Four days out of the office for four of our key team is a challenge, however buying season is now a crucial part of Run North West’s growth. Making key decisions away from the cut and thrust of office life does have its benefits in terms of being able to focus. Placing big value forwards take me back to my days in Rolex and Patek retail doors, it’s great fun and a bit daunting at the same time.
2 days at the STAG Buying Group Ltd show gave us the perfect platform to agree AW25 plans with brands including Adidas, Altra, Brooks, Hoka, Merrell, Mizuno, New Balance and Ronhill. We also had the benefit of meeting many different and varied suppliers. Even though we had a pre Stag meeting with some of the above brands, a second look before booking pre orders was perfect. Stag Group gives my company the support and infrastructure to grow at incredible speed and by the end of 2024 our retail business will have grown x10 in two years. The combination of the biggest in-store choice in the UK managed by an expert team of runners, with an every developing online proposal have fuelled our success.
Then onto London with a perfect sunny morning run from Shoreditch (sadly Dave Norman’s calf meant he couldn’t join the run) followed by ON and Saucony HQ immersions. Both now in impressive new spaces with big future plans.
Just Asics, Norda and Puma left to tick off next week before more meetings to expand our portfolio and ambition to be the biggest independent run specialty door in the UK. A place I am proud to say we have already reached with some of our brand partners.
Working closely with the biggest brands is at the heart of our business and respecting distribution agreements whilst adding unique value to our partners growth strategy.
Run specialty is at our core and that, along with an obsession for understanding fully our customers prefered experience/journey is central to everything. Iam so fortunate to have been joined by an incredibly talented and dedicated team from the running world who merge skills across admin, logistics, sales and marketing to challenge the biggest and best in the UK.
I can’t wait now for 2025, so much innovation and newness from our growing brand portfolio, coupled with an explosion in running participation means it’s time to buckle up and enjoy the 2025 ride 🚀
