provisioned The move into department stores marked the beginning of the company's evolution into a more sophisticated enterprise. As a result, Quiksilver's neon boardshorts were no longer the rage of the day, and the company began to suffer. Several years after their remarkably successful inaugural year of business, McKnight and Hakman found themselves surrounded by a wealth of new competitors, as start-up company after start-up company entered the active beach wear industry. During the mid-1990s, Quiksilver derived roughly 40 percent of total revenues from surf shops and nearly 45 percent from specialty shops. Exclusions and minimum order values may apply. Four years later, a turning point in Quiksilver's history occurred when McKnight took Quiksilver to the next plateau of the retail apparel business and began distributing Quiksilver merchandise to department stores. Shop the store for boardshorts, hats, and Roxy apparel for the whole family. If You Find a Lower Price, Well Match It. derailleur crossbar motus barnsley Specialists are available: We have cracks in our sidewalks and holes in our jeans. We flirt with fashion and defy sport, celebrating diversity and participation. montre aiguilles The maturation of the narrowly focused start-up company developed it into a multi-faceted corporation that reigned as a market leader during the 1990s. All Rights Reserved. Billabong began its long, amazing ride in 1973 on the Gold Coast of Australia. osculati demountable The influx of new competition created a contentious marketing environment for companies like Quiksilver, but McKnight and Hakman kept their operation lean, eschewing debt, and remained tightly focused on producing the type of merchandise that first launched them toward success. Women's sportswear became a key facet of Quiksilver's business following the company's November 1993 acquisition of The Raisin Company, Inc., a manufacturer of women's swimwear and sportswear. Terms of Use for this site, which prohibit commercial use of any information on this site. By the mid-1990s, Quiksilver was collecting more than 30 percent of its total annual revenues from its European operation, a definite contribution to the company's resurgence by the middle part of the decade. So always get back up. The foray into the retail mainstream began gradually and conservatively, manifesting two defining characteristics of Quicksilver's development during its first decade. Sales to department stores made up 40 percent of Quiksilver's $48.3 million in sales in 1988, and offered tangible evidence that the company had made commendable progress into the retail mainstream. Describing this period in the company's history, McKnight noted, "While everyone else was making swimwear, we were setting the standard for surfwear," an approach that would hold Quiksilver in good stead in the decades ahead. Frequently. Boy's Wetsuits>, UP TO 60% OFFShop Men |Shop Boys |Shop Women, GET FREE SHIPPING & RETURNS Join Now |Sign In. Get immediate answers to our most frequently asked questions. Hakman was the more accomplished surfer of the two, having won several international surfing championships, but McKnight shared an equal passion for the sport and its attendant lifestyle. To combat the recession, department stores reduced the amount of square footage devoted to selling young men's apparel among other things, which caused Quiksilver's sales to dip. Quiksilver is here to inspire people to seek new adventures. Once the sole source of revenue for the company, boardshorts by the late 1980s accounted for only 18 percent of total annual sales, while the balance was derived from a host of different apparel items. Exacerbating this development was the growing popularity of the "grunge" look during the early 1990s, a fashion style that embraced muted, earthy hues rather than the flashy, colorful styles that had predicated Quiksilver's popularity during the 1980s. First, a nationwide economic recession developed, sending many retailers reeling, particularly the large department stores that accounted for the bulk of Quiksilver's business. We know character comes through collision. quickcare quicksilver fuel care Fueled by this vast distribution system, annual sales leaped from the $48 million registered in 1989 to more than $70 million in 1989. By this point, when sales to department stores accounted for nearly 50 percent of total sales, some industry observers predicted that the company would become too big and low-price retailers would begin selling their merchandise, a development that would erode profitability and potentially tarnish the appeal of the Quiksilver name to the hard-core surfing set. Store hours may vary; please check with stores and restaurants directly for hours. Download the Retail Central by Irvine Company mobile app for access to Irvine Spectrum Center's merchant portal. "We've been successful," McKnight went on to explain, "because our philosophy has always been to bring the image off the beach and into the stores. McKnight and Hakman invested no money, but agreed to pay a royalty of one percent of sales for three years, which jumped to three percent after three years, and an additional one percent of sales to support international promotions. Additionally, there are restrictions