[quote]potato wrote:
Maybe instead of the plain Nike/adidas/asics technical tshirts, print your logo on them. People like showing they support local businesses, and they like to show that they run.[/quote
This is a great idea and it works great for easy cheap marketing...get some closeout deals on some tech shirts and print your logo on them mark them at regular price then give them to every customer who purchases a pair of shoes at 50% off. Sell your apparel @ a 20% discount with a purchase of a pair of shoes at regular price.
Don't over cater to your local "elite" runners as they normally don't give a shit about anything but getting free stuff from you. Create a "Team" from everyone who frequents your store..offer those runners who promise to wear a shirt or singlet at races a 10% discount on purchases...make them your ambassadors...
Make sure your employees know how to sell the correct shoe to the customer without putting too much personal bias into the shoes...some people actually like Karhu running shoes, some like Pearl Izumi...even if asics, Brooks, Mizuno..etc sell the best to everyone else..
Lots of great advice on here regarding listening to your customers...customers will pay more at a specialty store even if Dicks, Academy, Sports Authority, etc have the shoes for less...they want a knowledgeable person to put them in the right shoe..
FYI...was told by a local Tri Store owner that Newtons were his highest returned shoe last year and this year so far...take it for what it's worth...if you fall prey to the VFF...stock up on KT Tape, The Stick and Compression socks..trust me...the last 3 love VFF and Newton disciples...it's increased their sales!! If you have the Stick...stay away from the Travel, and Marathon model..too flexible, bring in the Sprinter model..we can't keep them in stock! Foam Roller, and other stick knock offs don't cut it..although Foam Roller folks like the Stick because of it's portability...the knock offs were returned at a higher rate and we just stopped carrying them all together...