Running by the Numbers

RUNNING BY THE NUMBERS

58% OF 5K RACES are run by women. 61% OF HALF MARATHONS are run by women.

SEVEN OF THE TOP 10 selling shoes in the channel are women’s SKUs. $11.5 BILLION is spent on women’s activewear.

Monday June 29 - Wednesday July 1, 2015 • Navy Pier & W Chicago

GET YOUR SHARE OF THE WOMEN’S MARKET. REGISTER TODAY. therunningandﬁtnesseventforwomen.com For more information contact: Beth Gordon, Show Director: 949-293-1378 / [email protected] THE NEWSMAGAZINE FOR RUNNING SPECIALTY RETAILERS • RUNNINGINSIGHT.COM • JUNE 1 2015 • VOL.7, NO.10

BALEGA’S NEXT STEP Implus Acquires Balega

The Value of In-Store Partnerships Run For Your Life’s New Look Great Store Makeover Video Series F4Media and Sports Marketing Surveys USA Team Up

balega.com bodyglide.com hokaoneone.com pro-tecathletics.com nathansports.com sofsole.com ASI: 30121 • PPAI: 304796 • SAGE: 67729 we are

888 464 3824 | www.A4.com Balega Acquired by Implus

By Mark Sullivan Vore and Seth Richards and high end line of ski and outdoor convince retailers that hosiery has developed a reputation for socks, and Implus will handle should be an important part of alega, the hosiery its expertise in supply chain VKLSSLQJDQGIXOÀOPHQWIRU any shoe sales. company with management, shipping and those orders. Within three years of South African roots distribution. The company Balega entered the U.S. launching in the U.S., Balega Bthat has become has a 300,000 square foot market in 2004, launching at became the number one sock a major player in the run warehouse and distribution a precursor to The Running brand in the channel although specialty business, has been center in North Carolina that Event called The Elite Running over the past few years it has acquired by Implus. is regarded as best in class in Conference held in New York been challenged and at times For Implus, this marks the the sporting goods industry. City. The socks featured a thin overtaken by Feetures! second acquisition of a run Implus has also proven it can GHVLJQPDGHIURPÀQHGHQLHU Implus is backed by private specialty brand in the past year. make acquisitions and develop yarns in factories in South HTXLW\ÀQDQFLQJLQFOXGLQJ Last fall, the Durham-based the brands it purchases. Implus Africa. Balega immediately Berkshire Partners out of conglomerate purchased Trigger tends to retain executives from gained success and began to Boston. Implus will provide Point, the maker of high quality the companies it acquires win share in the running market VWURQJÀQDQFLDOVXSSRUWWKDW foam rollers. Implus execs and says it plans to keep all because of its devotion and will allow Balega to grow and suggested they may continue to the principals from Balega, service to the run specialty enable company principals to add to their specialty portfolio. including husband and wife channel. Balega annually focus on the front end of the Over the past decade, team Bert and Tanya Pictor and presents awards at the Fleet business. “The essence of what Implus has steadily built a former Fleet Feet exec Chris Feet Summer Conference Balega is remains. We will $100 million+ conglomerate Bevin as VP of sales. The team and The Running Event that continue to innovate, provide that includes brands such as of independent reps handling reward retailers for their excellent service and give back Sof Sole, Yaktrax, Penguin, Balega will most likely be commitment to community to the communities in which we Perfect Fitness and now Balega. replaced by Implus sales reps. service. The company helped operate. It is business as usual, Implus has an experienced The Pictors are also U.S. drive up average selling price only much better,” says Bert management team, led by Todd distributors for Falke socks, a in the channel and helped Pictor, founder of Balega. Q

RUNNING INSIGHT® is a registered trademark of Formula4Media, LLC. © 2015 all rights reserved. Jeff Nott ...... [email protected] Editor-in-Chief .. Mark Sullivan: [email protected] Running Insight is published twice each month, is edited for owners and top executives at running Jeff Gruenhut ...... [email protected] Managing Editor ...... Cara Grifﬁn: cgrifﬁ[email protected] Publisher ...... Troy Leonard: [email protected] specialty stores and available only via email.The opinions by authors and contributors to Running Advertise Beth Gordon ...... [email protected] Insight are not necessarily those of the editors or publishers. Articles appearing in Running Insight may Matthew Mauer ...... [email protected] BACK ISSUES SUBSCRIBE not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express permission of the publisher. Formula4Media, runninginsight.com store.formula4media.com LLC, P.O. Box 23-1318, Great Neck, NY 11023. Tel: 516-305-4709. Sam Selvaggio...... [email protected]

Cody Angell and the St. Pete Running Company crew.

