puma seeks spark
Transcription
puma seeks spark
THE NEWSMAGAZINE FOR RUNNING SPECIALTY RETAILERS • RUNNINGINSIGHT.COM • FEBRUARY 17, 2015 • VOL.7, NO.3 PUMA SEEKS SPARK BRAND LAUNCHES NEW IGNITE RUNNING SHOE RUN SPECIALTY PIONEER PASSES AWAY MAKING THE MOST OF RACE SPONSORSHIPS SPOTLIGHT ON INSOLES Usain Bolt dons Puma’s new Ignite footwear. balega.com bodyglide.com hokaoneone.com pro-tecathletics.com nathansports.com sofsole.com ASI: 30121 • PPAI: 304796 • SAGE: 67729 we are 888 464 3824 | www. A4 .com Puma Seeks Spark with New Ignite Shoe The Ignite will be available in March. MSRP $100. By Mark Sullivan ntent on becoming a factor in the running category, Puma pulled out all the stops last week in unveiling its Ignite performance running shoe, a sleekly designed model that uses a foam technology. The Ignite will retail for $100. The shoe will be in Puma brand stores on March 5. It will ship to broader distribution, including run specialty, on March 14. Puma execs see the Ignite as their major opportunity to crack the performance category and within a year will use “Ignite foam” across almost all running shoes as well as most training models. Puma launched the shoe last week in New York City with a I global press event that featured most of the company’s top brass, media from around the world and Puma’s major running asset Usain Bolt, who bantered with reporters (see page 6). Bolt is featured in a 30-second spot to help launch Ignite and says he has been training in the shoe for the past 90 days. After the press conference, Puma took over a city block in Time Square where Ignite shod runners ran on treadmills where they generated power to light up the crossroads of the world. Whether Puma can light it up at retail over the next six months will be determined by the success of the new shoe. The selling point of the shoe is a polyurethane blend foam technology that the company says makes the shoe lightweight RUNNING INSIGHT® is a registered trademark of Formula4Media, LLC. © 2015 all rights reserved. Running Insight is published twice each month, is edited for owners and top executives at running specialty stores and available only via email.The opinions by authors and contributors to Running Insight are not necessarily those of the editors or publishers. Articles appearing in Running Insight may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express permission of the publisher. Formula4Media, LLC, P.O. Box 23-1318, Great Neck, NY 11023. Tel: 516-305-4709. 4 runninginsight.com (the men’s model weighs 10 ounces), responsive and energyreturning. The Ignite is part of the new wave of running shoes that does QRWÀWQHDWO\LQWRWKHWUDGLWLRQDO paradigms of Stability, Cushioning or Neutral. Jacob Garcia, a Puma designer who worked on Ignite, says the shoe “checks off both the neutral and cushioning boxes,” and also has stability elements. Puma is also pushing a durability factor in the shoe by way of a piece of ForEverFoam, another polyurethane blend adapted from car bumpers, placed in the heel. The brand will back the shoe with a major promotional push that will include TV and digital marketing, as well as grassroots events. The brand previewed Jeff Nott .......................... [email protected] Jeff [email protected] Advertise Beth Gordon ............ [email protected] Matthew Mauer [email protected] Sam [email protected] a slick video called “Ignite Tokyo,” that featured Japanese runners on their favorite routes through that city and will follow that up with similar pieces featuring New York and Miami. The brand will also dispatch “speed police” in key markets who will ticket runners for going WRRVORZDQG´ÀQHµWKHPZLWKD pair of Ignites. In addition to Bolt, Puma will utilize Super Bowl 49 hero Julian Edelman, especially in New England and its newest endorser pop star Rihanna. “She’s in phenomenal shape because of all her dancing and we believe we can cast a new light on training by featuring her in that context,” said Puma SVP marketing Tara McRae, adding that Puma will “use every asset” it has to tell the Ignite story. Q Editor-in-Chief .. Mark Sullivan: [email protected] Managing Editor ...... Cara Griffin: cgriffi[email protected] Publisher...............Troy Leonard: [email protected] BACK ISSUES runninginsight.com SUBSCRIBE store.formula4media.com © 2015 Formula4media LLC. Puma Seeks Spark with New Ignite Shoe (continued) The Freewheeling Usain Bolt H ow serious is Puma about its new Ignite footwear? So serious that the brand brought in the world’s fastest pitchman Usain Bolt to its product launch event in New York City. Bolt spent time with reporters from around the world, with whom he discussed everything from shoes and training to his love for the