At Pacific Brands we love classics and have more than our fair share
of them — Chesty Bond singlets and Dunlop Volley shoes to name
but two.
But staying relevant as times change is essential for all brands
and knowing when and how to innovate is something Pacific Brands
has become a master of over many years. Nobody does it better.
Our product development teams are the industry's best at
identifying emerging trends and developing products to create
demand and lead the market. We innovate in style, function
and quality — sometimes all three at once.
At the heart of it is our commitment to research. Not just consumer
research, so we know what new products or improvements people
want, but product research, so we can create new products no one's
ever dreamt of and drive demand through our marketing campaigns.
At the same time we keep a watchful eye on emerging trends
both here and overseas so we're ahead of the curve and not
playing catch-up.
We spot trends and develop products from scratch through
our own R&D. Sometimes we spot niche solutions and turn them
into mass-market opportunities.
Above all else, it is Pacific Brands' skilful management of innovation
and research that keeps our classics at the top of their game and
creates the new classics of tomorrow.
Hoodies and Easysuits are two recent examples from Bonds.
Slazenger BioSlyx and Voodoo Ladder Control Pantyhose are
two from other brands in the Pacific Brands' portfolio.
We work hard to make the ordinary extraordinary. We want our
consumers to not only look good but feel great. So we need
to know how comfortable they are in their socks and underwear,
how fast kids feet grow and whether our pillows are giving the
neck support for a good nights' sleep. It's what keeps us in front.
Our retail partners are great supporters of our innovation and
ability to grow and drive categories through design, development
and advertising and marketing activities.
With the right product, at the right price, on the right shelf, in the
right place, at the right time, our classics will stay classic and new
classics will emerge.
Throughout 2007/2008 these are just some of the new products
and innovations we introduced to the market:
- Dunlop Volley SS Skate series
- Voodoo Ladder Control Pantyhose
- Slazenger BioSlyx compression training products
- Mooks loves Volley collaboration
- Dunlop Double-Laminated Carpet Cushion
- Merrell lightweight Barado shoes
- SHE by Sheridan bed linen range
- Bonds Hi-Tops
- Bonds Easysuit
- Yakka Xtreme range of workwear
BONDI HI-TOPS
The Bonds team saw the emerging trend of high-waisted jeans
and belted skirts in the US and realised that when it reached
Australia, as it was sure to, there was no underwear specifically
designed for high waistlines. The Bonds Hi-Top was born.
Launched with the unforgettable 'Mash' dance campaign,
it became an instant success.
BONDS EASYSUIT
Existing coveralls have a series of studs, ties or buttons that,
even for the most experienced of parents, can be well… tricky.
The Bonds team saw this as an opportunity and after Intensive
research, gave birth to an innovation in babywear, the 'Bonds
Easysuit' - the first ever all-in-one babysuit without buttons, studs
or fasteners of any kind. Since its launch in December 2007,
sales have surpassed all expectations.
VOODOO LADDER CONTROL PANTYHOSE
It's the oldest challenge in pantyhose: the sheer finish women want
with the durability they need. Voodoo overcame it by developing
Ladder Control Pantyhose with elastomeric yarn bonded with a
special heat treatment. Even if a hole does occur, the bonded fabric
stops it laddering. Independent tests by RMIT University agree.
SLAZENGER BIOSLYX
The Slazenger team saw the growth and benefits of 'compression'
garments but could also see that their high price was keeping them
out of reach of many 'everyday' athletes. They took up the challenge
and the result was BioSlyx, which delivered the performance
needed at a fraction of the price. Not surprisingly, they've been a
runaway success.
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