The National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA), Hockey Dealers Association (HDA) and Sports Distributors of Canada Ltd. (SDC) jointly announced a unique collaboration which will allow NSGA and HDA member retailers and team dealers access to the group buying power of SDC's members for the purchase of ice hockey equipment.
SDC will extend its vast ice hockey expertise and buying strength to members of NSGA and HDA, its division for specialty hockey retailers. NSGA and HDA will participate in all levels of SDC's hockey business, including their annual hockey show, buying programs and special make up product offerings, as well as have representation on the SDC Hockey Committee.
According to NSGA's President & CEO Matt Carlson, “NSGA actively seeks opportunities to collaborate where there is mutual benefit. This relationship does just that. We're excited to work with a partner like SDC. Brad Hause and the SDC team bring incredible hockey expertise that will greatly benefit our members. We're also excited that the group's 164 members will be able to receive the valuable membership benefits of NSGA as part of a master membership agreement.”
Brad Hause, President of SDC echoed Carlson's optimism and excitement. “The partnership is a win-win for both groups. HDA is made up of a group of independent hockey retailers much like our members and this will give them access to one of the top hockey buying groups in the world. Conversely, this will allow us to expand our footprint and in so doing, further strengthen our buying power and relevance with our vendor partners, as we align ourselves with a very strong group of hockey retailers south of the border.”
The agreement includes a number of provisions, including that all participating U.S. hockey retailers will be members of NSGA. In addition, interested participants will undergo a vetting process led by SDC that will ensure credit worthiness and customer-focused business practices.
“While we want to make this collaboration as widely available as possible, this collaboration will only be successful if the right partners are brought on board,” Hause said. “There may be companies expressing interest in the program that may not fit the criteria, so it's not for everyone.”
The agreement between NSGA and SDC will take effect immediately; however the true impact of the partnership will be realized when the two groups combine efforts this fall as they plan for the 2014 hockey season.
For U.S. hockey dealers interested in more information on the collaboration, please visit www.nsga.org/HockeyCollaboration, or contact HDA Co-Managing Director Marty Maciaszek by emailing mmaciaszek@nsga.org.