Green Bay Packers. “I was rooting for the Patriots at the Super Bowl because the Seahawks beat Green Bay and they’re my team,” Bolt said. The Packers were the first team Bolt saw when NFL games were broadcast to his native Jamaica. He admitted his devotion to the Packers has run hot and cold over the years, “but they’re good now, so I’ve been following them closely.” Meeting NBA great Michael Jordan was Bolt’s Super Bowl highlight and he admitted to being nervous when talking to him. “We talked about his team and what’s going on in the NBA,” Bolt said. “I didn’t want to talk to him about his career or history.” Bolt said he did not discuss his very famous dunk in the 2013 NBA Celebrity All-Star game with His Airness. “I don’t think I’ll be dunking again any time soon,” Bolt said. “My coach (Glen Mills) wouldn’t like that.” Headlamps Designed For Runners Bolt also said he met former Yankee Derek Jeter and Washington Redskins QB Robert Griffin III. “I asked him how he stays focused when so many people are running at him,” Bolt said. “I also asked him how he finds secondary receivers and remembers more than 200 plays.” Regarding his own sport, Bolt said he was looking forward to returning to the Bird’s Nest in Beijing in August for the IAAF World Championships in August. “It will be my first time there since the 2008 Olympics, so I’m excited. I expect a great crowd.” Bolt also says he’s healthy and looking forward to a good season in preparation for the 2016 Olympics in Brazil. “I always use one season to prepare for the next and part of 2015 will be devoted to getting ready for the Olympics.” Although he has stated he’ll retire after The World Championships in London in 2017, Bolt admits he’d have trouble hanging up his Pumas if he lost to one of his rivals. “That would be tough,” he said. Bolt says he’s tested the Ignites and likes their lightness and cushioning. “I get all the good stuff first.” He says he’s committed to helping Puma “sell more shoes” and that he plans to stay with them until the end of his career. “They’ll never get rid of me.” ™ ™ Switch on to Run-Right Light™ from NATHAN. Because you’re a runner, not a rock climber. Contact your NATHAN rep and reserve yours for Fall ‘15! 6 runninginsight.com CONTACT NATHAN SEE. BE SEEN. RUN LONGER. nathansports.com © 2015 Formula4media LLC. INTRODUCING MCS ( MUSCLE CONTAINMENT STAMPING) THE FUSION OF THE HUMAN BODY + 2XU COMPRESSION TECHNOLOGY FOR HUMAN PERFORMANCE. MULTIPLIED. COMING FEBRUARY 2015 THE WORLD’S MOST ADVANCED COMPRESSION TECHNOLOGY Insoles Kick Up Their Heels Footbeds Race to Capture the Wellness and Performance Markets. Icebug ArchFlex Slim MSRP: $49.95 There will come a time, in the not too distant future, when footbeds will be standard features in every shoe style from high heels to flip-flops. 8 runninginsight.com By Nancy A. Ruhling ver-the-counter insoles are taking the industry by storm. Long an accessory afterthought or an expensive prescription option, they are stepping up their pace in two major burgeoning categories: performance and wellness/pain relief. Runners (and weekend O sprinters) are inserting them into their shoes in the hopes of winning the race without getting aching feet. As the category expands – some shoe brands, notably New Balance, have added insoles to their lineup – there will come a time, in the not too distant future, when footbeds will be standard features in every shoe style from high heels WRÁLSÁRSV 10-Seconds’ Flat Foot Sport Insole, $35, is the only patented full-length insole that keeps the feet in alignment with the ankles, knees and hips, thereby stopping over-pronation and relieving pain. Invented by orthopedic surgeon Michael Pryce, who KDGÁDWIHHWWKHLQVROHIHDWXUHV Poron cushioning; an anti-blister top cover; and a Biostatic antimicrobial top cover. CurrexSole’s RUNPRO, © 2015 Formula4media LLC. Swiss Engineering CONCRETE MADE EASY. Run on clouds with the all-new On Cloudcruiser. The ideal companion for long-distance or high impact-runners. Insoles Kick Up Their Heels (continued) currexSole RUNPRO MSRP: $49.95 $49.95, LVVSHFLÀFDOO\GHVLJQHG for runners. The pre-fabricated insole, a companion to the brand’s RWKHUVSRUWVVSHFLÀFIRRWEHGV has a deep heel cup, triple layers for optimum moisture wicking; dynamic arch technology made from silver Nylon 6 composite for natural foot guidance; a special Superfeet Carbon MSRP: $54.95 forefoot material that fosters dynamic propulsion; a Poron cushion; a decoupled heel for reduced pronation; and a zero millimeter drop. It weighs in at 1.41 ounces (medium size). As do the brand’s other insoles, the RUNPRO has a different design, rigidity of the arch and height for the 15 sizes it is offered in. Dr. Scholl’s