FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, the national organization dedicated to the health and growth of specialty outdoor retail, is welcoming three new members to their independent retailer network.
The new Grassroots retail members include Alpenglow Sports (Tahoe City, Calif.), Home Town Sports (McCall, Idaho) and Maine Sport Outfitters (Camden and Rockport, Me.)
“Even though these businesses are separated by thousands of miles, it’s amazing how much they have in common. Each one has been in business for more than 30 years, each one has built an incredibly devoted local following, and each one is truly a centerpiece of their local community,” said Rich Hill, president of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance.
To join the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, retail members go through a lengthy process of prequalification, application, financial review and board approval. Once a member, the list of services and benefits include immediately improved buying programs; exclusive data that meshes national sales trends with real-time input from other specialty retailers; and increased personal access to vendor brands’ sales, marketing and design teams.
Grassroots members also have the opportunity to participate in two invitation-only buying shows -- for which members are reimbursed for travel costs -- as well as an additional two membership meetings a year. During all Grassroots events, member retailers benefit from shared business intelligence, best practices, and sell-through data and sales trend analysis.
“Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is at the tip of the specialty retail spear and understands the needs and challenges of shops like ours,” said Brendan Madigan, owner of Alpenglow Sports. “We're excited to stand on the shoulders of industry giants who have been in the game much longer than us, and supplement their professionalism and expertise with an infusion of our skill set of youth, event expertise and progressive thinking.”
Alpenglow Sports(www.alpenglowsports.com) is an original California mountain shop that has been providing locals and visitors with inspiration, local knowledge and the best equipment for over thirty-seven years. Based in Tahoe City, Alpenglow Sports’ community-minded calendar events includes the Alpenglow Mountain Festival, a nine day celebration of human powered mountain sports; the Alpenglow Winter Film Series, which has raised more than $100,000 since its inception for community causes; and the annual Lake Tahoe Backcountry Demo Event, the largest backcountry demo in north America.
Home Town Sports (www.hometownsportsmccall.com) was founded in 1979 as a ‘little log cabin shop’ by Dean Hovdey and former Olympian Patty Boydstun-Hovdey. In 1994, the shop’s growth and popularity led the way to becoming a destination retail location in the town’s downtown walking district. Fueled by a passion for outdoor adventure, the store is adorned with unique displays from a century of McCall’s ski and outdoor sports history.
Maine Sport Outfitters (www.mainesport.com) two locations in Camden and Rockport are recognized as the premier regional destination for outdoor gear, clothing, and footwear. Founded more than 40 years ago, Maine Sport Outfitters retail and rental operations are complemented by a vast selection of outdoor trips and instructional programs, ranging from fly tying classes to guide certification.
ABOUT GRASSROOTS OUTDOOR ALLIANCE: Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is an active, independent network of 64 independent retailers working together for the health and growth of specialty outdoor retail. Through data collection and analysis, direct member support, specialty events and deep vendor partnerships, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is creating both a vision and roadmap for the long-term success of independent specialty retail. Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is also recognized as a catalyst for the success of its retailers and vendor partners; an advocate for specialty independent retail; a promoter of education and community within the specialty channel; and a key influencer of the national outdoor industry. For more information on Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, please go to www.grassrootsoutdoors.com.
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