KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI (NOVEMBER 9, 2021) -- Grassroots Outdoor Alliance today announced the launch of IndieOutdoor (www.IndieOutdoor.com), a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association delivering real-time sales data, local marketing support and a united national voice to all outdoor categories of independent specialty retail.
Introduced to a crowd of member retailers and vendors gathered ahead of this week's Grassroots Connect buying show in Kansas City, IndieOutdoor's straightforward vision is to harness the power of Indie retail sales data, improve consumer understanding of the economic and community value of local businesses, and speak with a collective and inclusive voice on key national topics.
Building on a core of 200 Grassroots member retailer locations, IndieOutdoor is now accepting new membership applications from retailers, brands, associations, and others with a vested interest in the health and growth of specialty outdoor retail.
"IndieOutdoor was built to bring together the national independent retail community," said Rich Hill, president of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance and co-founder of IndieOutdoor. "Through better data, broader marketing, and a cohesive national presence, IndieOutdoor will be a true difference-maker in the ongoing competition with distinctly un-local Big Box retailers."
IndieOutdoor was created by Grassroots in partnership with PivotPoint Retail Solutions, the developers of Grassroots' data insights tool, a platform that provides comparative business performance and inventory analysis using real-time anonymized data-sharing.
A primary benefit of IndieOutdoor membership is participation and access to PivotPoint's data insights, a tool that provides an immediate boost to outdoor retailer planning and decision-making on what to stock, what to sell, and what to mark down. The first Grassroots trend report powered by IndieOutdoor and PivotPoint is now available at www.indieoutdoor.com/grassroots-trends.
"While indie retailers are deeply connected to their local outdoor community and are key drivers in their local economy, they're largely working alone when it comes to the data and marketing tools that the big retailers have used for decades. PivotPoint Insights is the most retailer-friendly and easy-to-use tool in the outdoor marketplace, providing actionable information that improves retailer profits and turns, and strengthens vendor and retail relationships," said Greg Squires, CEO of PivotPoint Retail, and co-founder of IndieOutdoor.
For certified retailers, IndieOutdoor is open to independent owner-operated stores with a minimum of 50% of sales transacted through a physical storefront. Membership includes certification, IndieOutdoor logo usage; monthly insights; semi-annual trend reports; listing on the IndieOutdoor national registry; and collective representation on key outdoor industry issues. An expanded retailer option includes POS connection to PivotPoint; access to real-time data reports; anonymized peer data; inventory tools; and coming opportunities for vendor-funded marketing campaigns.
For certified vendor brands, membership includes store lists; a personal brand database; semi-annual trend reports; monthly insights; and IndieOutdoor logo usage. An expanded brand option includes sales, market share and sell-through data; real-time reports; demand planning and in-season replenishment tools; style and SKU analysis; and coming opportunities for exclusive local marketing campaigns.
For related outdoor associations and buying groups, participation in IndieOutdoor includes customized sector data reports, as well as full membership benefits for all enrolling retailers and brands.
For more information and membership registration, please visit www.indieoutdoor.com.
ABOUT INDIEOUTDOOR: IndieOutdoor is a non-profit inclusive trade association serving the independent outdoor industry. As a 501(c)(6)* initiated by Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, IndieOutdoor aims to elevate the best customer experience offered through local indie retailers and be the advocate arm for indie outdoor shops locally and nationally. In partnership with PivotPoint Retail Solutions, IndieOutdoor provides proven data and marketing tools that help level the retail playing field for indie outdoor retailers. For more information and membership registration, please visit www.indieoutdoor.com.
ABOUT GRASSROOTS OUTDOOR ALLIANCE: Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is a national community working together for the health and growth of specialty outdoor retail. With 96 retailers and 195 doors in 42 states nationwide, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is creating both a vision and roadmap for the long-term success of independent specialty retailers, through data collection and analysis, direct member support, specialty events, and deep vendor partnerships. Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is also recognized as a catalyst for the success of its retailers and vendor partners; an advocate for specialty independent retail; a promoter of education and community within the specialty channel; and a key influencer of the national outdoor industry. For more information on Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, please go to www.grassrootsoutdoors.com.
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