where are you located?
where are you located?
gads,
True but I was never able to find the Asics lightweight models at the stores: Gel-Lytes, Trainers (sometimes), Verdicts, Flashes, Speedsters, etc. Only would see the Kayanos and other "mid-level" models.
I only wear Asics, only the lightweight models, on sale and online. Right now I'm on the Speedster IIs because Kelly's Warehouse had a good deal on them a few months back.
Try opening a running store in Boulder county. impossible. BRC has a monopoly on all shoe accounts. It's not right, really.
.....! wrote:
Try opening a running store in Boulder county. impossible. BRC has a monopoly on all shoe accounts. It's not right, really.
It's actually illegal.
o'neil....
is that you lurking around again.
how are Pearl Izumi sales looking this month.
old broad wrote:
gads,
True but I was never able to find the Asics lightweight models at the stores: Gel-Lytes, Trainers (sometimes), Verdicts, Flashes, Speedsters, etc. Only would see the Kayanos and other "mid-level" models.
I only wear Asics, only the lightweight models, on sale and online. Right now I'm on the Speedster IIs because Kelly's Warehouse had a good deal on them a few months back.
You are speaking of RRS, but describing my usual experience with brick-and-mortar stores. You go in, there's a big Wall o' Trainers facing you, not a single lightweight shoe, let alone a flat. The salesman says, 'put these on and run a few steps,' so you do, and then he says, 'oh, you are overpronating, you should get these shoes.' Everyone gets sold shoes with lots of cushioning and control.
I figured all this was just wrongheadedness on the part of the retailers, but now I'm wondering if really it is a distribution problem, and most stores just don't get the good shoes.
we are a specialty shop that carries everything. high end, mid-range and lightweights. we also have flats and spikes. we provide a gait analysis(treadmill and tv with slow-mo playback). we just have a population that loves on-line shopping.
Attempting to open in Florida.
gads wrote:
we are a specialty shop that carries everything. high end, mid-range and lightweights. we also have flats and spikes. we provide a gait analysis(treadmill and tv with slow-mo playback). we just have a population that loves on-line shopping.
Are you selling right now? What part of the world are you in?
why open a retail store? tight margins, high rent, etc.
Brooks just gave me same speech. Says town aint big enough and the no talent ass clown who owns the other store is not even on the radar. The owner of the other store is exactly why running specialty stores and passed over for the internet. He doesn't carry any sizes and doesnt even offer to order for hs kids. Damn shame.
I live in a college town in the southeast USA of about 100k, and there are only really two stores that are specialty running stores. One store is has been around for over 20 years, another store is newer. I talked with some folks at the newer store and they were unable to get Asics to sell to them either. It's a shame because the staff is knowledgable and friendly, and Asics is popular among the runners in town.
Screw asics. If you can get their product Dicks, Kohls, JC Pennys and Sears, no need to carry their stuff. MIZUNO is a better product and their reps are not tools with attitudes either.
Because retail is the fastest growing buisness in specialty running...that's why you would want to open a retail store.
You just have to be in an area where service is important. Give a fair price and great service. Many people will choose that over a bargain.
I like my local shoe store, but prices are so steep! Literally double what I would pay on the internet. He's good in that he usually chucks in some socks or sorbothane inserts as well, but then he's just charged me £50-60 for a shoe I can get elsewhere for £30-35, went there when I was still relatively new to the sport but quickly realised that it was a bad idea!- now generally buy off the internet or go to the "general sports" stores and have a look around as usually they have some of the cheaper running trainers and if you know what you're looking for then it's worth it.
Mizuno is also all over Dicks, etc. Remember, Asics and Mizuno are both Japanese companies with focus on other sports... they will sell to anybody.
I actually opened a store a few years back and within our second year a competitor opened shop within 5 miles of our store. Not one vendor opened the competitor, except Mizuno. A young Mizuno sales rep, just focused on commission perhaps, made a poor decision, as the store is approaching the $1 million mark in about 4 years time.
some of these reps are bogus. the mizuno, saucony and asics reps don't want to do business with our shop either. it's their loss though.
try bringing on 4 main companies with 1-2 specialties. here's a list of starters that will probably do bidness with ya:
New Balance
Reebok
adidas
Avia
Inov-8
if you order 3 models each in mens and women's sizes (altho inov-8 is unisex) and 3 racing flats, you'll have enough for your opening. you're looking at 27 models on the wall, plus 3 racing flats = 30. if you have a small location, it'll look like you're STACKED.
yes, that product mix would bw a perfect way to start a business. That way customers that have ever purchased a running shoe before will never set foot in your store again because you dont carry the product that most people (Mizuno, Asics, Brooks and even nike) prefer to run in.
Unfortunetely you cannot build a customer base with second tier product even if you are a really nice guy and are totally involved in the community.
true.