I am interested in creating designs for trucker hats and I have a few questions I would love anyone to take a shot at answering.
Is there a market for custom trucker hats?
Where are trucker hats in their product cycle? Where is the trucker hat market currently?
What are the methods of distribution?
Who buys trucker hats?
What do they want?
How much are they willing to spend?
Where do they want to buy them?
Any answers will be greatly appreciated!!
Ssssssincerrly,
Sarah
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Trends in the Trucker Hat Market
6 posts
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Truck hats are sold at truck stops for the most part. Price range can be $5 to $14. Good Retail price is around $8. The truckers buy them themselves.
You will need to research to know what the hottest sayings are, I don't really know.
Make It A Great Day!
Joseph
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Check out your local Petro or Flying J truck stop.
Or, get a look here - http://www.meshhat.com/juinlafrheha.html -
Well guys, here's a subject I know a thing or two about. I have been a trucker for over 15 years, and have my own site. Go to http://www.TruckerTech.com to get an idea of what I'm all about. I never knew there was such a thing as a "trucker Hat" to tell you the truth. I wear a cowboy hat when I drive. I guess that makes it a trucker hat. I also wear a high crown ball cap. Guess trucker hats come in all shapes.
Also, if the quality is right, Price doesn't have to be dirt cheap. The hat I wear cost me over $200, but it is a real hat, not some cardboard piece of junk. When I'm out in bad weather, my oilskin and hat keep me comfortable. When I tried wearing a $10 hat, just for work, it fell apart in a month. My Resistol hat has been with me for 5 years, and been abused like it was never meant to be. But still it lives. It might look kinda beat now, but I have gotten plenty of good service out of it.
Don't write truckers off as penny pinchers. My sunglasses (Maui Jims) cost me $180, my hat cost me $200+, and my oilskin duster cost me about $125. If you carry good products, people , even truckers, will pay the right price for them. Maybe in addition to high quality items, you could offer an "economical" section of products.
The old days of driving a truck with a stick shift and steering wheel are gone. Today, my truck has a full desktop computer in it, along with a GPS link, and mapping software. Every trucker I know has a cell phone, most of which use booster antennas. A great number of truckers are going to satellite radio, and dish TV in their trucks. This all costs money, and we do spend a buck or two.
As far as styles, most truckers like patriotic themes on their hats. Being able to customize it, making it "mine" is always a plus. Just don't try to sell some chinese garbage with an American flag on it to a trucker. Sell a good quality hat, for a fair price, and your customers will become your sales reps. -
Actually, all the cool kids are wearing trucker hats now.
http://www.meshhat.com/juinlafrheha.html
One of the best selling apparel items this year is the Von Dutch trucker hat.
http://www.wholesalecentral.com/ajackof ... mid=302320
It's kind of a fad that's been going on for years. Hipster kids buy trucker hats at the grocery store or wherever for a couple of bucks. A few designers have capitalized on the retro chic of it and put their logos or original designs on them. Von Dutch is a legendary car customizer, who's kids have turned his name into a licensing empire.
As a fashion fad, it's probably just passing it's peak. Entertainment Weekly recently declared Von Dutch trucker hats to be 'five minutes ago' but they've been big movers for the right stores so it'll be a long time before it all goes away. The price point is $20 or less, there was a premium price point for trucker hats for a while but that simply can't last.
Check with meshhat.com for distribution contacts. They'd be a great place to put your hats with initially if they'd take you on. -
Hi TruckerTech
My husband is a trucker also.I can't wait to show him your site.He will luv it!!! I agree with the American thyme on the hats.Everything my husband luv's has a American Flag or Eagle on it. I Luv the beautiful sunset pictures on your site... Roll on with your bad self!!!!
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