding my bicycle.

How does Armadillo help the dealers sell the product? Click here to see some of our POP Displays and Info: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-etQNklxoA

The company is growing and listens to its clients: Doesn't matter if you're a man or a woman, the gear has been designed by scooter riders for scooter riders. It's a British brand. I've met the owners out in England and I can say they listen, they care about riders, and being that the company is really 2 years old they have are continuously updating, upgrading, and making sure its not only stylish but protects the rider.

New Cordura Abrasion Resistant Materials in Armadillo: One of the things I like to point out is that the first wave of Armadillo didn't feature denier Cordura® abrasion resistant materials. They had the D30 down, but starting in late 2009 all the new production featured the Cordura® on the inside. The trick here was to make it so that the outside material ( especially for women ) was both attractive and stylish without making it too hard to touch. Whenever I'm in a store the first thing I do is look at the jackets and then I feel them. If you have ever touched a jacket with the abrasion resistant material on the outside you know what I mean. It's terrible you don't want to touch it unless its leather. This way Armadillo found a way to keep it stylish so you can wear it to work or around the office, but also soft to touch. So the material is now there, but you don't see it unless you are in an actual emergency. You can read about it on the site as well.

What is D30? D30 http://www.d30.com Under slow rates of movement, the d3o™ CE certified (EN1621-1) pads provides maximum comfort through softness and flexibility, but when impacted at high speeds d3o™ displays excellent shock absorption as the Intelligent Molecules inside lock together, spreading the force over the whole pad. d3o™ completely conforms to your body and remains almost invisible within your garment, but provides excellent shock absorption when you need it. Other Materials being used in Armadillo: - Obviously the marketing of the brand has been about the D30. The D30 is an amazing material and I love the fact that its made in England so that other companies don't copy it. That's why the Armadillo jackets had to be developed there so they would put the D30 material in the jacket after the got the first prototypes, that's one of the best stories I've heard. So no D30 isn't made in other countries because you don't want people to steal the formula for it. Now besides D40 Armadillo has other materials not all of them are in every product but its great to see the extent of the development of the line since they now feature new items including Cordura which I mentioned, Cadimite (the generic term for Kevlar material), 3M guard, 3M Reflective piping iron ons and in the Camo jacket, Nylon Taslon, Nylon, Fleece linings, and more. The company is evolving as it designs the new products and this innovation is what I like to see. Check each jacket for a list of materials on the main Armadillo site http://www.Armadilloscooterwear.com

WARRANTY ON ARMADILLO

2 Year Guarantee:This is for normal wear and tear. Having an original receipt from an Armadillo USA dealer you have a 2 year Guarantee. The Armadillo range of apparel has been designed to suit all riders and climates, from Vespa enthusiasts to city commuters every garment made carries this warranty. http://www.ArmadilloScooterwear.com

For USA dealers you can contact us at http://www.mrp-speed.com

VIDEOS:

D30 in the jacket

EGG TEST http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuTsXpbLfRU

D30 on your iphone http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNRuscxgQ1Y&feature=related

The entire Armadillo lineup is currently in stock visit us at http://www.mrp-speed.com

Some of our jackets explained:

Armadillo Softshell hoodie explanation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0YyS9mVznA

Mens Mac http://www.youtube.com/user/Armadilloscooterwear#p/a/u/2/vWhR2Ixf_4g

Womens Mac http://www.youtube.com/user/Armadilloscooterwear#p/u/4/O5adZkAuPic

WHACK YOU ON THE HEAD WITH D30

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VDeJ7rLUYU

HOW IT WORKS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYmYyVLbApE&feature=player_embedded

SELLING ARMADILLO WORKS

Merchandising can help you stay ahead of the curve using your number one asset - The Store Itself.

Scooter Apparel is the fastest selling segment of the industry. The truth is Armadillo right now is the ONLY Scooter Wear brand available that doesn’t bypass the dealer and sell direct to the public. Armadillo doesn’t own a US store, we don’t send catalogs to consumers, and we don’t bypass the dealers. We send everyone to dealer shop or website. That’s the simple truth. We want our dealers to make money and to come back and sell more.

When I look at the numbers of all the stores that failed in 2009 the number one thing that jumps out is accessories.

The average US store doesn't merchandise properly.

One reason stores like Best Buy do so well is because they are able to tap into that instant gratification we all seek out. There is nothing worse than going into a motorcycle or scooter store and falling in love with a helmet or jacket to watch someone say "oh we can order that from the internet," if I ever have someone say that to me I would probably just "yeah I can do that to with my Smart Phone." The idea that motorcycle shops no longer carry anything is insane and that's why we have to get away from the Just In Time mentality because as it applies to accessories it kills the small dealer.

I hear this every single day with clothing like Armadillo, which you have to try on. Just like going into the store is an experience, trying on a jacket is an experience. Without any product what does the shop facilitate? Armadillo is one of the best products any small shop should have. I understand not every store can afford to have every size in stock, but only have one or two isn't going to work when you have clothing lines with ten to twelve designs. Same applies here. You should at least have one of each model to do a decent job at selling the brand.

Sad to say there are few stores that like to have a specialist that knows how to do this properly and I have this talk with shop owners all the time. You don't have to pay a million dollars to a consultant to make your scooter shop feel as cool as the Ferrari or Ducati dealer down the street, you just have to think like a consumer for 10 mins. What is it I see when I walk in? I always get the excuse that the store isn't meant to compete online or meant to compete with the bigger shop. This is the biggest mistake small shop owners make everyday.

The truth is you have to look at the fact that in today's world you are competing with everyone from Target to Pep Boys. So having accessories and jackets ( like Armadillo ) can make your shop stand apart from the other shop down the street. You never get a second chance to make a first impression." Many factors play into the shopping experience, but the design of a store is often the first thing that draws customers inside.

If you display jackets and a variety of helmets ( not just an empty catalog ) you are giving the customer the experience they are looking for. You have to first think about the entance, pathway to the counter, Store design/layout, Mannequin presentation and checkout counter. By nature American scooters stores tend to be run by men and they often overlook the needs of the fastest rising buyer "Women" that's right guys, most of you absolutely are terrible at stocking stuff for women. Here at MRP we now offer the Armadillo Scooter Wear line and there are lots of things you can have for the ladies to try on, including gloves, shirts, and jackets