Do we actually need running shoe stores?

It depends. I think local running stores need to adapt. The ones that have weekly group runs at night, sponsor races, and have social gatherings are the ones that will survive. I recall reading an article about a few that have installed beer taps and opened a bar in the back. Give runners a reason to be there.

I don't mind paying a slight premium to be able to take a test run in them up the block and chat about running.

But, take my local running store for example. They close at 6pm on weeknights (which is insane), charge full MSRP, and they have very little inventory (clothes and shoes). I remarked once that I wanted a shoe in a different color and they wouldn't order it for me. They just tried to convince me to "buy the red one."

Sorry, but in that case, I'll gladly order shoes online for $20-$50 cheaper from Amazon or Running Warehouse, and return them for free if they don't fit.

I do find good deals on Amazon but the model I like is always full MSRP at Running Warehouse.

I always buy my first pair of a new model at my local running store, just so I can try them on and, if they don't work out, return them hassle-free. After that I just buy from wherever is cheapest. Sometimes, with my 10% club discount, it's still from the store. Usually it's someplace online.

Other than buying that one or two pairs of shoes per year, I can't find a reason to patronize the store. They don't carry apparel that appeals to me or is affordable. They're seriously selling baggy basketball-type running shorts for $60! I'm not some cheapo who's been running in the same nylon Dolfin shorts for the last 30 years, but a simple pair of 3-5" inseam black shorts with a key pocket is all I need...yet they don't carry them. Probably not much profit margin.

I don't need "energy products." I don't need a $500 Garmin. I don't need a 26.2 sticker. I don't need $50 socks. I don't need a jacket that costs $350. I don't need nutritional seminars or form clinics that serve as nothing more than a way to pitch more product.

But, unfortunately, I'm no longer the target demographic for the store, even though I'm still a runner...

El Cheapo wrote:

I do find good deals on Amazon but the model I like is always full MSRP at Running Warehouse.

I thought everyone knew about the discount code from runblogger.com - runblog10 - that can get you a 10% discount at runningwarehouse.com. Runnigwarehouse.com also has free shipping and free returns which allows you to return the shoe if you find that it doesn't fit for you.

a true original wrote:

Djdjdjdjdjdjdjdjjd wrote:

I would like to show up in a speedo dripping in oil and have them measure my gait.

Then try every shoe model on and run intervals on the treadmill screaming gobble gobble motherf*ckers!

Then pull a bag full of pennies out of my speedo and say 'how much will this get me?'

Then yell "ring that bell m*therf*ckers, I'M A VIP!"

That's comedy gold. I'm having a party this weekend and I need a couple of TOTALLY HILARIOUS people there to make it go with a bang. Are you available?

Thanks buddy. What is the zip code? I gotta check with my parole officer first.

Alright, from inside running retail I should at least clear up that the shoes many of you seem to treasure that are always MSRP online isn't because the retailers can't seem to figure out the concept of sales, it's because the manufacturers require them to be at MSRP.

The companies want the shoe stores to do as well as possible, because they sell apparel effectively as well as other accessories and customers are generally happier. The companies discourage buying online for cheaper by setting the price at MSRP and threatening to cut off distribution to any retailer that advertises a lower price without approval. I've heard the Kayano or many Nike shoes referenced here, and it's sort of for this reason.

I can relate to most of this post. However, the "first buy" option doesn't work very well because I've also found what another poster mentioned about them rarely having the models/size I'm interested in. And I'm a size 8. Years of going into running stores and finding not much and/or not my size has pretty much worn me out to them.

El Cheapo wrote:

I have never found a better rate than Road Runner stores or their on-line site. If you joing their "club" they have the best deals around.

This is not my experience. I like the store, and having one nearby lets me try on and test lots of shoes. And their staff is generally knowledgeable. But the VIP thing is sheer marketing, as their regular prices are high and with the VIP discount come down to a competitive price. Example:

DS Trainer on RRS: $110 or $99 with VIP:

Running Warehouse: $99:

The same is true with the Nike Pegasus 31 and I'm sure most shoes. Again, I like the RRS stores and think they serve a purpose, but if you know exactly what you want, ordering online from RW or somewhere else usually makes sense.

You can't beat Running Warehouse. No tax, free 2-day shipping, free return shipping, no hassle returns. There is no limit as to the number of shoes you can order from and return.

I once ordered 13 different pair and returned 11. Any time I see a new interesting shoe, I'll order a pair in my size. If I like it, I'll keep it, otherwise it goes back. Easy to hop on the treadmill for a few strides to get a sense before going outdoors for a run.

Currently stocking up on Kinvara 5s for $50.05 shipped (with 15% facebook discount). Can't beat the price or convenience.

When they all shut due to skinflints saving a few quid online you will spend all your time sending back shoes that don't fit

Can't agree more.

To the OP...Models change and the sizing and fit right along with it. You'll go into a store, try shores on, find the right one and then leave to order the shoes online? What a classless piece of shite you are. If you can't afford to pay the price for the service, go to some shoe warehouse and buy the shoes, or take up a less expensive vocation like trolling Bulletin boards.