EDGE Sport and EDGE Sport + line for men and women, the brand’s ÀUVWHQWU\LQWRWKHSHUIRUPDQFH market, is designed for a variety of activities. ('*(6SRUWDWULPWRÀW Sof Sole FIT MSRP: $39.99 insole that retails for $24.99, helps reduce muscle fatigue in the arms and legs. It offers layered comfort: massaging gel waves, an arch shell and gel heel pad. EDGE Sport +, $34.99, helps prevent pain for those with shin splints, runner’s knee and plantar fasciitis. Its triple zone Remember 10-Seconds for all of your running needs. Check out our diverse selection of insoles colorful re°ective laces cleaners and more. 10 runninginsight.com © 2015 Formula4media LLC. SIDAS 3Feet MSRP: $ 50 protection system – thick ball of foot; proprietary arch design and heel padding – reduces shock by 40 percent. The brand will introduce Plantar Fasciitis, Boot, Cool and Dry insoles later this year. FootBalance’s MAX, $79.99, is an in-store custom-molded © 2015 Formula4media LLC Shock Doctor Women’s Ultra MSRP: $44.99 insole designed for performance athletes and those who engage in robust recreational activities. With its stiffer core that provides support for wearers with excessive over-pronation, it works well with stiffer footwear such as steel-shank hiking and mountaineering boots. Sorbothane Women’s Ultra Sole MSRP: $25.95 Icebug’s ArchFlex Slim, from the Swedish shoe brand, has two millimeters of cushioning and is designed for use in running, sports or dress shoes where volume is an issue. Designed by Ortolab AB, the leading Scandinavian orthopedics lab, the $49.95 insole is dynamic; FootBalance MAX MSRP: $79.99 it works with the foot shape, activity and body to provide the right amount of support. It is offered in three shapes – KLJKORZDQGÁH[LEOH²DQG sizes for customization. It also features a metatarsal arch support for forefoot comfort. The Lynco L400 Orthotic, runninginsight.com 11 Insoles Kick Up Their Heels (continued) 10-Seconds Flat Foot Sport Insole MSRP: $35 SOLE Softec Response Footbed MSRP: $25.95 part of the brand’s sports series, is the only orthotic on the market that uses the iStep digital foot scanner to measure foot size, arch type and pressure points to immediately custom select the proper insole. Lightweight and resilient, the L400 includes a soft CopperGuard top cover made IURPVWDWHRIWKHDUWFRSSHUÀEHUV to help prevent bacteria, fungi and odor. Other features include an advanced arch support; a ProShox center layer for comfort and shock reduction; and an AeroCell polyurethane core for support and shape retention. New Balance’s IUAS 3810 Supportive Cushioning Insole, $45ÀWVWKHEUDQG·VDWKOHWLF casual, dress and hiking shoes, which have removable footbeds. It is packed with technical features: It has Absorb pods with Poron to provide shock absorption and cushioning at the heel and forefoot; a contoured 12 runninginsight.com Powerstep Pinnacle Pink MSRP: $37.95 Voxxsol Performance Insole MSRP: $39.99 Lynco L400 MSRP: $59.95 Spenco Total Support MSRP: $39.95 metatarsal arch rise that redistributes pressure and can help prevent and provide relief from plantar fasciitis, Morton’s neuroma and metatarsalgia; and an anti-blister, Microzap antibacterial top cover. The latex- and PVC-free insole also has a deep heel cup and external heel and arch support. Powerstep’s Pinnacle Pink, $37.95, offers women a fashionable, as well as a supportive and cushioning, option for their running shoes in a market dominated by malecentric designs and colors. The same design as Powerstep’s best-selling Pinnacle orthotic, it has a polypropylene shell encased in dual-layer shock-absorbing cushioning that features targeted, controlled cushioning; built-in arch support and heel cradle to control motion; and a heat- and friction-reducing top fabric. SIDAS’ 3Feet, designed for sports that involve dynamic foot ÁH[LRQLVFRQVWUXFWHGEDVHG on arch height. Available in WKUHHVL]HVWRÀWDYDULHW\RI Long an accessory afterthought, insoles are stepping it up in the performance and wellness categories. foot shapes from low to high arches, the ethylene vinyl acetate insoles, $50, have a bamboo top cover that has anti-bacterial and anti-odor properties; an ECO Ortholite layer for more cushioning and comfort; a gel pad under the heel; forefoot perforations for breathability; and a measuring device that helps the athlete make the right size choice. Shock Doctor’s RE+ Women’s X-Active, $34.99, and Women’s Ultra, $44.99, are engineered and lasted for female athletes. They are part of a new sub brand called Shock Doctor RE+, a collection of performanceimproving, wellness/athlete care and recovery products that also includes sports medicine/sports therapy, compression sleeves and socks and ice therapy wraps. The