Boosting Business with Partnerships

By Daniel P. Smith a smoothie shop, a café or a Company. Angell reasoned massage therapist, but one that Schweitzer’s clientele hen Cody prospective tenant’s name ZRXOGERRVWWUDIÀFIURPNH\ Angell opened emerged time and time again: consumer groups, increase the St. Pete Dr. Eric Schweitzer, a local customer dwell time in the W Running physical therapist who caters store and position the St. Company in April 2014, he to runners and endurance Pete Running Company as a made an ambitious decision athletes. trustworthy solutions provider, Retailers can to simultaneously lease After hearing numerous particularly for the estimated share and spread the space adjacent to his customers tout Schweitzer’s 75 percent of runners who the ﬁnancial risk 2,000-square foot storefront in ability, Angell went to see battle an injury each year. St. Petersburg, FL. the veteran physical therapist “This had to be the right with in-store It might have seemed an odd himself about a leg injury. A partner and there’s no doubt partnerships. It move, but Angell held a brazen few sessions in, Angell was in my mind Dr. Schweitzer can be a bottom plan: recruit a strategic partner convinced Schweitzer was just brings immense value to the to inhabit the neighboring the partner he needed. table,” Angell says. line beneﬁt. space, a synergistic ally In May 2014, the two began On June 15, Schweitzer’s capable of boosting his upstart discussing Schweitzer’s move running and athlete physical UXQQLQJVKRS·VSURÀOH into the 800-square foot space therapy and performance $WÀUVW$QJHOOFRQVLGHUHG next to the St. Pete Running studio, Premier Run N Fit,

6 runninginsight.com © 2015 Formula4media LLC. Are you the circle or the square? Technology is evolving faster than at any time in history and rapidly changing the way consumers shop. Is your business keeping up with this challenge and capitalizing on the exciting opportunities it presents? Aetrex’s 2015 iStep hardware and software platforms are by far the most advanced in-store technology programs available for footwear retailers. By integrating wireless digital foot scanning, cloud computing and interactive “app” based software, iStep delivers increased sales and an authentic hi-tech shopping experience for your customers. Visit aetrex.com or call 800-526-2739 for more information. Ask about our new 4-Free Rental Programs. Boosting Business with Partnerships (continued)

wall, regularly steps onto the VDOHVÁRRUDVVLVWVLQWKHÀWWLQJ process and provides customers “pretty darn clear advice” on injuries, Flatirons manager Greg Weich says. While some running retailers LQVLVWRQÀOOLQJDOODYDLODEOH square footage with product, the Flatirons team sees value in providing space to a strategic partner. Zandi, Weich says, helps expand Flatirons’ client base, especially since he PDLQWDLQVDVHFRQGRIÀFHLQ Denver, while his professional presence combined with the shop’s in-house insole business helps make Flatirons a one-stop shop for customers. St. Pete Running Company will be increasing trafﬁc ﬂow in its store through its new business partnership. “At the end of the day, our goal is to get customers in the will open inside the St. “Exposing more partnerships. Given the store and do right by them and Pete Running Company. intensifying competitiveness [Zandi’s] presence here helps us Schweitzer will see patients people to our store of the retail marketplace do a better, more thorough job on Mondays and Thursdays, can only help. I’m and consumers’ hunger for with that,” Weich says. offering physical therapy and over the moon convenience, Gersch says Productive as these performance enhancement about this.” many independent retailers relationships can be, retailers to runners and endurance are looking to establish must be careful about entering athletes alongside classes and CODY ANGELL differentiation from their big- such deals. Due diligence, workshops. ST. PETE RUNNING COMPANY box brethren as well as other legal guidance and a long-term “I believe having an local competitors. perspective, is a must. evidence-based physical “Consumers are really “There’s risk in any therapist here gives our store In-store partnerships, of wanting the feeling of partnership and you don’t want an extra layer of credibility course, are nothing new in the authenticity and authority,” to jump into anything without and objectivity and will help nation’s retail landscape. Gersch says. understanding the potential customers see that we’re not While banks in supermarkets Partnerships deliver a bottom- partner’s plan, customers, selling snake oil, but are and sandwich shops at gas OLQHEHQHÀWDOORZLQJUHWDLOHUVWR service and quality,” Gersch rooted in science,” Angell stations are two entrenched share real estate costs and boost says. says. examples, national brands their marketing reach with little To that point, Angell Schweitzer’s clients and independents alike have added investment. carefully evaluated Schweitzer will enter the running increasingly embraced such before broaching the idea of a store’s showroom to access cross-collaboration to drive Partnerships in action potential partnership. The duo 6FKZHLW]HU·VRIÀFHDVSDFH WUDIÀFVDOHVDQGPDUNHWSODFH Boulder-based Flatirons spent six months drafting the the doctor is subleasing from differentiation. Running and its previous VSHFLÀFVRIWKHLUGHDO Angell and running as an Kathy Gersch of Kotter retail incarnation, In-Step, “This wasn’t decided one independent business. ,QWHUQDWLRQDODÀUPWKDW have a longstanding in-store night over beers and chicken “Exposing more people works with companies to help partnership with Dr. Sepi wings,” Angell assures. “We to our store can only help,” them respond to marketplace Zandi. The chiropractor, who both want this to be successful, Angell says. “I’m completely shifts, isn’t surprised at SD\VUHQWIRUKLVRIÀFHVLWWLQJ so we took our time to get the over the moon about this.” accelerating interest in such directly behind Flatirons’ shoe details right.” Q

