With a declining economy skateboarding as an industry has seen this before. With two seperate balloons I can think of Skaters have gone underground to skate and progess while mainstream america did it’s thing oh and surfing became the mainstream thing to do. Seems under the new iundustry leaders the word is consolidate! Seems funny the name is a skate brand but it is very fitting that they have been a forefront mover towards “Core” shops and spots and moving the industry out of the malls and shopping centers. The malls have taken the “core” aspect out of the sport and made it a seperate issue: If a skater buys gear at the mall are they really getting knowledege? Or just the flavor of the week for spiffs on commissions? Its funny to me when someone asks for an old school deck? Old? man I rode that when I first started skating! I guess that’s why the mgr from our local mall shop came in to talk with me the other day? Hmmmm, I think knowledge speaks for itself, and so does corporate funding! Money always wins guys!! It’s a shame but parents could care less about the place they buy a product, they just want a bargain, even if it is not the right thing for your kid? Guess that’s why almost all new skaters come to us? Anyway, movers and shakers tend to make the market when its down, and I think you will see alot more changes than these upcoming postings in the near future!

Newest Industry moves:

• BURTON has just acquired Alien Workshop and Habitat skateboards, He owned Channel Islands now for the past few months.
• Baker skateboards will be leaving Blitz distribution to start out with their own distro to include a new Baker skate company named Deathwish. Looks like they will be pulling a few big name pros to round out the all-star team.
• Flip is moving from Blitz as well to go with NHS who already has big names like Santa Cruz, Independent, and Creature. That looks like a great fit for both companies involved. Marketing is closely related and focused at similiar age groups.
• Reportedly Reynolds wants to help push his band of pros up and coming ams and such and make a major marketing push for upcoming years. The timeframe is a bit sketchy but that should reportedly happen over tyhe next year or so. My guess is under current slow down in the industry it may happen sooner than later.
• It looks like Blitz may be a thing of the past???????? Time will tell.
• The new Black Box spring 2008 line up is out and it is UNREAL! Bordz just can’t get this gear in here sooon enough. The graphics and products offered are just inane!
• The Fallen team is away shooting the upcoming DVD release from them. Tommy A has reportedly been asked to go Full Pro and drop schooling for the year to make it. Let’s see what he does.
• The new Baker graphics are kiler as well with the exception of the x-rated leo deck coming out. I’m just not sure how many shops can sell that graphic. If you see thecatalog you will know what I mean. Also new gear from Flip looks better than usual with the new all over prints making a huge statement this spring season.

That’s it for now, I’ll drop more info later, meanwhile check out:

NOW GO SKATE!