insoles, which are narrower through the heel and mid-foot, longer in the arch DQGZLGHULQWKHIRUHIRRWWRÀW a woman’s foot, feature an arch that adapts to the foot shape, a motion-control bar that aligns the foot to reduce body stress; full-foot recycled ethylene vinyl acetate foam and shock pads; and a mid-foot shock dome that relaxes the foot and helps relieve plantar fasciitis. Sof Sole’s FIT, $39.99, has EHHQUHGHVLJQHGIRUWRÀW VSHFLÀFIRRWW\SHVDQGSURYLGH © 2015 Formula4media LLC. HOK AONEONE.COM MIKE WARDIAN – ELITE ENDUR ANCE RUNNER THIS IS NOT A SHOE. THIS IS AN INVITATION. TO GO LONG. TO GO FOR THE MILE REPEATS. TO GO FOR THE RECOVERY DAYS. TO GO STRIDE IT OUT. TO GO IT ALONE. TO GO WITH THE FRIENDS WHO DEMAND AS MUCH OUT OF EACH MILE AS YOU DO. TO GO BECAUSE THERE ISN’T ANYBODY WHO CAN TAKE IT AWAY FROM YOU WHEN YOU’RE DONE. TO GO BECAUSE YOU CAN. DESIGNED LIGHT, STABLE AND WITH SUPERIOR CUSHIONING, THE BONDI 4 INVITES YOU TO GO FURTHER THAN YOU DID YESTERDAY. TO GET FASTER FOR TOMORROW. LET’S GO. Insoles Kick Up Their Heels (continued) New Balance IUAS 3810 Supportive Cushioning Insole MSRP: $45.00 Dr. Scholl’s EDGE Sport line MSRP: $24.99 to $34.99 14 runninginsight.com extra comfort and stability. It features new shock-absorbing ethylene vinyl acetate foam density for each arch type (low, neutral and high); more stabilizing heel and arch plates; and a softer more comfortable top cover. SOLE’s Softec Response Footbeds, $45, are heat- or wear-molded to the feet for a FXVWRPÀW Comprised of a one-piece variable-density ethylene vinyl acetate base, the insole reduces plantar fascia strain, increases balance and feel and improves natural-heel cushioning. Features include 1.6 millimeters of Softec cushioning topped with a moisture-wicking top sheet, generous arch support and a deep heel cup. Spenco’s Total Support Trio of insoles – thin, original and max – offer different cushioning and support depending on the wearer’s activities and preferences. The insoles, $39.95, feature metatarsal pads; pods of varying degrees of hardness beneath NH\DUHDVRIWKHIRRWWRÀQH tune movement and reduce over-pronation; medial, lateral and transverse arch support; a deep heel cup; and the First Ray 'URS=RQHWKDWDOORZVWKHÀUVW metatarsal to drop naturally to promote a more natural transition into the next gait cycle. Sorbothane’s Ultra Sole, which is available in a women’s and men’s version, is designed to absorb shock and return energy. It gets its signature from Many runners are using insoles in the hopes of winning the race without getting aching feet. Sorbothane, a material that cradles the foot in comfort and protects the body by absorbing 94.7 percent of the impact shock, in the heel insert and strategic gel pods. It also has a lightweight, contoured base that cups the heel and supports the arch; a 3RURQOLQHUWRÀJKWPRLVWXUHDQG fungus; and a brushed polyester fabric top cover. Superfeet’s CARBON, the brand’s thinnest insole, is made of EVOLyte, a blend of polymer DQGFDUERQÀEHUPDWHULDOWKDW allows the stabilizer cap to be as strong as it is slim. CARBON, $54.95, sports a VWUXFWXUHGKHHOFXSDORZSURÀOH biomechanical shape, foam perforations under the forefoot and mid foot and an organic, odor-control coating. Voxxsol’s Performance Insoles, $39.99, relax the cranial nerves by activating dermatomes or chiropractic neuro-points on the foot to feed the mid-brain region that controls exoskeletal muscle strength, the vestibular and respiratory systems and kinesthetic awareness. According to the brand, the PXOWLGHQVLW\FXWWRÀWLQVROHV – one for women, one for men – increase power by 25 percent; improve range of motion by 15 degrees; improve balance by 10 percent; boost overall stamina and recovery; and reduce foot pain by 98 percent. Anatomically correct, they have a deep heel cup and are made of a comfortable polyurethane material. The brand, which is focusing on the running and wellness markets, has partnered with Dunlop Sports to launch sportVSHFLÀFLQVROHVIRUWHQQLV squash/racquetball and golf. Q © 2015 Formula4media LLC. Are you the circle or the square? Technology is evolving faster than at any time in history and rapidly changing the way consumers shop. Is your business keeping up with this challenge and capitalizing on the exciting opportunities it presents? Aetrex’s 2015 iStep hardware and software platforms are by far the most advanced in-store technology programs available for footwear retailers. By integrating wireless digital foot scanning, cloud computing and interactive “app” based software, iStep delivers increased sales and an authentic hi-tech shopping experience for your customers. Visit aetrex.com or call 800-526-2739 for more information. Ask about our new 4-Free Rental Programs. s p i h s r o s n o p S e c a R f o t s o M e h t g n i k a M Tri-State Running Company sponsored about 100 local races last year. How to Invest in the Right Races and Get a Bottom-Line Benefit. 