CEO DATELINE New trade group to represent independent outdoor retailers
CEO DATELINE New trade group to represent independent outdoor retailers
- November 9, 2021 |
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Walt Williams
Nov. 9, 2021
A nonprofit association has formed to represent outdoor recreation retailers not connected to any big-box store chains.
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IndieOutdoor is open to any independent, owner-operated outdoor retailers with 50% of sales transacted through a retail storefront, according to the association's website. The group's members currently include retailers with 200 store locations. The organization has applied for 501c(6) status.
IndieOutdoor was launched by the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, a group of 65 independent retailers, Outside Business Journal reported. The alliance was launched in June to collect data that could aid independent retailers in dealings with vendors, but it soon became apparent the industry needed a separate organization to bring business owners together and speak with a collective voice, Rich Hill, president of the alliance, told the news site.
"We give brick-and-mortar retailers control of their own data and propel indie retail success!" the association says on its website. "Our vision is to guide outdoor enthusiasts to their local independent retailer for the ideal customer experience."
There are more than 1,000 independent retailers in the U.S. and the association is seeking to count most of them as members by 2025, Outside Business Journal reported. The founders of IndieOutdoor are looking to other associations that represent independent businesses, such as the American Booksellers Association and the Brewers Association, as possible models of what their industry can accomplish if business owners work together.
The Boulder, Colo.-based Outdoor Industry Association currently includes retailers among its membership, such as retail chain and co-op REI, which was one of the association's founding members. Still, many of the group's members are outdoor apparel and equipment manufacturers.
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