Should I go into the running store business?

I was thinking about getting into the VCR repair business, any tips?

a bookstore would be a savvy business move

lemmeknourthoughts wrote:

I'm talking about owning a shop.. Maybe Fleet Feet or independent.. Convince to do so or to run far far away

Huge mistake. Brick and mortar retail is dying, and especially running stores. You honestly think you'll be able to compete with Amazon offering the same shoes for 1/2 the price delivered to your doorstep within hours by drone and/or conventional UPS guy? All I can say is, good luck!

2/10

I heard brick and mortar running stores make their money putting on races.

It depends. Where are you at? What other running stores are in your area? Is there a market for a running store to host a few races? How active are people in your area?

If they go to using drones won't kids be shooting them down with slingshots?

My local Fleet Feet has a piss poor selection of shoes.

Unless you are a running legend in your town or city, ditch the idea of a running shoe store. People like me might go in to try on some shoes to see what we like, but will then turn around and buy them online for cheaper. We don't care that you are a small business owner trying to make a living. Saving money is more important to us than whether or not you are able to feed your family.

NO. With the growth of social media you should instead buy photography gear and start doing race photos. From what they tell me, it pays 6 figures per year minimum with all expenses paid.

like wow... wrote:

Unless you are a running legend in your town or city, .

If there's one thing that brings the soccer mom joggers in, it's a hometown running legend.

I took my daughter to the local running shop because I really wanted to patronize them. It was her first XC spike and getting to try some on was worth the cost. So, we get to the store and we go to the rack and there are 3 spikes to choose from. She didn't like any of the colors and so didn't even try them on. Good luck with a tough business.

Btw, you should not be entering into any job or business venture that you have any uncertainty about. You need to have a strong will to weather the tough times that hit every business. Do you want to be one of the 9 in 10 small businesses that fail within 3 years? Sinking 75-100k of your money + lost opportunity costs.

Vertical Integration is key.

If you just offer the same sh*t as amazon, runningwarehouse etc, you're going to lose.

Give them a reason to come back to your store, OFTEN!

- Organize running races throughout the year (give vouchers to the first 3 ($50) and to everyone who signs up ($10-$20)

- organize weekly group runs (free) from your store, also offer additional services (Marathon prep classes) for a fee

- offer free services such as bag drop (for the group runs), that don't cost you but bring people to your store

- have guest speakers for special in-store events, e.g. your local ultra guy who just ran Badwater

What about Brick and Mordar businesses?

Nutella1 wrote:

Vertical Integration is key. Give them a reason to come back to your store, OFTEN!

- Organize running races throughout the year

- organize weekly group runs (free) from your store, also offer additional services (Marathon prep classes) for a fee

- offer free services such as bag drop (for the group runs), that don't cost you but bring people to your store

- have guest speakers for special in-store events, e.g. your local ultra guy who just ran Badwater

Agree with this advice. In the US metro area where I live, the successful independent running stores do this or similar things (e.g. host the Team In Training group [per bullet 2], have track singlets of local HS teams on the walls, free coffee and cookies on a weekend day, play area for young children, monthly gait analysis clinic, a support station on the marathon course, and one has a visibly labeled RV that shows up in both usual places and makes guerrilla stops [brewpub, across street at a chain running store's opening]).

What also seems to work for them is having a good mix of employees-- first-boomer runners, former and current collegiate runners, HS kids, and those who can serve well the fitness newbie/walker. One, that now has several locations, has been able to sniff out the best places to put in new stores (hipster part of downtown, well-off exurbs).

No. I do most shopping online or discount stores TJ-Maxx , Marshall. Ma and Pa prices are to high.

random3 wrote:

Btw, you should not be entering into any job or business venture that you have any uncertainty about.

While I agree with much of what you said, I have a hard time with this. You're always going to have uncertainty in life. If you don't have uncertainty about opening a business, you're probably not thinking it through carefully enough. In my experience, if you wait for the perfect opportunity you'll miss out on a lot of things.

Regarding the question of the original poster, I don't think I know enough about that business to give you any useful advice. Online shopping is a big consideration. I know that there are successful running stores out there (so it can be done), but I know that stores are closing also. Clothing items (and shoes especially) are something I will not order online (and I order almost everything else online). I need to try things on and really like the fit before I buy them (the look doesn't matter much to me).

impartial advice wrote:

I heard brick and mortar running stores make their money putting on races.

Nope, they make their money selling EPO