Mid-November, ROI announced their name change to The Grassroots Alliance. Knowing the back-story, all of us at The Piton were very supportive of the change. We also felt the announcement left the industry with more questions than answers. So, using the blog, we thought we would post a 5 part discussion on The Grassroots Alliance so that by the time we arrive at Outdoor Retailer, we have all have a solid understanding of the group, their mission, and how we as an industry can better support Specialty Retailers.
Post #1: In hokey interview format (HIF), we a get an overview with Dave Matz, Executive Director of The Grass Roots Alliance
The Piton: Dave, what are the specifics of the group?
Dave: We are 32 independent outdoor retailers with 72 locations in 22 states. We started out as a round table group getting together to share information in the early 1990’s. In 1994 we incorporated into a buying group and have been growing ever since. Member List
The Piton: What do you have to do to join?
Dave: The most important thing is a willingness to be an involved and passionate believer in Specialty Outdoor Stores. We are such a small group we can’t afford to have anyone sitting on the sidelines. If you join the group, you have to be willing to play; as in share information and be involved.
Secondly, the group shares its bill paying responsibility, so a good credit history is critical. We work in partnership with our key vendors asking them to do more for our stores, and it’s hard for a vendor to consider doing extra projects with you if you can’t pay on time.
The Piton: Okay, then what’s up with the name change?
Dave: We have been growing our group for the past 13 years and we felt it was time to put a more public face on our organization. Retailers of the Outdoor Industry is a very descriptive trade group name but it doesn’t have much cache as a consumer name. The Grassroots Outdoor Alliance also better encompasses a broader range of what we hope to achieve. We want to highlight our members as the local specialty outdoor store with the beta you need. We have the best and most innovative products, the best local knowledge for whatever activity you are pursuing, the knowledge and commitment to preserve our local recreational resources. We support our communities with our events whether they are races, fun participation events, speakers, clinics or charity fund raisers. All these things make us different from big box stores and Grassroots wants to celebrate these specialty stores.
The Piton: You know that it’s The Piton’s view that a healthy base of Specialty shops is where the magic happens in this industry and agree that The Grassroots Alliance is a good idea.
Dave: I think it fits right in with what you do at The Piton. You are featuring the fringe, the off-beat, the humor that you see in the outdoor industry and we are doing the same. Specialty outdoor retail is not getting easier. Unless you are able to tap into your accomplishments, your knowledge base, your sense of humor and keep giving great service, product and advocacy of our outdoor sports the independent retailer will become a thing of the past.
Piton: You think independent specialty stores are a dying breed?
Dave: I don’t know if I would use those terms but it certainly isn’t getting easier. The retail landscape has changed so much from where our industry began. Today an independent retailer has to be an expert at so many things; buying, merchandising, inventory management, staff management, security, the web, real estate, marketing, etc. the list is endless. Our group allows retailers to use the “collective brain” of our members. We are fortunate to have made many mistakes and are able to share those learning experiences with each other. There is no reason we all have to make the same mistakes over and over. We also quickly pass along the successes we achieve so that other Grassroots members can capitalize on them.
The Piton: What else are you doing to promote the group besides the name change?
Dave: The name change is the tip of the iceberg. We hope to market the group and the unique experience our stores offer with this move. To make our members and what they stand for more visible during this important era of retail transition. We've hired a PR firm, Kristin Carpenter Public Relations (they are great!) to help us get the word out, we are redesigning our website, and we are looking for every opportunity to promote our members and our vendors. We are constantly looking for new members and new ways to work with the vendor community. I’ll keep you posted as events or promotions come up.
The Piton: Thanks Dave, what are we talking about next week?
Dave: Maybe we can dive deeper into our mission statement and I'd like to talk about an organization we are interested in partnering with. If you want some homework, check out http://www.livingeconomies.org/ .
The Piton: See you next Tuesday and you bring the beer next time.
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