on the use of coupon codes. It appears as natural on the shelves of a boutique as it does on those of a local skateshop. Initially, Warner was hired as head of sales, but he quickly proved to be a tremendous asset and seven months after joining the company was named chairman and chief executive officer of Quiksilver. McKnight and Hakman hoped to achieve commensurate success with the Quiksilver name in the United States, but neither of the two aspiring entrepreneurs thought of creating a beach wear apparel empire, particularly McKnight, whose business intentions were modest. This dedication has made Quiksilver a world standard.". T-shirts accounted for 15 percent of total sales, shirts 11 percent, pants 12 percent, fleece wear 9 percent, walking shorts 27 percent, jackets 4 percent, and surfing accessories another 4 percent. It all started with a single, humble pair of boardshorts and a crocheted bikini crafted on founder Gordon Merchants kitchen table. Born and raised in Pasadena, California, McKnight graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in business in 1976, the year he decided to move to Oahu, Hawaii, and spend his days surfing on the island's world renowned north shore. Quiksilver combines funtion, fit, art and fashion to develop boardshorts and clothing for mountain and ocean lovers across the globe. Today, Billabong is a leader in surf-inspired apparel and accessories for men and women with one simple mission: to inspire youth through progressive surf culture. As the 1980s progressed, Quiksilver became more than a business whose chief objective was to finance McKnight's surfing and partying at the beach. Sign up to be a VIP for a chance to win $5,000 just in time for back to school. "The Quiksilver logo, a cresting wave and snowcapped mountain, represents active sports and global excellence. From 1986 the company operated under the name Quiksilver, Inc. As Quiksilver intensified its involvement with department stores, eventually distributing its merchandise to retailers such as Macy's, Marshall Fields, Dayton Hudson, and the Dillard Group, McKnight decided to a bring in someone with greater experience in dealing with department stores. Always push. Exclusions Apply. Our heritage comes from the beach and the sport of surfing and extends out to include other lifestyles where the dictates for fashion and function come from active people with high standards. Browse the directories here: Offer(s) redeemable only throughRetail Therapy App. Quiksilver Waterman Join the VIP Shopper Club for free accessto exclusive VIP offers online. Inspired by the mountain and the wave since 1990, ROXY creates first-of-its-kind products that strike the balance between style, performance and femininity. We embrace a never-ending pursuit of getting out there and being somebody. In 1991, the company acquired Na Pali, S.A., the European licensee of the Quiksilver brand in Europe, and established a subsidiary headquartered in France to design and produce Quiksilver apparel for all countries in Western Europe. Aided by the addition of a strong European business, a return to the specialty and surf shops, and the expansion of its apparel lines, Quiksilver survived the recession and stood firmly positioned as a market leader by the mid-1990s. Despite his less than grandiose plans, McKnight soon found himself guiding the fortunes of a rapidly growing, flourishing enterprise. Transcending the boundaries of traditional action sports apparel, RVCA is a design-driven lifestyle brand free from passing trends. They decided to try to get the licensing rights for Quiksilver, a six year-old company based in Torquay, Australia, where it was founded by two surfers, Alan Greene and John Law. Source: International Directory of Company Histories, Vol. From the mountain and the wave to the streets, we infuse art with performance and performance with art, to create premium products and experiences for everyone out there who is like us restless for adventure. In July of 1987, McKnight hired John C. Warner, who at the time was senior vice-president and general merchandising manager of Macy's Department Stores' Denver operation. Quiksilver x Stranger Things The Echo Beach Elastic Waist, Quiksilver x Stranger Things Outsiders T-Shirt, Quiksilver x Stranger Things Hellfire Surf Club Hoodie, Quiksilver x Stranger Things Official Logo Hoodie, Quiksilver x Stranger Things Season Ender T-Shirt, {"pageTitle":"Store Locator","pageType":"StoreLocator"}, Not a Quiksilver Freedom Benefits member? McKnight, who spearheaded the business end of the venture, offered the specifics of the proposal to Greene and Law. Today, ROXY is a call to action to all women and dreamers to feel beautiful and strong in their own skin. Boardriders is a leading action sports and lifestyle company that designs, produces and distributes branded apparel, footwear and accessories for boardriders around the world. Monday-Friday from 6AM - 6PM PST In nine days, the 600 pairs of boardshorts were nowhere to be found on the shelves and racks of the three surf shops, having sold out with encouraging speed. 