16 runninginsight.com By Daniel P. Smith ast year, the Tri-State Running Company, a two-store operation based in the Cincinnati area, sponsored about 100 local races, varying its support among smaller community races and more elaborate productions, such as the Queen City’s heralded Flying Pig Marathon and the 25,000-runner Heart Mini-Marathon in Cincinnati. “We want to help races as much as we can,” Tri-State Running director of marketing and special events Melissa Helton explains. L Deciding which races to support – and to what extent – is becoming an increasingly challenging feat for running specialty shops. Which races make the cut? As the number of races continues to swell at an annual clip – topping a record high of 28,000 in 2013 according to Running USA – retailers are being forced to strategically examine which races warrant support and, even more, how that investment of time, effort and/or money can boost retail store results. Providence, RI-based Rhode Runner sponsors about 50-60 races each year, marketing manager Eric Lonergan says. As much as the store might like to support every local race to the utmost extent, it’s simply not a feasible endeavor. That reality requires the Rhode Runner team to prioritize the events that best match its culture, customer base and connections. For instance, Rhode Runner holds a strong relationship with one of Providence’s most prominent race directors, a man who was, in fact, Lonergan’s high school coach. “Whatever races he has, we’re involved in,” Lonergan says. “We know they’re going to be well-run © 2015 Formula4media LLC. THE NEW A400. WE JUST REINVENTED THE TECHNOLOGY WE INVENTED. Introducinng th thee mo most stt adv dvan ance an cedd sp ce spor o ts com ompression wear on the pl plan anet e . No et Noth t in th ingg el else s is provven to makee you trai a n ha h rd rder err, peerf rfor orm or m long ngger and recover faster. Nothhinng el else se iss beettter at maaki k ngg you ou bet e ter. tee You’ Yo u re wel elco coome me.. deal de aler ers. s.us@s @skiins n .n .net et 11-80 8000-99 99-S -SKINS NSS N Cust Cu stom omer e Serrvi vice vice c : 76600 20 203-36630 30 Making the Most of Race Sponsorships (continued) events that draw a good number of locals.” For Rhode Runner, the local draw remains of critical importance. Lonergan routinely asks race directors to provide information on the total number of runners, where participants are coming from, ages and other important demographic information. That type of data, Lonergan says, helps Rhode Runner determine its sponsorship priorities. To wit: while the Cox Sports Marathon captures headlines each year, Lonergan says that 26.2-mile race attracts a large number of out-of-towners. By contrast, the CVS Downtown 5K in Providence attracts about 7,000 runners, the vast majority of them local, which makes that event among the store’s highest race sponsorship priorities. In determining where it will place its support, Helton says Tri-State Running asks similar questions: Do we have a personal connection to the race? Is it nearby? Does the race support our desired clientele? “We want to make sure we’re putting our best efforts into the races we believe can have an impact on our stores,” Helton says, adding that Tri-State will “jump on” virtually any race that supports the high school market, 18 runninginsight.com such as a cross country or track team hosting a charity 5K. However, just because a race is nearby, features a high number of local residents or drives awareness with targeted prospects, those factors alone are not enough. Rhode Runner investigates the coordination and leadership of any race it supports. With newer race directors, in particular, Lonergan will run one of the director’s existing events to assess its set up and organization. “We don’t want to be involved with any shoddy races because WKRVHZLOOUHÁHFWSRRUO\RQXVµ Lonergan says. the bottom line.” His store is the race headquarters and packet pickup spot for every Track Shack-owned race, which Hughes says jumpstarts sales. “And the bigger the event, the bigger the spike in sales,” he says. Many other running shops, particularly those without the advanWDJHRXVRZQHUVKLSRIVSHFLÀF How Race Sponsorship Can Drive the Bottom Line While sponsoring races delivHUVDKRVWRIVRIWEHQHÀWVUDQJing from community goodwill to marketplace awareness, stores ultimately hope to translate their involvement into customers, WUDIÀFDQGVDOHV “We always want to get people in our doors,” Lonergan says. For many running shops, that