The relationship between trade association the Running Industry Alliance (RIA) and retail buying group STAG is being expanded. Going forwards, RIA will work more closely with STAG’s specialist run-focused retailers to gain additional retailer insight and will be part of the newly formed Retailer Action Group.
STAG Buying Group (STAG) originally joined RIA as an alliance partner when RIA launched in January 2022, and the two organisations have been working together on RIA’s retailer vertical over the last two years.
Going forwards, STAG retailers will be sharing feedback from the ’shop floor’, providing insight from a key aspect of the B2B side of the running industry. Furthermore, they will aim to form part of a wider collective voice of specialist-run retail with other RIA members, raising the profile and importance of retail, both bricks & mortar, omnichannel and online (B2B2C).
This wider retailer group with core members from run-focused retailers will be invited to diarised retailer ’town halls’ and the Retailer Action Group hosted by RIA’s Jonathan Midwood.
Jonathan Midwood is leading the retail vertical at RIA to help foster a deeper understanding of the retail vertical.
A release from RIA added… ‘The Retailer Action Group not only provides a platform for feedback that will help shape future themes and actions, it will also be a catalyst for broadening discussions with other retailers and encourage retailers to constructively share their voice.’
A broader pool of retailers will also lead to potential referral opportunities for other RIA members including brands, and can support projects with a specific retail or B2B2C focus.
Jonathan Midwood, Co-Lead of RIA and Lead of Retail, said “We are pleased to be working more closely with STAG Buying Group and are looking forward to a productive collaboration with STAG’s run-focused specialist retailers.
“This collaboration is part of a longer-term strategy for retailers in the running industry. The aim is to gain valuable feedback and insight that will help develop new initiatives and projects to advance the B2B and B2B2C nature of the collective running industry.
“Retail provides a valuable service to a very active and deeply passionate community, namely runners. Understanding the shop floor more deeply and gaining further access to brick-and-mortar retailers will be a key element in continuing to collaboratively improve the sport and business of running. We are looking forward to taking the relationship with STAG to the next level, and we are grateful for their continued support of RIA.”
Ward Robertson, Chairman of STAG Buying Group, said ”We are keen to work with RIA in cultivating momentum to amplify the independent run specialist retailers. We believe together we can embark on a venture to empower and elevate the indispensable run specialist retailers, heralding a new era of innovation and camaraderie within the running sphere.
“With unwavering enthusiasm STAG and our run specialist retailers anticipate the opportunity to fuse our passion for retail with RIA’s expertise, propelling these vital businesses to new heights of recognition and success, whilst also celebrating the vibrant tapestry of the run community. We look forward to championing the invaluable contributions of run specialist retailers to foster an environment where every stride counts.”