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2XU.COM/XTRM Run For Your Life’s New Look

The design of the new Run For Your Life store in Charlotte makes use of raw brick walls and an industrial steel pipe look.

By Mark Sullivan striking Running Central Store in LQ5)bra wall, behind him. “We’re in a stron- street from The Greenway, one of stocked exclusively with Moving ger cash position now,” he says. the city’s main running paths. Comfort product and a private “Whenever you do something The store was designed by Kyle dressing area separated from the like this, it is a risk, but we feel Baker, who is known for his work PDLQVHOOLQJÁRRUE\DEULFNZDOO staying in the old location and on the re-design of Gazelle Sports The move to the new location doing nothing would have been a in Michigan and the design of the was made possible by a change bigger risk.” Q

Neutral heel cradle for increased support and stability Built-in metatarsal pad spreads and cushions met heads to alleviate pain Dual layer, shock-absorbing Heat and cushioning for friction-reducing comfort top fabric Ideal for: • Morton’s neuroma • Metatarsalgia • Plantar Fasciitis Our Pinnacle support plus • Mild to moderate pronation a built-in metatarsal pad • Heel spurs

Independence Run & Hike in Carbondale, CO is Getting a Store Makeover

View the ﬁrst video in the Great Store Makeover video series as Independence Run & Hike is set to get transformed.

he eight-year-old run specialty store One goal of the store’s new design Independence Run & Hike is getting will be to take the outdoor beauty of a new look as the winner of The Great T Store Makeover, sponsored by ASICS, Carbondale inside the store. Balega, Nathan Sports, Superfeet, 3 Dots Design and Running Insight. The store was selected from dozens of “We carry more apparel then most running nominations to have its store design updated at stores. We carry quite a bit of nicer casual apparel no charge. Owner Brion After says the store was from Brands like PrAna, Lole, Aventura, etc. in most recently updated in 2011 when it moved addition to apparel from Nike, Brooks, Saucony, to this address from its original location, which North Face, Salomon, Sugoi and more. But our opened in 2006. After says he used many of his apparel sales have declined since we moved into RULJLQDOÀ[WXUHVLQWKHPRYHDQGVD\VKHKDV the new store and I think part of that is due to the been eager to try a re-design for several years. OD\RXWDQGROGHUÀ[WXUHVRIWKHVWRUHµ “I bought two awesome mannequins when Holly Weise of 3 Dots Design, who is I opened my store, each six foot tall runners, personally handling the project, says her goal is one male, Karl, and one female, Sheila. People to create more space for apparel and highlight the loved them, I loved them, they cost $450 apiece Makeover sponsors in a design that will take the and I had big dreams for them. Well they spend “outdoor beauty of Carbondale inside the store.” more time scaring the crud out of me in my Over the next three months, Running Insight garage when I go in there at night then helping will publish regular updates on The Great Store sell product. Poor Sheila has lost two hands 0DNHRYHULQFOXGLQJYLGHRUHSRUWV7KHÀUVW SPONSORED BY and has scrapes on her elbow from being blown video can be seen above or here: https://youtu.be/ over in the parking lot, so now she spends her RgJtZtxD-BA time in my garage.” At The Running Event on December 2, Weise After says he hopes to grow his apparel and After will present a case study on The Great business as a result of the re-design, while Store Makeover, discussing the project and how it keeping a strong shoe and accessory business. impacted the store’s sales. Q

