In reply to mrteale:
I’d like to say I am in no way affiliated with Duco whatsoever, but I found this post interesting and so just had a little deeper look at some easy fairly to access online information.
So, to answer your first question, Duco appears to a brand new company setup by a 27 year old entrepreneur (and his friend), who has a nice array of business awards and does a bit of motivational speaking, including a tedx. I’d note that the business seems similar to the Rapha model, albeit I know very little about Rapha really, and not that much about cycling in general. For those that didn’t check the link; Duco don’t appear to make anything yet but the focus seems only on the branded clothing, with a good looking website, an ethical approach and a ‘members’ club for focussed marketing.
In response to your second question, which can only be based on my opinion as I have no input in the GB climbing team either, I assume said entrepreneur spotted an opportunity and offered the right amount of money. In my mind the question to consider is what is the right amount of money, and why do established brands not see the value in that at this time? The Olympics will put a spotlight on climbing like never before, but nobody knows the impact of that and I guess established brands won’t take the risk.
Again for full disclosure, I was involved with a climbing brand, I am no longer involved but their success remains of great interest to me and I made many great friends whilst with the company and working within the industry. In light of this my viewpoint is somewhat skewed but I would raise the issue of profitability and that if you look at a climbing branded hoodie, you’ll pay about £45 for the most basic, then look at an entry level harness, you’ll pay maybe £50 (think of all the development, testing, materials, sizing, stitching, sewing, advertising, stockholding, in store promotion... and I should also mention that it's somewhat imperative for staying alive whilst climbing!). My point being; if this entrepreneur can set up a clothing brand, with tiny development costs, huge margins on the products, direct sales via ‘club access’ and is willing to risk capital in gaining (possibly enormous) exposure via the climbing team and the Olympics then it is a sign of where opportunities lie within the industry in some ways.
So I guess to answer your third question; established brands just cannot take the risk of investing in the Olympics when they already have stretched annual marketing budgets and tight margins. Think of all the little events these brands become involved in, the advertising on websites and other publications, discounts to retailers (which they invariably pass on to customers, in fairness), the underpaid athletes, free t-shirts. Sorry, I rant.
Hopefully all that gibberish answered your fourth question, at least in part, or will invoke further responses from others. In conclusion, I have nothing against Ducolife, a person taking this kind of venture is in many ways great to see. I would not expect them to get many sales from the regular UKC visitors, nor would they, I expect. But, in my opinion, what the people who read this should do is try and support the established brands, and shops, in the UK as much as possible. And hopefully these brands will also benefit from the increased exposure the Olympics, and competition climbing in general, so that they can continue to keep producing incredible gear and keep us climbing.
Sorry, that was quite long, and please don’t expect such lengthy responses, if (m)any, in future
P.s. I had to Google dulcolax. Touché on the reference, although I agree with ripper that it is likely to be a niche knowledge area!
Post edited at 12:12
