SAN DIEGO, CA (BRAIN) — Triathlon and wetsuit brand De Soto Sport will continue its policy of not selling to "non-traditional" retail outlets, including Amazon.com, company founder Emilio De Soto II said Wednesday.
De Soto, which will celebrate 25 years in business next year, sells to speciality bike, triathlon and running retailers, including some who sell online. The brand — which was one of the first 1,000 companies in the world to have a website — also sells consumer direct via the site.
But Emilio De Soto said he "drew the line" when it came to non-specialty sites like Amazon.
"We researched it, we signed up for it, but then we decided not to do it," he told BRAIN. "We think that policies like this are the best thing we can do to preserve the IBD and the speciality retailers, which is where we want to do our business."
De Soto said his brand has its roots in selling direct to athletes, who helped build brand awareness and eventually caused retailers to approach the company about stocking his products. He wants to retain the consumer-direct sales because its part of the brand's tradition, and also a way to reach consumers who live far from any De Soto dealer.
