sportstyle

S portstyle checked in with more than a dozen U.S. running specialty retailers to capture the pulse of the running marketplace from coast-to-coast. Similar "hot button" issues emerged among them —in- ventory, supply chain and staffing. But there also appeared to be an overriding wish and theme — a yearning for a return to some of the old-school and "personal" practices that running shops were known for before the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Several mentioned that this would contribute to an outstanding 2023 for each of them. "We're going back to basics," proclaimed Tom Mansfield, president, and COO of Charm City Run which recently added new stores in Gaithersburg and Rehoboth Beach to expand its reach across Maryland to eight stores. "We're getting out and visiting our best customers. We've started doing video gait analysis in store again. We are getting back to what built the (Charm City) brand." Like Charm City, Shu's Idaho Running Co. in Boise, ID, operates an events business and is excited about the opportunity to again support the region's running community that participates in these races. "We love helping people get to the starting line and keeping their feet happy," says owner Leone Rusher. ere are many Maryland residents who are racing for the first time this fall, post-Covid, proclaims Mansfield at Charm City, adding that customers who discovered running and walking during the pandemic are now getting into the race regiment. "We are most optimistic that the many people who took up exercise during the pandemic will eventually look to run that first half-marathon or marathon and realize that they can benefit from the expertise and experience obtained by working with our staff to get their training equipment," offered up Ray Pugsley, owner of VA-based Potomac River Running. A closer look at the key issues that emerged among our respondents: Inventory is is the most "challenging" aspect of every run specialty shop's operation today, according to the respondents, although all don't see the situation in the same manner. Certain running brands are said to be working with their run specialty partners on moving release dates on key introductions to prevent margin and price-point erosions in the current inventory environment. "With all the delays and reflows of product, orders from all over the season are showing up now (mid-October), and sometimes unannounced," explained Brad Brown at e Complete Runner in Flint, MI. "It's been a challenge to navigate stock levels in our stores as well as combat the endless discounts we see from manufacturers online." Brown also offered a positive shout-out to all run specialty retailers who have banded together and assisted each other during months of supply chain bumps in the road. "It's been amazing that my fellow brothers and sisters in run specialty have helped keep our customers shopping local." Steph Blozy, co-owner of the Fleet Feet fran- chise in West Hartford, CT along with her sister, Carrie, sees inventory gluts as a potential SHOP TALK Community is key at Charm City Run which recently added new stores in Rehoboth Beach and Gaithersburg. Ray Pugsley, owner, Potomac River Run Store. 26 • November/December 2022 sportstyle • sportstylemag.com Running Specialty Retailers Lean into Successful Strategies from B.C. (Before Covid). By Bob McGee RETAIL / ALL ABOUT THE RUN

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