The people who work at the running stores I go to know running. I've purchased shoes (a while ago) from Brian Sell and Desi Davilla (I forget her married name). The stores I go to know why I'm there and they offer to help me out. They don't try to force feed me some stuff I don't need. Could I save $10-30 elsewhere? Maybe. But they also put on free running clinics. They sponsor races. They offer discounts to running club members and school athletes. In the vast majority, you get what you pay for.

Fnxndndndndnd wrote:

People who get service at a local store then go buy it for cheaper online suck.

That's why small businesses can't compete.

If you get helped by someone there it's an extra $10... If the store is a true running store, not some poo runner, then why not support them?

What is with this modern attitude of we the consumer exist to support the business? The business exists to provide a product at a cost. Small businesses can't compete because they expect loyalty just because they are small, not because of what they offer. And what do they offer? Less product, higher cost, knowledge that is easily gained from a search engine?

Hayduke wrote:

Fnxndndndndnd wrote:

People who get service at a local store then go buy it for cheaper online suck.

That's why small businesses can't compete.

If you get helped by someone there it's an extra $10... If the store is a true running store, not some poo runner, then why not support them?

What is with this modern attitude of we the consumer exist to support the business? The business exists to provide a product at a cost. Small businesses can't compete because they expect loyalty just because they are small, not because of what they offer. And what do they offer? Less product, higher cost, knowledge that is easily gained from a search engine?

How do you try on the shoes on the internet? Do you just buy a pair and hope they fit? Do you just buy 5 models and send back the 4 you like?

Most people don't do that. Also, most people don't know as much about shoes you do.

If you were buying a car, and knew little to nothing about cars, would you just order one of the internet and hope it is ok? I mean, would you spend weeks researching the internet reading all about the cars in reviews and looking at pictures? Or, would you rather just go test drive it?

Now, these two are obviously not on the same scale, but I think there is parallel and thus a justification for brick and mortar stores.

I also think that service become diluted as we dump brick and mortars in general. I went to a small bike shop that didn't carry a whole bunch of crap bikes. The selection was smaller, but all high quality, and the employees knew just about everything for each model. They helped me make a decision based on their experience. I also can take it there for service if it breaks. Now, if I went to the local Performance Bicycle or Sports Authority, I'd like end up with a piece of crap sold to be my a stoned teenager.

That being said, shoe stores aren't totally necessary IMO for people who know a lot of about shoes. But must don't. Also, I don't understand the attitude that we only need the internet for everything now.

the local running store in my area is great and sponsors lots of races but all their trainers seem to be $120 to $160, plus they don't put price tags on display shoes so I have to deal with a salesman asking me lots of questions before he'll just tell me how much the shoe costs. So I usually just wind up going to a warehouse store like Sports Authority where I can find an old pair of Asics or Nikes for $50-$60 without dealing with too much hassle. If they'd offer some better deals and put price tags on their shoes I might shop there more often but it seems like they'd rather cater to well off hobby joggers who don't mind shelling out a crapload of money for running gear.

Too many democrats/fairies in running stores.

Moses15 wrote:

The online stores could give a crap about your local community.

*couldn't

As someone who worked in a local shoe store for almost a decade, I can say that most letsrunners (the sub-14:30 5k / 2:20 marathon type) are not the target demographic. They are there to provide you with as much information as you need, if you don't need much information because you know what you want and don't want to have a conversation with a person face-to-face then it's probably not necessary for you. However, believe it or not, there is a huge population of people who know nothing about running, shoes, or how to get started in their fitness regime and can benefit greatly from the staff at a specialty running store.

Quite frankly, I didn't like working with the type of people who troll message boards. I got to talk to some pretty amazing athletes who just appreciated getting to come in and talk track, or road racing, or shoes with someone who knew how to put together a coherent sentence, or express an opinion honestly.

Also, the VIP club at Roadrunner charges you $20 every year. They make millions off of it because people forget to cancel it.

Yes, we need running stores. They are a fun place to browse and try on new models. What do you do when you have spontaneously decide to race tomorrow and need a pair of flats?

Its a pain in the ass to find good running shorts and singlets online too. I'd usually rather buy those in a store so I know they're going to fit right.

Running stores really cater to beginners and 20 mile a weekers, but it seems most people never get past that stage.

They also make a pretty penny selling spikes to high school athletes every august and dec/jan.

They host races, training runs, and other area events. A good running store is a pillar of the running community.

One downside is that they don't necessarily hire the best runners in need of jobs. Some of the people working in them, or most at some stores, are casual runners or post hs athletes who without the running store job would be working at walmart.

I'm curious if the average running store is doing well enough that it makes sense for them not to worry about failing to satisfy more experienced runners (who also know that the internet exists)? If they are, then I guess that a lot of us will just have to continue to go online, and they'll do fine.

But if, as I suspect, a running specialty store is not guaranteed gold, then it behooves them to find a way to attract/keep more customers. Having a very small selection, not enough sizes, and employees who don't seem too concerned about whether or not you walk back out of the store doesn't seem like a good path.

Now, I can easily imagine that financial math makes having a larger selection and more sizes difficult/impossible. But they could at least seem to give a shit when they don't have a freakin' size 8 in one or more different models. Offer to order it for me? Maybe not. And if they do, how about a small discount to come back in for it? Never seen it.

I've been visiting specialty running stores since the late 70's. Hardly ever do it anymore. Disappointing.