Skechers Climbs in Market Share, Remains Top Consumer Brand

dept at quickly shoes debacle that cost the chasing footwear company about $40 million in fashion trends, ÀQHVIURPWKH)HGHUDO7UDGH A developing celebrity Commission over “toning the and athlete tie-ins and offering buttocks” claims, Skechers’ products at moderate “good stock price and credibility have value” price points, Skechers’ each been ascending. SKX credibility with consumers shares currently trade over as a valid and viable athletic $100 and the brand’s value to footwear brand continues to gain momentum worldwide. Fueled by its fashion casual Skechers’ revenues and walking styles, Skechers’ grew 29 percent in revenues grew 29 percent in 2014 to $2.38 billion. 2014 to $2.38 billion. Strong Strong results results continued in Q1 as sales continued in Q1. increased nearly 41 percent to $768 million and net income soared 87 percent to $56.1 the U.S. sne million. During the period, aker-buying public has Skechers’ international revenues remained consistently strong. rose 59 percent to account for After ranking sixth on the 37 percent of overall revenues. Customer Loyalty Engagement One company objective is for Index in 2010, Skechers CUSTOMER LOYALTY INDEX international to eventually MXPSHGWRÀUVWRQWKHDQQXDO 2010 2013 2015 account for half of all revenues. ranking from New York-based Skechers’ domestic market Brand Keys in 2013. This year, 1. New Balance, Nike 1. Skechers 1. New Balance, Nike share increased to 5 percent Skechers is ranked second 2. Air Jordan 2. ASICS, Nike 2. Skechers in the first quarter in the behind Nike. 3. ASICS 3. New Balance 3. Reebok sneaker market, trailing only Brand Keys contends that 4. Adidas 4. Reebok 4. Adidas the dominant 62 percent share what a brand stands for in 5. Reebok 5. Adidas, Brooks 5. Mizuno owned by the Nike/Jordan the mind of the consumer 6. Skechers 6. Under Armour brands, according to NPD “will make an added-value 7. Fila 7. ASICS Group. contribution to engagement, Source: Brand Key. Photo: www.skechers.com Since the “Shape Up” toning purchase and loyalty.” Q

shoe life tracker

Run Worry-Free

Caution Worn-out

Launching in Chicago: > All new mino flex! > Stop by booth 611 for a kick-starter kit! runmino.com Nathan Gets Personal with New Campaign

By Bob McGee

athan Sports is reaching out to runners with a video initiative. N The Sharon Hill, PA company has initiated a user-generated video campaign and contest, community where all runners can “Journeys in Running,” which asks tell their unique stories. Those runners of all levels to share their wishing to participate in the VIEW VIDEOS: Nathan’s Journeys In Running Campaign. personal stories in an effort to pro- video initiative should submit vide inspiration and insight to oth- their #JourneysInRunning videos, ers. The campaign launched with a discussing what inspires and series of video entries that showcase motivates them to keep running, the personal, transformational power to: http://www.nathansports.com/ of running. journeysinrunning/submit-your- Through the original video story. The top three effort that will grow throughout video submissions, as determined the remainder of the year via new by Nathan will be awarded gear inspirational stories from Team from the company with their stories Nathan members and submissions, featured on www.nathansports.com Nathan will create an online and social media. Q

FootBalance Kiosk & Heater

Through its revolutionary FitPro software, FootBalance provides a personalized foot analysis & 100% customized insoles in-store in less than 10 minutes.

Hickory Brands, Inc.