means one of three things: 1. Hosting packet pickup Jon Hughes of Track Shack in Orlando, which owns and produces its own races, calls in-store packet pickup “the best way to impact races, negotiate packet pickup as a condition of their sponsorship. Rhode Runner hosts multiple days of packet pickup for the aforementioned CVS Downtown 5K, Providence’s largest race, as well as smaller races, which Lonergan says should not be minimized. “Anytime you’re getting people into your doors, it’s a good thing,” Lonergan says. “The bigger the event, the bigger the spike in sales.” JON HUGHES TRACK SHACK, ORLANDO 2. Exclusive participant offers Providing race participants exclusive offers, often buoyed by a vendor’s involvement, can JHQHUDWHWUDIÀF With the popular three-race Tour de Patrick last March, Rhode Runner and New Balance offered a free race entry to any customer who purchased New Balance shoes. A limited-time offer to create urgency, the special deal was emailed to some 50,000 local runners. Track Shack and Brooks took a more creative approach with the OUC Orlando Half Marathon. The Royal Flush promotion provided race participants who purchased Brooks merchandise at Track Shack exclusive access to VIP bathrooms on race day. 3. Race rewards Providing race rewards, namely gift cards in modest denominations, is another method to turn race sponsorship into a bottomOLQHEHQHÀW7UL6WDWH5XQQLQJ routinely provides gift cards to race directors to use as age JURXSJLIWVRUUDIÁHSUL]HV7KH gift cards typically max out at $25, which, Helton says, spurs higher spending at the store and also minimizes the impact on margin. “[Providing a number of gift cards in smaller denominations] allows us to give to a lot more races… but also leads people into our stores to purchase product,” Helton says. Q © 2015 Formula4media LLC. THERE IS A TICKR FOR THE WAY YOU TRAIN. The TICKR family of wearables was d designed with your workouts in mind. All TICKRs measure your core data – heartrate and calorie burn. The TICKR Run adds running form analysis and captures your treadmill workouts, while the TICKR X also has built-in memory and can count reps. Whether you are working off a big meal or working towards a new personal best, Wahoo has a TICKR to help you meet your training goals. TRAIN SMART. TRAIN STRONG. TRAIN FREE. TRAIN PERFECT. wahoofitness.com/RI Morris Medved, Run Specialty Pioneer, Dead at 83 orris Medved, the founder of Medved Sports in Rochester, NY and a pioneer in the run specialty business, passed away on January 30th. He was 83 years old. “Visionary was the word I used in his eulogy,” said his son Daniel, who now owns and runs Medved Sports. “He opened his store in 1984 when there weren’t many run specialty stores and was ahead of his time with targeting women and believing in the power of a larger store format.” Morris Medved came from a retail background. He was a divisional merchandise manager at Dayton Hudson department stores in Minneapolis before M moving to Rochesin a 3,000 square-foot ter, NY in 1968 to location, later expandwork for the men’s ing to double that size clothing powerin 2001. In addition to house Hickey Freerunning gear, the store man. He worked also carried walking there for 16 years and comfort footwear before leaving to and outdoor brands. start a running “He always had an store. eye out for new brands Morris Medved, Founder, Medved “He loved runand would attend Sports, Rochester, NY Outdoor Retailer and ning,” said his son. “He was never fast but would get other shows looking for lines that made sense for our customup and go to the local Y and run ers,” Dan said. on the track almost every day When the time came for his at 5 a.m. He really felt that he could bring something special to son to get involved in the store, Morris suggested he work for running retail. Back then there was no industry. He didn’t have a a big department store, so Dan worked for May Company and blueprint to follow. He followed his gut, what made sense to him.” then later attended law school and worked as a public defender. 0RUULVÀUVWRSHQHGWKHVWRUH Dan became the full-time owner in 2011 and says his father was still involved in the store up until about a year ago. “He’d come in and look at the numbers and offer his insights,” says Dan. “He believed strongly in customer service, a strong store culture and what a store should stand for. That’s what I’ll miss most about those talks. He always had great insights.” Mr. Medved is survived by his wife, Delores; sons, Barry, Louis, Robert and Daniel and grandchildren, Matthew, Robyn, Jordan and Max; as well as many nieces and nephews. ,QOLHXRIÁRZHUVGRQDWLRQV may be made to ARC of Monroe County or Jewish Senior Life Foundation. Q GO FOR IT! Don’t hesitate - Sorbothane® Performance Insoles will be with you every step along the way. 100% MADE IN USA • Sorbothane® is unique - 100% Made In USA • It actually cradles the foot in comfort • Sorbothane® protects the entire body by absorbing up to 94.7% of impact shock • Recommended for over 30 years 20 GO FOR IT! Sorbothane insoles provide pure comfort and protect Find out more: against impact related pain and injury. 