The Running Specialty Group (RSG) announced Thursday that it had acquired eight specialty running stores in Greater Detroit, Ann Arbor and Traverse City from co-owners Randy Step and Steve Angerman to become part of the Running Specialty Group (RSG). This brings the total number of RSG stores to 57 nationwide. Details of the agreement were not disclosed.
The first Running Fit store opened in 1984 in downtown Ann Arbor with the eighth store opening last August, also in Ann Arbor. Founder Randy Step will continue to enhance his role in the development and operations of the events division of Running Fit. Steve Angerman will continue to work with vendor relations and manage the retail products. Trevor Step, Randy’s son, will continue as general manager of the retail team and the approximately 100 full- and part-time employees will also remain on staff.
“I am excited and proud for Running Fit to become part of the RSG retail team,” said Randy Step. “The only major changes will be in the back end of the store and the way buying and receiving is done. Running Fit will stay Running Fit,” he emphasizes.
According to Step, the acquisition will allow Running Fit to have a wider selection of inventory with more colors and styles because of the collective inventory and resources available through RSG. He also emphasized that the new alliance will provide additional resources for human resources and the opportunity to offer better benefits to employees.
Running Fit, the leading running store in Michigan, will continue to offer the running community a year-long calendar of imaginative events that provide additional fun and motivation to runners from the novice to elite level. The event division of Running Fit will become a separate company with continued close ties between these stores and the events.
“Our authenticity, the excitement we get by sharing our passion for running while motivating and preparing customers to be life-long runners through our fitting process, our classes, clinics, and weekly runs is what distinguishes Running Fit from other sporting goods stores,” assures Step. “That is not going to change.”
“As with other shops in the Running Specialty Group, the commitment to community and customer connection remains a top priority,” said RSG President Bill Kirkendall. “We’re thrilled to have Running Fit join our team as a premium retailer who knows their running community, understands their customer needs and provides a great resource for our valued specialty running customer.”
The Running Specialty Group (RSG) is a strategic partnership between The Finish Line, Inc. and Gart Capital Partners. It includes 57 specialty running shops in 12 states and the District of Columbia under The Running Company, Run On!, Blue Mile, Boulder Running Company, Roncker’s Running Spot, VA Runner and Running Fit banners. More information, including the particular states in which stores are located, is available at www.run.com
