Want to buy Nike products at your local running store? Soon you won't be able to.

Store Goer wrote:

Store owner wrote:

Because that’s not how it works? You realize many of us are in the industry.

Can you tell us how it works? Specifically, how does this make sense for Nike? If it makes sense for Nike, will it not make sense for everyone else soon enough too? Will you be a former store owner in the near future?

For what it's worth, I was at the local shop last week and we discussed this. According to the owner, who's been in the business for over 30 years, what Nike's doing is the wave of the future according to the trade papers. and Nike will not be the only company doing this. I do not read the trade papers and am only repeating what I was told by someone who does.

I hate to break to those here in the dinosaur industry, but brick and mortar stores are for suckers.

Scapers wrote:

I hate to break to those here in the dinosaur industry, but brick and mortar stores are for suckers.

So are Internet forums, but here we all are.

feldman wrote:

Scapers wrote:

I hate to break to those here in the dinosaur industry, but brick and mortar stores are for suckers.

So are Internet forums, but here we all are.

Do you really think that working at a running store is comparable in terms of industry health as working for a website, or is it some other parallel you were trying to draw?

feldman wrote:

Scapers wrote:

I hate to break to those here in the dinosaur industry, but brick and mortar stores are for suckers.

So are Internet forums, but here we all are.

Both true. Just today, I was thinking about asking letsrun where I could try on the nike speed racer in the Portland area. Maybe I'll just buy adidas.

Bold move.

Are we sure it includes apparel? That seems risky. Having their main profit makers in peoples faces is huge. I buy clothes on impulse...because I like the look, the feel, whatever. Doesnt happen online.

Nike already cut off many smaller running stores anyway so this is no biggie.

Scapers wrote:

feldman wrote:

So are Internet forums, but here we all are.

Do you really think that working at a running store is comparable in terms of industry health as working for a website, or is it some other parallel you were trying to draw?

Internet forum, not website, words matter dude. But let’s not digress.

feldman wrote:

Scapers wrote:

Do you really think that working at a running store is comparable in terms of industry health as working for a website, or is it some other parallel you were trying to draw?

Internet forum, not website, words matter dude. But let’s not digress.

The forum is part of the website, dude. You think that Letsrun’s business model is as obsolete and threatened as your local running store?

Nike Clown Company wrote:

Good. Nike shoes are over priced garbage anyway

To each his own regarding the quality but it's pretty easy to find Nike models for cheap. Soon as they release new colorways they take their old stock (of recent models, just old colors) and send em to outlets at a fraction of the cost. I bought Pegasus 33 earlier this year for $80, which in Canada is about as cheap as it's gonna get for a runner. Funnily enough, the local running shop is never the place to sell em cheap anyways. Outlets and large chains are the only places that can offer the good deals. I will say that employees at non-running shops are super annoying though. They think they know their stuff cause they work in a sports store but they are usually oblivious when it comes to running shoes.

How does continuing to communicate (or not) on internet forums have any parallel with the apparent accelerating demise of small brick and mortar retail? The guy was right in trying to question your logic.

I really have to explain to you idiots that internet forums peaked in about 2006? And that it's a dying form of communication? Sort of like brick and mortar? But we post here anyway because there's still a sense of connection we feel in a "community" like the letsrun forum? Sort of like seeing the same folks at the local running shop and supporting the local community?

Anyway, I was talking to a buddy of mine that owns a store. Basically Nike is asking for dedicated square footage for exclusive product placement. Meaning that the shoe wall with all the brands commingled isn't good enough anymore. The reality is the small shops can't justify removing all Nike products from the wall and racks and giving them dedicated space. Think of it like walking into a Best Buy and Sony TV's have a section with brand specific signage and advertisements. Your 1200 sqft locally owned running shop can't pull that off. Your local Nordstrom? They're looking for ways to fill space, they're more than happy to do it. Fortunately for my buddy the vast majority of his revenue comes from other brands. So if this happens as expected, he'll take a hit but survive.

You are terribly mistaken to think that internet websites with forums and brick and mortar stores are equally outdated. It is an awful comparison from someone with no business acumen, and that’s as nicely as I can put it.

Scapers wrote:

You are terribly mistaken to think that internet websites with forums and brick and mortar stores are equally outdated. It is an awful comparison from someone with no business acumen, and that’s as nicely as I can put it.

Agreed. Just a silly analogy on many levels.

The Great Divide wrote:

So none of the local running stores will carry Nike shoes or clothing anymore? Currently I buy almost all my gear from our small store. Honestly if I can't get Nike Pegasus there, I have no reason to go and won't be buying anything else (clothes or nutrition) there because I don't need those things often.

Why are small stores not talking about this? It will be a huge shock to their system.

Because Nike is a very small part of run specially stores now. They've sucked as a partner for years, so Hoka, On, Altra are filling that gap. I don't know the last time that Nike was on the top 3 brands at run specialty.

Hardloper wrote:

Scapers wrote:

You are terribly mistaken to think that internet websites with forums and brick and mortar stores are equally outdated. It is an awful comparison from someone with no business acumen, and that’s as nicely as I can put it.

Agreed. Just a silly analogy on many levels.

LOL, you guys should go out and find some VC money to start an internet forum. I work for one, you want me email? I promise to share your pitch with the company.

feldman wrote:

Hardloper wrote:

Agreed. Just a silly analogy on many levels.

LOL, you guys should go out and find some VC money to start an internet forum. I work for one, you want me email? I promise to share your pitch with the company.

It couldn’t be more obvious that you do not work for a VC firm.

feldman wrote:

It's true. That's a massive, I mean massive cost savings. They're assuming brand loyalty will translate to Amazon sales.

I find myself buying less on Amazon lately. Usually it costs more and there's less stuff on there if you want quality stuff for specific hobbies, like photography or cycling. Try buying bike parts for example on amazon. Way better deals and selection at online/local bike shops.

Using amazon less myself wrote:

feldman wrote:

It's true. That's a massive, I mean massive cost savings. They're assuming brand loyalty will translate to Amazon sales.

I find myself buying less on Amazon lately. Usually it costs more and there's less stuff on there if you want quality stuff for specific hobbies, like photography or cycling. Try buying bike parts for example on amazon. Way better deals and selection at online/local bike shops.

Why do you think that is?