800.838.3906 insoles-sorbothane.com ® runninginsight.com © 2015 Formula4media LLC. Running Shorts Shefit’s Custom Adjustable Sports Bra 7KH6KH¿W8OWLPDWH6SRUWV %UDLVWKHRQO\FXVWRPDGMXVWDEOH EUDRQWKHPDUNHWDFFRUGLQJWR WKHEUDQG,WJLYHVZRPHQRIDOO VL]HVWKHVXSSRUWDQGOLIWWKH\ QHHGDOORZLQJWKHPWRGHFLGH WKHSHUIHFW¿W$VWKHEUDQGVD\V ³<RXUEUD\RXUZD\´3DWHQWHG WHFKQRORJ\DOORZVZRPHQWKH DELOLW\WRDGMXVWWKH9HOFUR VWUDSV DQG ULE EDQG IRU D FXVWRP ¿W HYHU\WLPH HQVXULQJ FRPIRUW DQG VXSSRUW IRU DQ\ ZRUNRXW 7KH WDJ OLQH LV ³$OO %OLVV 1R %RXQFH´ )RU PRUH LQIRUPDWLRQ YLVLW WKH EUDQG RQOLQH DW VKH¿WFRP 361° USA to Sponsor Grassroots Events 361° USA, an athletic and lifestyle footwear and apparel manufacturer, is kicking off the new year by collaborating with some of the top personalities and RUJDQL]DWLRQVLQWKHÀWQHVVDQG training community. 7KHÀUVWRIVHYHUDOSDUWQHUVKLSV is with ECA World Fitness, an international organization best known for their industry leading ÀWQHVVDQGZHOOQHVVHYHQWVDQG conventions. 361° is taking the 22 runninginsight.com Shefit offers patented technology for adjustabilty, comfort, support and fit. helm as presenting sponsor of the One Body One World (OBOW) ÀWQHVVFRQIHUHQFH0DUFK in New York City. The brand will RXWÀWWKHHYHQWVWDIIKHDGWRWRH in 361° apparel and footwear and will also have a booth and promotional signage at the Marriott Marquis event space. Thousands RIJURXSÀWQHVVLQVWUXFWRUVDQG personal trainers from the New York City metro area attend the event each year and 361° executives say they will capitalize on this expert audience to gain additional market information directly from the people using and wearing their product. 361° has also teamed up with top New York City trainers Eli Ingram and Stacy Schwartz. Both will be promoting the brand through marketing and PR initiatives. Ingram is developing a unique, weekly 361° military style obstacle training run in Central Park this spring and Schwartz will promote the brand through Kentanga Fitness Retreats, a niche travel organizer specializing in active vacation packages. Kentanga holds promotions at various sports apparel stores around the New York City area and will feature exclusive 361° giveaways throughout the spring and summer, and all New York City promotions will tie into Paragon Sports where 361° will be sold starting March 1. In addition to New York City, Atlanta will also be getting the 361° makeover through its awardwinning Catalyst Fitness training facilities known for their unique VFLHQWLÀFDSSURDFKWRÀWQHVV Catalyst trainers, who work with many top professional sports athOHWHZLOOEHRXWÀWWHGLQDSparel and footwear and will work hand-in-hand with local retailers to build awareness for 361° in the The Impulse shoe from 361° © 2015 Formula4media LLC. June 29 - July 1, 2015 Navy Pier & W Chicago Lakeshore Join us in Chicago for the business-to-business conference and trade show designed to focus retailers and brands on the most powerful consumer in the market place. Conference Presentations Networking Trade Show Scheduled to Appear at the 2015 Event Unconventional Strategies and Tactics for Today’s Business Climate Capture the Mindshare and the Market Share will Follow Erika Napoletano, is a branding expert who happens to be an ACE and NASM-certified Libby Gill shares techniques from her latest book. Every participant will receive immediately applicable personal trainer and group fitness instructor. takeaways to: • Identify the authentic value that makes you stand out. She is the founder of unstuck.LIFE, a destination for restless brands and the people brave enough to lead them. And if you’ve ever felt stuck, well, Erika’s the one you call to get unstuck and over all the annoying things that keep you and your business from being awesome. Erika is also the award-winning, twice-published author, including “The Power of Unpopular.” Erika Napoletano • Powerfully articulate your unique value proposition. • Master the art of emotional connection to create deep and lasting customer relationships. Libby is the former head of communications for Sony, Universal, and Turner Broadcasting. Libby Gill She is now CEO of her own consulting firm where clients include AMC Networks, Disney-ABC, GoDaddy, Intel, Kellogg’s, Microsoft, PayPal, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Safeway, Wells