40,000 Utilikilts Sold

[possingk]

I figured that I know USAKilt is doing well, but I doubt even they are selling that many every few months. I would not object to be told otherwise, though.

The point I meant to make is that Utilikilts is not being run as a "grab as much money as possible as soon as possible" enterprise. 40,000 units in about six years... not many items that started out as an avant-gard arts project can say that. That they have sold that many, with no advertising budget and with a business philosophy that can squeeze the bottom line, is worth bragging about.

I'm very happy that both companies -- not to mention all of the other kilt manufacturers, both formal and casual -- are successful.

I think it is a tremendous accomplishment that Utilikilts have sold 40,000 kilts, especially without advertising budgets etc. I also hope that you are not implying that USA Kilts, or any other kiltmaker on this forum is "being run as a 'grab as much money as possible as soon as possible' enterprise" as a person who has met the folks at USA Kilts in person, and one who has learned so much from the other kiltmakers on this forum, I can't say anyone of them is running an enterprise such as that. It actually upsets me that it was even implied.

Once again, I am really happy that Utilikilts made it to 40,000 that means that kilt wearing is spreading, and that can only mean good things for not only Utilikilts, but all the kilt makers around the world. I look forward to getting my first Utilikilt some day, but I look forward to getting any kilt, so that may be a moot point.

I hope this thread goes back to what it's intent was to recognize a great company for it's accomplishments.

[cavscout]

I'd be very interested to see some statistical breakdowns of that 40,000.

How many are to the same owner?
Age demographics?
Marital Status?
Most popular model?
etc...

[efer]

Hey Cavscout,

I agree it would be interesting to see the demographics...

his my take on demo graphics:
The UK group had a poll many months ago asking
"how many UK you owned"
WHen I last looked at the results it was tredning toward double shaped bell curve with large numbers around 1 and >5. (say the range was from 0 to >5)

My best guess as far as the most popular would be the orginal and workman...I have neither of those styles The 2 UKs I have are the Mocker and Survival style.

Cheers,

[TechBear]

I also hope that you are not implying that USA Kilts, or any other kiltmaker on this forum is "being run as a 'grab as much money as possible as soon as possible' enterprise" as a person who has met the folks at USA Kilts in person, and one who has learned so much from the other kiltmakers on this forum, I can't say anyone of them is running an enterprise such as that. It actually upsets me that it was even implied.

I am really suffering from a bad case of foot-in-mouth disease today, aren't I? That's not what I meant to imply, but rather than try to explain myself further, I will take the prudent course and just shut up.

[NewKilt]

I'd be very interested to see some statistical breakdowns of that 40,000.

How many are to the same owner?
Age demographics?
Marital Status?
Most popular model?
etc...

It would be interesting to see those stats. I know that talking to Uncle Otto in sales, that he said he sometimes feels like a drug dealer. He was referring to people who buy a UK and then come back for several more. He had also related to me in one phone conversation that they had expected younger people to buy UK's, but it's actually been men that are older. He didn't mention specific age groups. I know that Ron, Ham and I are senior citizens and we each have several Utilikilts.

I think the success that Utilikilts is experiencing is good for all kilt makers because UK owners will also tend to buy traditional kilts, as well as contemporary kilts from other kilt makers. For instance, It's not uncommon for me to wear an Irish American tartan one day, then wear a Utilikilt or Amerikilt the next.

Darrell

[Riverkilt]

Darrell, I think you hit it right on the head.

I've had the opportunity to buy and wear a traditional hand sewn tartan kilt for 40 years...yet I never did...never imagined where I'd wear it beyond the occasional highland games.

Yet when I first laid eyes on a Utilikilt I knew, at age 59, I wanted one. Now I own 14 of the things and I wear kilts daily.

But, after being brought to kilts by the "Scotish Jeans" concept of Utilikilts I've since bought SIX hand sewn traditional kilts.

And, after some delay I've discovered the tartan contemporary kilt and now own Seven USA Kilts with four more on order.

And, of course I've branched out into other solid contemporary kilts and who'd have ever thunk it, TWO leather kilts.

I just can't envision how I would have started kilting with anything other than Utilikilts. That's what worked for me. No clue why. It just did.

You can stand around a Utilikilts booth most anywhere and see the addiction take hold in men who've never worn a kilt before.

Ron

[Yaish]

I'd say from my experience selling at booths, that the most common model would have to be the original. Black original at that.

Much of that just has to do with price, as its by far the cheapest of their full line kilts (not counting the spartan). Next to that, I would say the workmans, as it isnt THAT much more expensive and it definately has an air of "bad ***" to it. (just realized that "air of bad ***" might also refer to the day after Taco Tuesday)

Mockers got picked up less I think because of their looks, while dressy its a little skirtier. Everyone loves survivals but the price puts them out of range for many.

I seem to recall that most of the booth sales went to guys for whom it was either their first kilt, or maybe their second. I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that once you know your size, its much easier to order online than wait for the iffy stock at a festival.
Demographics ran the gamut, from old men to young women, married, single, straight, gay, and everything else you could imagine.
It was not unusual to have a retired Marine Master Sergeant in the booth at the same time as a 17 year old pudgy computer geek, and a married 30 something couple getting his and her kilts.

[Riverkilt]

I remember being at the UK booth in Mesa, AZ at the highland games when TWO police detectives, one well into his 40s - the other at least in his 50s, spent a long time trying on and pondering the kilts...then both bought one...when mature police detectives are buying UKs THAT is market penetration...

Ron

[Jerry]

I was MORE than Kidding. UK is MUCH bigger than us and I have no delusions about it. Also... Kelly and I make all of our kilts with our own two hands. 40,000 kilts in 2 months would be a BIT much to ask of any kiltmaker.

Rocky, if everyone buys as many kilts at ione time as Ron, you might just approach that 40,000 in two months.

[pbpersson]

I remember being at the UK booth in Mesa, AZ at the highland games when TWO police detectives, one well into his 40s - the other at least in his 50s, spent a long time trying on and pondering the kilts...

I am spending two days this weekend in Flagstaff at the Highland games and....I have never been to any Highland games before in my life. I was wondering what there might be to see and do.

The activity of watching people try their first kilt might in ITSELF provide a great deal of entertainment.