The Spalding footwear contract marks a new direction in the development of Newsport, an interesting company that has been acting until now mainly as a trader or re-seller of sports shoes. It has been fulfilling an important role in Italy, as outlined in our new market research report on this country, targeting the mass market and small independent retailers that the major brands don’t want to deal with directly. It has thus developed a unique network of about 1,200 sports and shoe shops that are looking for alternative brands to make the difference with the majors.
Newsport was born in Rovereto 10 years ago when Daniele Antonini, who runs the company, split from his younger brother Fabio. The latter is now running the family’s Sportland business through a separate company, 3A dei Fratelli Antonini, that is involved in many different activities. It is among other things Nike's official re-seller in Northern Italy.
Daniele Antonini worked originally with a German partner in the trading business, but that partner left in 2005 and now he is looking for a new strategic and financial partner to develop the branded and licensed business, focusing on the Italian market. While Newsport previously generated 75 percent of its sales abroad, this year Italy should represent more than half of its total sales, projected at around €35 million.
As a wholesaler, Newsport has been distributing among other products Head trekking and outdoor shoes, as well as the apparel lines of El Niño and Ocean Pacific, but its deal for OP with Mint Apparel has been suspended for a variety of reasons. It has also been acting as Italian distributor for a couple of footwear brands marketed by DR Shoes, Nanny State and Babycham. As indicated in another article in this issue, DR Shoes was the former distributor of Dunlop footwear in the U.K.
