18th Oct 2006 07:00
Hot Tuna (International) plc18 October 2006 Press Release 18 October 2006 Hot Tuna (International) PLC ("Hot Tuna" or "the Company") Successful re-launch of Hot Tuna brand in the US Hot Tuna (International) PLC (AIM:HTT), a lifestyle apparel brand with authenticsurf heritage, is pleased to announce that it has received orders from four ofthe surf industry's pre-eminent independent retailers in the US. Following the showing of the Spring/Summer 2007 range at a series of the leadingtrade shows in the US over the summer, including Magic (Las Vegas in August) andASR (San Diego in September), the Company is delighted to announce that the newrange has been well received and great support has been associated with theprevious history of the brand. Hot Tuna USA's launch plan is to establish aninitial account base of 'A' grade independent surf retailers. The Company is delighted to announce it has received an order from Jacks'Surfboards, which was voted Retailer of the Year 2006 by the Surf IndustryManufacture Association (SIMA). Jacks' Surfboards is based out of fourlocations in California, namely Huntingdon Beach, Newport Beach, Corona del Marand Dana Point. An order has also been received from Yellow Rat Bastard ("YRB"), one of the coreclothing retailers in New York City. YRB, with three stores in New York, hascommitted to purchase Hot Tuna men's apparel and women's apparel. Additionally, the Company has received orders from Diane Beachwear, a leadingswim wear retailer with fourteen stores in southern California. Finally, the Company is delighted to announce that it has also received ordersfrom Cocoa Beach Surf Company, which is based in Cocoa Beach, Florida. CocoaBeach houses the largest surf complex in the world and is the location of HotTuna's first concept store launched in Spring 2006. Commenting on these early commitments, Ranjit Murugason, Executive Chairman ofHot Tuna, said: "It is gratifying to have received orders from four of the mostwell recognised independent retailers in the US. These orders bode well forfuture sales in the US market, which is the largest market for surf apparel inthe world." - Ends - For further information:Hot Tuna (International) PLCRanjit Murugason, Executive Chairman Tel: +44 (0) 20 7372 [email protected] Seymour Pierce LimitedSarah Wharry / Parimal Kumar Tel: +44 (0) 20 7107 [email protected] www.seymourpierce.com Media enquiries:AbchurchHenry Harrison-Topham / Chris Lane Tel: +44 (0) 20 7398 [email protected] www.abchurch-group.com Notes to Editors Hot Tuna International PLC (AIM:HTT) owns the rights to the Hot Tuna brand, aprogenitor of global youth fashion, born in Australia with a heritage ofauthentic surf culture. Hot Tuna is one of the world's most iconic names in surf lifestyle and can traceits roots back to 1969 when it was founded by a surfer and his fashion designerwife. Though the label had not been actively marketed over for the lastdecade, it retained an organic cult status among core action sports enthusiasts. In June 2005, Hot Tuna International PLC purchased the 'Hot Tuna' brand fromFrontier International (Holdings) Pty Ltd, listed on AIM in September 2005, andhas since started to aggressively market the brand and reinvigorate thebusiness. The Company now owns all intellectual property rights to its name andrelated iconography, and has put in place key management drawn from theexecutive ranks of Quiksilver, O'Neill and Ocean Pacific, among others. Headquartered in the UK, Hot Tuna operates design, marketing and distributionhubs in the USA, Australia and the UK. In its core markets, Hot Tuna sellsproducts, which are directly manufactured in facilities in North America, Europeand in China. Hot Tuna offices are maintained in Sydney, Los Angeles and London. For more information, visit www.hottunaplc.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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