As a running store owner, you know your store could serve as a hub of energy and community for your running community. For one, you can offer top-line merchandise runners want. But you could do more. For example, you could provide runners with IRL and virtual training tips and programs. You could host events where top trainers offer participants ideas for increasing their training.
That said, to stay ahead of the competition, you’re always looking for new ways to keep your running store front and center in your community. Look no further. We’ve got you covered! What follows are 7 top tips our team has for you to think about so you can add other elements to make your running store one of the significant hubs in your community. Alright, let’s go!
1. Curate top-tier products
As you know, you want to provide your community with the best products possible at your store. But have you ever thought of adding some top-tier running gear in addition to sneakers and running shoes? For example, you could add great apparel to keep your runners comfortable—and stylish—when doing their early morning and evening runs. You could also add cool limited edition sneaker events and promote online or in-person events for things like limited edition charity auctions.
2. Foster community engagement
And that last point about events brings us to our next point—community engagement at your running store. One of the best ways to be at the center of your community as the ‘go-to’ place is to have plenty of events. So, what can you do aside from sneaker events? As mentioned earlier, you could have training sessions with trainers or even marathoners. You could also do auction events of limited edition sports merchandise to benefit your community’s nonprofit or social program. The possibilities are endless!
3. Knowledgeable and passionate team
Have you noticed that customer service and the customer experience are a bit, eh, these days? Well, that’s an opportunity for your running store. The fact is that people do want to engage with knowledgeable and relational workers. So, this is your opportunity to go above and beyond with your team. You could capture emails and send personalized recommendations on new products when they arrive. Of course, you could have team members engage all customers in the store as they are the best client ever!
4. Runners serving runners
Something else you could do when hiring is to hire avid runners themselves! Think about it. If you have a running store that’s the hub of activity with athletes, runners, and marathoners in your community, well, you want to ensure that you have people on your team who know the lingo and have been there and done that. Nothing better than hiring runners onto your team! Doing so builds customer trust and reinforces the sense of community between customers and your store.
5. Unique store design
You want to promote a dynamic, high-energy place when people enter your store. Why not change things up beyond the bright colors of the merchandise? Add motivational quotes on your walls. How about some music? Why not create interactive displays to get your customers to experience running in sneakers or a road they’d like to try? The fact is that when you create an inviting environment, people are going to want to keep coming back to your running store.
6. Partner with local races and clubs
If you want to be the center of your community, another terrific approach is to partner with others. Chances are that you have running clubs, groups, races, etc., in your community. Reach out to them and explore sponsoring events together. As a running store, you could offer discounts and create an exclusive membership club for your partners and their members. Think creatively and consider how to collaborate with partners so you can create win/win solutions.
7. Lean into sustainability with sneaker recycling
Finally, your running store has another fantastic opportunity to be a hub of your running community. You can become a location for sneaker recycling. In recent years we have seen how climate change disrupts people across our country and the world. By becoming a sneaker recycling location, you can have people come through your doors to drop off old sneakers (and buy new ones). Moreover, you get paid for each pair collected for your store or community outreach efforts.
A running store that’s more than a retail space
You know your store is much, much more than a retail space. In other words, your store is a dynamic place that can be at the heart of your running community. It’s not just about selling products. It’s about sharing the wins and losses that happen with being and staying healthy and fit. So, when you embrace the tips above, you position yourself to stay ahead of the competition because you’re different. In short, you’re better.
© 2023 Sneakers4Good. All Rights Reserved.