Online reviews of kathmandu seem to be bad. Especially on productreviews.com. Mainly related to service provided in stores 2/5! Sounds horrendous. But then I looked at peter alexander - 2.5. Lovisa 2/5 as well! Apple 2.1. Makes sense - i only do online reviews when Ive had a really bad experience with a shop or product - but rarely for good service. 

A positive is that reviews of kathmandu as a workplace seem to be high.

Online reviews are probably unreliable - but ive also read some thoughts from nz investors who claim kathmandu doesnt have the strongest reputation in nz.

update - tried to do this again. Read some of the reviews - generally very negative ???? and worried about my bull case... but then also looked up macpac and rating similarly low.  I suppose the only review that matters is my own - bought several of their products last year before becoming a shareholder. Online was easy. No issues to date. Happy enough customer and positive feedback from random mcg security guard enough to buy shares.

Went to the mcg the other week, and while being wanded by security he remarked that mine was the nicest of the kathmandu jackets he had seen that day.

looking around at the footy, it doesnt take long to see the kathmandu logo on peoples clothing. 

My own jacket had only been purchased a few weeks earlier with melbourne experiencing a cold (but relatively sunny) winter. I also bought another jacket and some pants and used afterpay for a rapid seamless experience.

since then ive kept my eye out. Kathmandu is everywhere. Out of the 8 people who came in to my workplace on Wednesday afternoon, 2 wore kathmandu. (Im not suggesting that its owned by 25% of melbournians - just that its the biggest brand in the area).

also passing through melbourne airport the kathmandu store actually had people in it - maybe 8, and one person buying at the counter. Most of the stores selling clothes at the airport seem to spend their time empty.

the anecodtes above merely aim to suggest that kathmandu is a very powerful brand. When i thought of buying a puffer jacket - i thought of kathmandu (even though i didnt own any of their garments). I think of it like i do peter alexander for pyjamas. Yes i have other pjs, but when i want to get the wife a gift of pjs, i buy her some cute/cool peter alexander ones.

With a strong brand, I believe they will continue to improve sales - particularly through their (apparently) improved online channel.

Ripcurl has managed to survive where the other classic surf brands have struggled. Recent merger of competitors billabong and quicksilver after major difficulties with both companies highlights the risk in the surfware industry.

But at the same time has reduced one major competitor for ripcurl which may improve margin over time.

this may prove handy for kmd with their purchase, particularly if macpac starts to compete strongly in the local market 

Buying ripcurl for $350 million. Potential to even out earnings throughout the year given kmd does well in winter and ripcurl in summer. Back office synergies probably likely, and potential for kmd to use ripcurl distribution and outlets to springboard into new markets globally. Nice that the ripcurl owners are receiving some of their payment in kmd equity - which hopefully alligns them a bit with the rest of us kmd shareholders.

Total sales up 9.6%!

Up on a positive trading update.

 In like for like sales, Nz seems to be going backwards although as expected by all those kmd jackets everywhere in Melbourne, aus performing okay. 

What would be more interesting is the online sales. That’s where I bought all of mine. 

Also eventual USA sales will be of interest. Apparently showing sales and ebit growth.