Currex Introduces New Fitting System

By Bob McGee results in less than two minutes. box environment where sales The new system, currently only staff isn’t as highly informed on OTIONQUEST available across the Foot Locker- the store’s shoe assortment. is the name of owned Runners Point chain in The cost to install a new modular, Europe, is now being introduced MOTIONQUEST is project- M in-store set-up in the U.S. and Canada. based since retailers have that utilizes a high-end dynamic The MOTIONQUEST system the opportunity to request pressure mapping system and allows for any brand and shoe a customized interface and computer to measure not only models sold by the retailer to additional features such as static and dynamic foot and be displayed and will offer integration into a retailer’s POS stride information, but also retail staff guidance on helping system. Currex supplies the knee rotation, considered to be customers select the best pressure mapping system, CPU integral factor for identifying shoe and insoles to meet their and touch screens in some cases. MOTIONQUEST is a new modular, the correct running shoe type respective needs. Runners Point The retailer would incur any in-store set-up from Currex. for an individual. The device, has decided against branding its needed, additional furniture which can measure four devices as it wants the in-store purchases. Customization will customers at a time, is being salespeople to be perceived as determine turnaround time, but introduced by insole maker the experts. But Currex North the current MOTIONQUEST Currex. In a typical setting with America CEO Lutz Klein setup with only a logo change two footplates, four athletes can VXJJHVWVWKDWDVSHFLÀFVW\OH can be shipped within two weeks be served simultaneously with might be more relevant in a big of order. Q

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LOW AND 1/4 CREW STYLES M’s Asheville 1/4 Crew / Run Light Cushion W’s Ashville Low / Run Light Cushion Available in both Men’s & Women’s. www.farmtofeet.com Formula4 Media Signs Exclusive Agreement With Sports Marketing Surveys USA

ormula4 Media, F4M will publish highlights of USA will also present a major “We will provide research and LLC has signed this research in its key specialty analysis of the run specialty mar- market analysis that will augment an agreement with retail publications including ket at The Running Event. the original content generated by F Sports Marketing Running Insight, Sports Insight, “Sports Marketing Surveys F4M editors and strengthen what Surveys USA (SMS) that will Team Insight, Footwear Insight is a gem of a company with is already a compelling group of give F4M exclusive rights to and Outdoor Insight on an great information, resources and publications,” Storey said. some of the best research in exclusive basis. Starting in July people and we look forward to Sports Marketing Surveys the sporting goods market. 2015, the research will include working with their team to pro- USA has established partnerships Formula4 Media (F4M), quantitative analysis such as vide our audience with market with a number of key industry publisher of this newsletter, POS data and more qualitative insight and the tools they can’t stakeholders including trade is a multi-platform media research such as the company’s ÀQGHOVHZKHUH²WRROVWKH\QHHG associations, national governing and conference/trade show special quarterly surveys which to better run their businesses,” bodies, and opinion leaders in the company based in Great capture dealers’ attitudes about said Jeff Nott, CEO of F4M. industry. Its clients include top Neck, NY. the business environment and Added Keith Storey, SVP of EUDQGVUHWDLOHUVDQGÀQDQFLDOLQ- Jupiter, FL-based Sports Mar- brand momentum. F4M and Sports Market Surveys USA, stitutions. SMS POS sell-through keting Surveys USA, founded SMS also plan to collaborate and “Formula4 Media is the clear data services enable in-depth in 1985, specializes in industry develop several new research leader in the sports retail catego- analysis of brand, model, price research and analysis in the studies that will provide insight ry and its publications and events point, and product type. Q specialty retail categories includ- into the buying behavior of provide retailers with market ing running, tennis, soccer, ski, American runners. insight and a sense of where the Learn more about SMS at hockey, lacrosse and team sports. Sports Marketing Surveys business is headed.” sportsmarketingsurveysusa.com

exercise experiences, will from Nike, are driving growth to what the retailer describes Running provide two handcrafted, in- in Foot Locker’s running busi- as “modern, comfort running app workouts inspired by The ness that rose mid-teens in the styles.” San Francisco Marathon—The ÀUVWTXDUWHUOHGE\JURZWK “I think that we’re seeing Shorts “Race Day Ready” Freestyle session in FitStar Personal Trainer and “Flexible Finish” in FitStar Yoga. RunKeeper, San Francisco Marathon WKHÀWQHVVWUDFNLQJDSS Strikes Fitness Tech will offer race participants Partnerships a marathon training plan, The San Francisco Marathon RUN365, which features KDVIRUJHGQHZÀWQHVV custom training plans and technology partnerships with delivers a daily training Fitbit, FitStar and RunKeeper scheduled to help novice or in an effort to take runners’ intermediate runners train for Photo credit: www.thesfmarathon.com/the-races/ﬁll. training and spectator full or half-marathon races. from Foot Locker Europe. some nice play in some of the engagement to the next level. ASICS also remains an im- more expensive premium sort A custom Fitbit app for the Premium, Lifestyle portant brand to Foot Locker’s of running silhouettes, Richard Marathon will allow runners Silhouettes Drive Running running consumer. The retailer A. Johnson, FL’s president and and spectators to access Biz at Foot Locker has seen its average selling CEO recently told investors interactive and enhanced Premium-priced, lifestyle price increase slightly re- GXULQJWKHUHWDLOHU·VÀUVWTXDUWHU features. FitStar, one of the silhouettes, including the ZX cently, largely through some conference call. “They’re not largest platforms for delivering Flux from Adidas and Roshe, consumer shift away from always truly technical perfor- personalized video-based Huarache and Air Max styles lower-priced vulcanized style mance-based. But again, most

