BSI lands top Italian job

Sports retail company Beyond Sportswear International (BSI) has secured the Australasian distribution rights to leading European brand North Sails.

Hailing from Rapallo in Italy, the label occupied the same space as the Gant, Nautica, Helly Hansen or Tommy Hilfiger labels, confirmed Andrew Scawen, the consultant appointed to market the range. With a European heritage spanning 60 years, it catered primarily to the mid-to-upper-end menswear market but also offered a small womenswear component, he said.

"Although the market is reasonably well catered for with established international brands, there is also a strong demand from both independents and smaller multiple stores that are looking for something exciting, different, and that offers great quality and margin."

The collection - which comprises 60 to 70 styles including shirts, T-shirts, polos, rugby shirts, knits, shorts and jackets - featured a high technical component as well as fashionability, he said. "The European make is a factor which also cannot be ignored." With T-shirts priced from $50, polos from $90 and swim shorts at $80 to $100, it offered quality and attainable price points, he said.

"Colours for winter include chocolate and charcoal with purple highlights, as well as staples such as marine blue, navy, red and chalk white. Patched and embroidered rugby shirts offer a contemporary 'preppy' feel that is instantly modern and highly commercial."

As the owner of established Melbourne menswear boutique Mitchell McCabe, Scawen said he was well placed to market the collection. "The advantage of me being on the same side of the counter as potential stockists will certainly give the brand an edge in gaining a foothold in the marketplace."

BSI managing director Gary March confirmed the listed group had signed to distribute the brand for the next three years, before reviewing the agreement.

"We have the chance to work closely with the Italians and so bring in European ranges straight away, giving our stockists the chance to get Italian ranges and styling with shorter lead times [than those] normally offered by local importers making offshore."

North Sails will make its official Australian debut at trade fair Fashion Exposed from September 14 to 16, where it will showcase its latest summer collection. The autumn 2009 range will begin showing by private appointment shortly afterwards.

By Belinda Smart