Sports Specialists Ltd. (SSL) has partnered with CCA Sports Retail Services (SRS) to help its retailers reduce operational expenses, improve marketing and generally enhance their performance.
The partnership provides SSL members with an opportunity to save thousands of dollars through CCA’s low rates on credit card processing and consumer financing, discounts on Grainger supplies and ADP payroll processing, and other business savings programs. SRS provides a variety of buying, merchandising, marketing and other services to more than 2,700 independent retailers in four different U.S. industries. It is a divison of CCA Global Partners, which provides such services to independently owned flooring, lighting and interior design shops in the United States and Canada.
“Our partnership with CCA gives SSL members a big competitive advantage,” said SSL President and CEO Steve Rogers. “With over 2,700 locations producing annual sales in the billions, an organization like CCA offers tremendous economies of scale that our members stand to benefit from, and some already have.”
Alan Davis, an SSL board member and owner of Baltimore-based Princeton Sports, became the first SSL retailer to enroll in CCA, which offers members access to a suite of programs and services for a monthly membership fee.
“I can conservatively say that we have added over $15,000 to our bottom line because of the credit card rates we get from CCA,” said Davis.
In addition to operational savings programs, CCA also offers an assortment of discounted, highly effective marketing programs to help retailers drive traffic and sales, including customizable email and direct mail and search engine marketing.
“We firmly believe the value that CCA’s savings and marketing programs will bring to our members is significant, so much in fact that SSL has agreed to cover the first two months of CCA membership for any of our retailers who enroll by Nov. 30,” said Rogers. “CCA has also extended a special offer, where they will pay an SSL member $500 if CCA is unable to beat their current credit card processing rates.”
CCA President Scott Barrett encouraged SSL members to contact CCA Sports Retail Services. “We will conduct a free savings analysis so they can see what they stand to gain by enrolling in our programs,” said Barrett, who also serves as president of The Bike Cooperative, a CCA division focused on serving independent bicycle dealers.
Since 1971, Sports Specialists Ltd. (SSL) has been the leading marketing, purchasing, and merchandising group in the specialty ski, snowboard, outdoor, and casual furniture industries, with over 90 major supplier purchasing programs. The SSL community is made up of 52 retail businesses and over 130 retail storefronts in 26 states and D.C., with over $150 million in total snow sports retail sales.