20 runninginsight.com © 2015 Formula4media LLC. of the shoes that are built to run Lifestyle running shoes are hot at Foot Locker. in aren’t actually used to run in, so I think that customers are ÀQGLQJFRPIRUW³DQGVRPHRI that has to do with the apparel pants of choice looking better with a running sole.”

Puma Promises New Twists for Ignite in Months Ahead cessories that can be worn in the Only two months out of the gym or on the street. starting gate, the Puma Ignite running shoe ($100 MSRP) is Five-Year Labor Contract for said to be performing above ex- West Coast Ports Approved pectations, particularly in Puma’s The International Longshore own stores, as The Cat prepares and Warehouse Union has ap- to refresh the concept with new SURYHGDÀYH\HDUODERUFRQWUDFW material treatments and a dif- ZLWKWKH3DFLÀF0DULWLPH$V- ferent outsole for use in training VRFLDWLRQ7KHÀQDOGHDOZDVDQ- endeavors. To date, the company nounced about three months after has steered clear of offering up a tentative agreement between the any unit projections for Ignite, two groups was struck on Feb. 20. EXWGLGFRQÀUPWRLQYHVWRUVUH- The ILWU-PMA labor dispute, cently that it is increasing Ignite’s which began in Sep, 2014, caused production capacity to eventually delays and slowdowns at 29 West expand the sleekly designed style Coast ports where more than half into three constructions. of apparel and shoes imported First up: new upper material into the U.S. come through before treatments for third quarter and reaching retailers. the back-to-school period that will be simultaneously introduced Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series with an Ignite training shoe on Secures New Corporate a new outsole. Meanwhile, in Sponsor WKHÀUVWTXDUWHURI3XPD Eagle Creek will be the of- intends to introduce the Ignite ÀFLDOEDJDQGOXJJDJHSDUWQHU Ultimate on the market. for four Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series events in the U.S. this year. Shoes.com Eyes Further Through the partnership, the San Growth, Possible IPO Diego company will connect Six months after acquiring the directly with its target audience in Shoes.com web business from the endurance sports space with Brown Shoe Company for an the introduction of its new Pack-It undisclosed price, the Vancouver, Sport line. British Columbia e-tailer that Roger Spatz, Eagle Creek sells more than 400 brands and president, says the company is has over eight million customers FRPPLWWHGWRWKHÀWQHVVPDUNHW in the U.S. and Canada remains and that the brand’s tie in with the on the move. The fast-growing marathon series will enable it to company, which ranks 180th on “showcase the product and brand, Internet Retailer’s Top 500, has raised an additional $45 million Puma’s Ignite shoe is said to be exceeding the brand’s in private funding in what some sales expectations. consider a precursor to an initial public offering by year’s end. Shoes.com recently added the Adidas and Under Armour brands to its merchandise mix, citing a consumer shift to more athletic-inspired shoes and ac-

