So You Started a Retail Program, Now What?

59 messages

10:57:06 Laura Allured (she/her) | CWA

Morning everyone! Thanks for joining us for the second session in our Retail Webinar Series!
10:57:21 Laura Allured (she/her) | CWA

I’m Laura from the CWA, joining from Longmont, Colorado.
10:58:57 Jake Byk

I'm Jake from the CWA joining from Boulder, Colorado!
10:58:58 Paul Guarino - ASCEND Climbing (he/him)

Hi everyone! I’m Paul Guarino from ASCEND Climbing, based in Pittsburgh, PA and Youngstown, OH. Looking forward to chatting with “Yinz” about retail!
10:59:03 Troy

I'm Troy, joining from Eldorado Climbing based out of Louisville, CO. I am hoping to find success launching our new Retail Program.
10:59:38 Amy

Amy here from Edgeworks Climbing in Tacoma WA- want to learn how to be a retail Rockstar like Ascend!
11:00:33 Ann Grinnell

Hi everyone! Ann from Volta Climbing on the coast of Maine. Hoping to open in December — thank you for this series, so helpful!
11:00:42 Todd M (Keystone Climbing Consultants)

Hello everyone!! I'm Todd from Keystone Climbing Consultants. I'm the host for today's call and I'm calling in from Portland, OR.
11:01:04 Tanya Smith

Hi All! Joining from Bismarck, ND. Hoping to continue learning about starting and managing a retail program.
11:01:07 Nathaniel Zwerling

Nathan from Gripstone Colorado Springs, here to glean some gems to keep our retail growing
11:01:59 Jake Byk

Excited to see you all from both coasts of the U.S.!
11:02:35 mary ann kelly

Hi All! Mary Ann Kelly here from Joshua Tree. Train and support coaching from the inside out with nutrition and respiratory training which could fit into your retail program! :-)
11:09:44 Vertex

Hi! I'm Kelly from Vertex Climbing Center here in Nor Cal. Hoping to get some good info regarding growing our retail offerings and how best to promote!
11:10:25 Jake Byk

Hi Kelly! Great to have you!
11:11:11 Jake Byk

If anyone has questions for the panelists while they're talking, drop them in the chat and I'll make sure they get answered after the discussion portion
11:14:49 Troy

What other barriers to entry are there (like cost of holding inventory) when considering a new product for your retail space?
11:18:17 mary ann kelly

Love the puzzle!!
11:18:37 Jake Byk

Mr. Mustard! :D
11:19:39 scott

what is your number one best selling branded item (excluding clothing) and what branded item would you not buy again?
11:20:03 scott

Mug retail price?
11:20:23 Nathaniel Zwerling

what's the wholesale price?
11:20:37 Nathaniel Zwerling

or mark-up
11:20:40 Mercedes

where do you put your stock and backstock?
11:22:26 scott

Mugs retail at 26.95
11:23:18 scott

do you mind sharing what brand of women's tank you used. Very nice!
11:23:23 Amy

where did you get the puzzles from?
11:23:23 Leo van Ulden

What Buff manufacturer did you use? What is cost vs retail price?
11:24:34 brian

Do your branded products sell better then non-branded items? Also what piece of gear Non-branded is most popular for you?
11:24:39 Nathaniel Zwerling

We used "Free Sunshades" (not sure why they say "free). Super cheap to produce ~$5 per buff, and marked up to $20 each
11:26:08 Jake Byk

I'm recording all your questions! You won't be missed :)
11:26:10 Hannah Revelle

How do you sell products online while using RGP?
11:28:47 Amy

our buffs are $3.50 unit/$8 retail. members get 10% off still a good margin
11:29:35 jamesreilly

Did you compensate your employee for the graphic design work? I.e. did she/he make more than a non-graphic design desk person? Did you pay per design?
11:37:02 mary ann kelly

Have you identified any products during covid that would assist the gym in any organizational changes required upon reopening post covid? (thought that the cloth bag could be used for climber's personal inventory when in the gym?
11:43:16 Nathaniel Zwerling

How do you build these kits? RGP allows for you to combine products into kits easily- but are you discounting in a specific way? making certain items free? Gyms do "Intro membership kits" that come with all the gear you need- do you guys navigate similarly, or do you have any nuance to it apart from the norm?
11:49:10 Nathaniel Zwerling

how many boxes do you order, of you order then 2x per year?
11:49:15 Nathaniel Zwerling

if8
11:54:19 Amy

No keep going!
11:54:29 Todd M (Keystone Climbing Consultants)

Thanks Amy!! :)
11:56:37 Todd M (Keystone Climbing Consultants)

If you have questions specifically about inventory or retail management, feel free to reach out to me: todd@keystoneclimbing.com
12:00:38 Hannah Revelle

MOMENTUM SILVER STREET DOES!
12:01:18 Ann Grinnell

I have to run but wanted to say thank you so much!! Cheers!
12:01:25 Jake Byk

Thanks Ann!
12:01:29 Jake Byk

- Todd McCormick, Keystone Climbing Consultants: <todd@keystoneclimbing.com> - Paul Guarino, owner at Ascend Pittsburgh: paul@ascendclimbing.com
12:01:39 Jake Byk

If you need to reach our panelists ^
12:02:15 Nathaniel Zwerling

Really quick: I don't mean how to build it in rock gym pro, I mean conceptually how do you form them. I could say "Buy this harness and get a chalkbag free", or I could say "Buy a harness and chalkbag and get 20% off" that kind of thing
12:02:17 Amy

It's the margin better with the vendor kits then creating one from stock?
12:02:20 Nathaniel Zwerling

just for clarification
12:02:38 Jake Byk

- Todd McCormick, Keystone Climbing Consultants: <todd@keystoneclimbing.com> - Paul Guarino, owner at Ascend Pittsburgh: paul@ascendclimbing.com
12:02:40 Vertex

Thank you so much!
12:02:48 brian

Thanks!
12:02:54 Troy

Thank you, great info!
12:02:59 Tanya Smith

Thank you! Very helpful.
12:05:26 Troy

dat bass line tho
12:05:30 Todd M (Keystone Climbing Consultants)

haha
12:05:36 Jake Byk

:D

SPEAKERS

Todd McCormick

Keystone Climbing Consultants
todd@keystoneclimbing.com

Paul Guarino

ASCEND Climbing
paul@ascendclimbing.com

If you enjoyed this session and want more retail beta, upgrade to the full package! Reach out to us at hello@cwapro.org with questions.