Grassroots Outdoor Alliance top-line sales reports for member retailers show a 5.8 percent increase in April, extending a growth trend buoyed by increases in five out of the last six months. The group reports 3.6 percent overall growth since January 1 and a 2.5 percent increase nationally over the last 12 months.
Notably, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance positive sales are being led by stores with a single retail storefront—a group reporting growth of 3.9 percent year-over-year. Close behind, stores with two to four doors are up 3 percent in the same period.
“Operating a successful business is about more than just growth,” said Rich Hill, president of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance. “However, there’s no better time to celebrate growth than when it comes from small independent shops.”
Grassroots Outdoor Alliance will mark its 25th anniversary at the upcoming Grassroots Connect buying show in Knoxville, TN, on June 9-12, 2019.
Honoring the milestone with special presentations during their member dinner and Education Day, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance will also celebrate the strong and steady growth.
“These businesses and business owners are truly at the core of local communities across the country, and in many cases are also an important economic engine,” Hill said. “You have to tip your hat to the ongoing commitment of independent specialty retailers.”
Grassroots Connect is designed specifically to improve retail buying results. Scheduled early in the buying cycle, and organized to be simple in layout and design, Grassroots Connect regularly attracts leading independent specialty retailers, vendor brands and outdoor industry media.
Next month’s Connect show will begin with an Education Day (June 8), including a full slate of seminars and presentations, and culminating with the eagerly anticipated Grassroots Dinner & Award night. Retailer and vendor sales appointments, which are pre-booked for all attendees by Grassroots Connect staff, will fill attendee calendars from Sunday to Wednesday (June 9-12).
Highlighting their ongoing commitment to retailer and vendor efficiency, the upcoming Grassroots Connect will also feature increased efforts in conversion to digital sales presentations. At the show, more than 25 percent of attending retailers will be equipped with iPads, while Grassroots Connect organizers will download, store and share digital workbooks from exhibiting vendors and vendor partners. And, to share best practices for implementation, Grassroots Connect will host a Digital Workbook seminar for its members on Saturday, June 8 at 11 am.
“By bringing both retailers and vendors forward together, our goal is to help foster a system that works well for everyone,” said Hill. “Every small step toward the elimination of the paper workbook is a major efficiency boost delivering massive working benefits.”