© 2015 Formula4media LLC runninginsight.com 21 rack Shack co- owners Jon and Running Shorts (continued) T Betsy Hughes have been honored by the Florida Retail Federation as Florida’s FRQÀUPFUHGLELOLW\WRWKHOLQH Higgins of his new role. Retailer of the Year for 2015. and allow us to invest in growing “Having the opportunity to “It’s an honor to have this consumer base.” not only work with family been chosen for this award but with such an innovative when there are so many ING Source Appoints product range is really excit- wonderful, innovative and VP of Sales ing for me.” community-minded busi- lNG Source, pioneer in the lNG Source has generated nesses in Florida,” says Betsy medical and sports bracing mar- strong brand awareness within Hughes, co-owner of Track business practices with com- kets, has appointed Josh Higgins several markets with the Shack. “Jon and I continue mitments to their communi- to the position of Vice President Orthosleeve FS6 Compression to be grateful for the support ties, customers and employ- of Sales. The ongoing growth of Foot Sleeve. Most recently, and loyalty of our customers, ees. FRF issues a statewide the company’s market position, lNG has expanded on their vendors and community.” call for nominations. Eligible sales and expanding product product offering with elbow, The Retailer of the Year retailers are all those who lines has led to new opportuni- wrist, patella, knee and other award, sponsored by the work for, own, or operate a ties for broader market distribu- sleeves using the same Com- Florida Retail Federation (FRF) Florida retail business that has tion and penetration. Higgins pression Zone Technology. since 1999, honors Florida an annual sales volume of $5 most recently served as President lNG Source, Inc. is the retailers who blend sound million or less. Q of Hickory Brands for the past creator and manufacturer ÀYH\HDUVZKLFKRZQVVHYHUDO of OrthoSieeve Compression national brands and licenses in Zone Technology·!, FS6 Com- the foot care and shoe care ac- pression Foot Sleeve, Fee- Retail News & Notes cessory market. tures! Plantar Fasciitis Sleeve, “I’m thrilled to be joining Foot Gym and other sports ohl’s is joining TJ years after Nordstrom rolled the lNG Source team,” said medicine products. Q Maxx and Mar- out NEXT, a secure one-to- K shall’s in off-price one service that enabled retail, launching the Off- customers to directly Aisle by Kohl’s banner in communicate with their Philadelphia in June. The salesperson via their smart- 30,000 square foot concept phone…lululemon’s EVP will sell returned apparel, of Global Retail Delaney accessories and home Schweitzer, who began her goods at 70- to 90-per- career at the Vancouver cent off with all sales ﬁnal. company in 2002, is resign- Macy’s, meanwhile, will test ing, effective May 29… its own off-price format with Retail center owners in the four locations in New York U.S., according to observ- State later this year…J.C. ers at this year’s RECon Penney will begin offering Show, are seeing increased same-day, in-store pickup activity from a number of of online orders in select formats, including discre- markets later this year with tionary sellers such as Nike plans to offer the service at and e-commerce com- all brick-and-mortar loca- panies that are exploring tions in 2016…Nordstrom opening brick-and-mortar has debuted TextStyle at locations. It should be all of its 116 U.S. loca- noted, however, that shop- tions, enabling customers ping center staple anchors to make curated purchases in Target Stores and Kohl’s, from their salesperson or have dialed back their personal stylist via text respective annual openings messaging. The one-of- to about 10 annually from a-kind service comes two 75-100 most recently. Q

Join us in Chicago for the business-to-business conference and trade show designed to focus retailers and brands on the most powerful consumer in the market place.

Conference Presentations Networking Trade Show

Scheduled to Appear at the 2015 Event

Our conference program will offer big picture marketing insights as well as new ideas and tactics you can bring back to your store and begin executing right away.

Unconventional Capture the Mindshare Fit, Female & How to Foster On the Rise and Online The Future of Shopping Strategies and Tactics and the Market Share Tech Savvy Community — While for Today’s Business will Follow Growing Your Business Climate

Stefania Pinton Tom Flierl Erika Napoletano Libby Gill Caitlin Begg Sarah Bowen Shea Jim Dion Sarah Van Elzen Dionco Hanson Dodge Branding Expert Entertainment Executive Founder, YoungTri Co-founder and COO, Dionco Hanson Dodge Another Mother Runner

The Running & Fitness Event For Women is proud to host...

IRRA Apparel Summit She Runs Retail Summer Meeting Running The Next Generation Presented by Presented by Presented by

For exhibitor and sponsor information, contact Beth Gordon, VP and Show Director: 949-293-1378, [email protected] For retail information, contact Mark Sullivan: 646-319-7878, [email protected] Updates on 2015 speakers and trade show happenings: therunningandﬁtnesseventforwomen.com APPARELSUMMIT A strategic event designed to help running stores increase their apparel business.

Key Topics Include:

How do run stores build a customer focused assortment?

How do run stores build a business plan around apparel?

How do run stores build a successful go-to-market strategy for apparel?

How do run stores build a team that is as good at selling apparel as they are at selling shoes?

THE DOUBLETREE HILTON / MAGNIFICENT MILE IN CHICAGO Sunday, June 28 / 1:00PM–5:00PM Monday, June 29 / 8:00AM–1:00PM

Contact: Christina Henderson: [email protected] / Parker Karnan: [email protected]