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As part of their immersion week within the sports industry, the new intake of the MSc in Sports Industry Management went to visit the Scott, Helly Hansen and Merrell Showrooms located outside the city of Annecy. The visit started off with a tour of the Scott Showroom where the manager presented the range of products carried out by Scott. From introducing the lightest full-suspension mountain bikes, triathlon bikes and the “Fat Bike” meant for snow and mud paths to presenting full body equipments, the manager gave a good overview of Scott’s expertise to the students.

After Scott, the new intake went on to visit the Merrell Showrooms. Specialised in outdoor footwear, Merrell is a well-renowned brand which also carries casual and lifestyle footwear as well as an apparel collection. With 450 different styles for each season and its own creative techniques and technology, Merrell is present in many retail stores across the French Alps and the rest of the world.

Helly Hansen was the last showroom the students visited. The company started in 1877 in Norway by creating sailing attire. For the last 140 years, Helly Hansen has been developing both warm and protective equipment for sailers and outdoor enthusiasts and professionals.  Today the company has two different brands Helly Hansen Sports and Helly Hansen Work Wear and is present in Europe, Asia and North America. With its headquarters still based in Norway, a commercial office in Annecy, a team of people working on the company’s back office and marketing aspects in Munich, warehouses in the Netherlands and in the USA as well as subsidiaries based all over Europe, Helly Hansen is truly a global sports brand.

From asking questions about the Scott, Merrell or Helly Hansen products and distribution processes to walking around the showrooms to get a closer look at the different ranges, the students were able to experience first-hand how sports and outdoor brands in the French Alps operate across all continents.