Fargo, and many more. The Running & Fitness Event For Women is proud to host... IRRA Apparel Summit She Runs Retail Summer Meeting Running The Next Generation Presented by Presented by Presented by For exhibitor and sponsor information, contact Beth Gordon, VP and Show Director: 949-293-1378, [email protected] For retail information, contact Mark Sullivan: 646-319-7878, [email protected] Updates on 2015 speakers and trade show happenings: therunningandfitnesseventforwomen.com Running Shorts (continued) Atlanta-metro area. “This training initiative is just WKHVWDUWWRPDQ\VSRUWVSHFLÀF initiatives targeting the elite enthusiasts,” says 361° USA’s head of marketing Ed Goldman. “We feel trainers and people within WKHÀWQHVVFRPPXQLW\ZLOOKHOS generate buzz and grow the 361° brand. We will continue to build on our grassroots marketing efforts in other major metropolitan cities.” Inov-8 Launches Race Ultra 270 Shoe Following up on its wellreceived Race Ultra 290 shoe, Inov-8 has unveiled the Race Ultra 270, a lightweight running shoe designed for long-distance runners. Available now, the Race Ultra 270 (MSRP $120) weighs in at 270 grams, which is 20 grams lighter than the Race Ultra 290. Inov-8 Race Ultra 270, MSRP $120. The new shoe is designed for bigmile races over trails and mountains, according to the brand. The Race Ultra 270 has a 4mm drop, and offers cushioning and comfort as well as outstanding grip via a combination of sticky and high abrasion rubber cleats. An on-the-shoe attachment system allows a gaiter (available WREX\VHSDUDWHO\WREHÀWWHG helping to keep debris at bay. Under Armour Makes “Connected” Acquisitions Under Armour has acquired *ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS MAY APPLY. CALL FOR DETAILS TRI BLEND TEES AS LOW AS $3.16* 24 runninginsight.com 888 464 3824 | www. A4 .com Endomondo and MyFitnessPal. These acquisitions will supplement UA’s existing MapMyFitness and UA RECORD suite of applications. Under Armour acquired MapMyFitness in late 2013. Powered by more than 80 million registered users, MyFitnessPal has more than 80 million registered users and is one of the leading free resources for athletes to keep track of their health and ÀWQHVVJRDOVSURYLGLQJQXtritional information for over ÀYHPLOOLRQIRRGVDQGRIIHULQJ caloric data associated with hundreds of exercises. MyFitnessPal is available as an app or on computers. The company says MyFitnessPal will expand the current offerings from UA Connected Fitness to include comprehensive nutrition tools, allowing users to track calories, nutrition and exercise. Meanwhile, Endomondo is an RSHQÀWQHVVWUDFNLQJSODWIRUPDQG VRFLDOÀWQHVVQHWZRUNFRQQHFWLQJ athletes throughout the world. Utilizing GPS and other technologies, Endomondo provides users with the ability to map, record and share their workouts. Endomondo currently hosts 20 million registered users, approximately 80 percent of which are located outside of the U.S., which the company says will provide immediate scale and increased international presence for the Under Armour Connected Fitness community. The company says the expansion into this category “advances its goal of delivering game-chang- ing solutions to how athletes and ÀWQHVVPLQGHGLQGLYLGXDOVWUDLQ perform and live.” RSG Stays Active: Buys NC Store, Signs Deal with Registration Firm The Running Specialty Group has purchased Raleigh Running 2XWÀWWHUVZKLFKKDVVWRUHVLQ Raleigh and Cary, NC. The purchase strengthens RSG’s position in the North Carolina market. Late last year, the group, which is owned by Finish Line, acquired Capital Run Walk in Raleigh. RSG now has 68 stores in 15 states and has built a major store group along the I-95 corridor, extending from the New York metro area through Washington, DC and Virginia and now into North Carolina. In addition to its most recent store purchase, RSG has formed a strategic alliance with imATHLETE, a sports registration company. As part of that agreePHQWZKLFKLQFOXGHVDÀQDQFLDO investment by Finish Line in the company, RSG president Bill Kirkendall will be appointed to the imATHLETE board of directors. imATHLETE has an impressive portfolio of clients including the GORE-TEX Philadelphia Marathon, ASICS Los Angeles Marathon and the MetroPCS Dallas Marathon. Through this agreement, RSG will get access to all registrants to these races, which will allow it to market its stores and websites to these runners. The companies say they will also create new opportunities surrounding training, event marketing and product offerings. imATHLETE blends registration, fundraising and e-commerce technology with the social netZRUNLQJDQGJDPHÀFDWLRQLQKHUent in running, triathlon, cycling and all participatory sports. Q © 2015 Formula4media LLC.