1-800-435-9917 Sales in 1987 amounted to $30 million and shot up the following year to $48.3 million, while earnings rose to $3.7 million. After building its department store business significantly during the latter half of the 1980s, the company had largely abandoned these retailers by the mid-1990s, deriving less than 15 percent of total sales from department stores. "I never thought the business would fail," McKnight remembered, "I just didn't expect it to get so big so quickly.". In 1988, the company introduced six skiwear designs, offering the same number of styles as it had 12 years earlier with boardshorts. Barron, Kelly, "Quiksilver Surfwear Explains Its Third-Quarter,", David, Gregory E., "Quiksilver: Don't Catch this Wave,", Nelson, Alexandra, "Sadeghi Exits Post at Quiksilver, Inc.,", "Quiksilver Earnings Up 10 Percent, Sales Jump 15 Percent in 2nd Quarter,". The company credo is built upon our premier brand, Quiksilver. Reflecting on his entry into the business world, McKnight explained, "I thought I could make a few shorts and stay near the beach and party." Join DICKS Text Alerts to Receive Special Offers! Our apparel and footwear brands represent a casual lifestyle for young-minded people who are inspired by a passion for outdoor action sports. We fall down. View our Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, Men's Hats Although Quiksilver produced a broad range of apparel items for several distinct types of customers during the mid-1990s, the company's chief focus has been setting fashion trends for surfers. Men's Tees A full-fledged corporation was in the making, propelling Quiksilver's growth forward at a substantially faster pace and engendering the attendant pitfalls of rapid growth. If you are using a screen reader and are having problems using this website, please call. It connects us to the streets we skate on, and to creative individuals around the world. Join now. California Privacy Rights & Free Shipping & Returns for Loyal Members, QUIKSILVER x STRANGER THINGS As the company entered the 1990s, it continued to record robust sales gains. St. James Press, 1997. Plus, give us your mobile number for a bonus entry! Encouraged by this success, the company's management diversified into other types of active wear during the 1980s and began selling merchandise through department stores, rather than dealing exclusively with smaller specialty shops. The Quiksilver name first appeared in the United States thanks to the entrepreneurial efforts of two inveterate surfers, Robert B. McKnight and Jeffrey Hakman. Just window shopping? Since its birth over 20 years ago, Quiksilver has maintained its commitment to performance, style, and endurance and has taken the message around the world. Hakman won the event, and as luck would have it, he met Greene and Law and sat up all night with Quiksilver's owners eating, drinking champagne, and discussing the possibility of securing the U.S. licensing rights to the Quicksilver name. Monday to Thursday 10AM - 8PM|Friday to Saturday 10AM - 9PM|Sunday 10AM - 7PM|, COPYRIGHT 1999-2022, SIMON PROPERTY GROUP, L.P. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Element creates well-crafted products that are made to endure and is inspired by workwear, outdoor, and military aesthetics. For McKnight and Hakman, obtaining the licensing rights to Quiksilver represented a perfect opportunity to turn their favorite pastime into a vocation. Now that you've signed up, we encourage you to take a moment and customize your email preferences. Help came from elsewhere as well, including the company's foray into producing snowboard clothing and its entrance into the market for women's sportswear. A celebrated name among surfers across the globe, Quiksilver, Inc. designs and distributes casual sportswear, beachwear, and snowboard wear, marketing its apparel under the Quiksilver, Roxy, Private Surf, Que, and Raisin labels. We have been supplying quality products for boardriders since 1969. Founded by two young American surfers in 1976, Quicksilver recorded enviable success with its boardshorts, swimsuits, and other surfing apparel and accessories during its first decade of business. Element is a globally conscious lifestyle brand, rooted in skateboarding, the arts and nature. RVCA is the brainchild of company founder, PM Tenore. McKnight and Hakman's surprising success with the Quiksilver brand name began in April of 1976, when Hakman entered a surfing competition in Australia. Men's Boardshorts Available on Google Play and the Apple App Store. Following McKnight's decision to expand Quicksilver, the company celebrated the conclusion of its first decade of business by completing its initial public offering of stock in December 1986, when annual sales were up to $19 million and the stock market was receptive to small-sized companies like Quiksilver. Next, McKnight hurried to secure the capital required to launch the business. McKnight's commitment to his business strategy successfully carried Quiksilver through its fledgling years, creating a firmly established company by the beginning of the 1980s. After swallowing the plate-sized piece of paper, Hakman shook hands with Greene and Law and placed a call to Oahu to tell McKnight of the good news. Copyright 2002-2022 Irvine Management Company. This shift back to the company's roots was perceived as a positive step by a number of industry analysts, as was the company's encouraging financial growth.