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Point of View

The RIA Point of View is an initiative that encourages members to share perspectives about emerging trends, exciting ideas and unique ideas in order to educate and share insights with other RIA members. It's simple, open and honest conversations with the driving force behind the specialty run sector: RIA members.

A skeptic's view on the channel.

| Jeff Metzdorff | Point of View
‍By Jeff Metzdorff, RIA Board Member Owner, Mill City Running, St. Paul, Minnesota Let’s lay the groundwork.  We have what they want.   ‘We’ meaning Run Specialty retailers and ‘they’ meaning every other small business in the US. Hardly a week goes by that we’re not sent a link to a Business of Fashion or Buzzfeed article proclaiming that Marathons are the New Fashion Runways or that Gen Z are Finding Love in the (Run) Club.   I get it Aunt Carol, we’re in the cultural ...
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What's on your mind?

Have you been thinking about issues or ideas that would spur innovation and collaboration in the running industry? Do you know of a topic that has people concerned or excited, or keeps coming up in conversations about industry practices?

Share your thoughts about important topics from your unique point of view with RIA members. Any of these POV columns could become the impetus for new relationships and unexpected solutions, and RIA believes member contributions are the key to mutual understanding that leads to more success for all of us including retailer owners and employees, brands, customers, and everyone the running industry touches.

If you have a point of view to share with the RIA membership, we welcome you to submit a column for future distribution in the Pulse newsletter.

Share your point of view

Retailers' Perspectives on Emerging Brands Part 2

| RIA | Point of View
In the June RIA Pulse, three Running Industry Association members, who operate well-established companies in three different states, shared their observations and insights about what it takes for n...
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Retailers' Perspectives on Emerging Brands Part 1

| RIA | Point of View
Three Running Industry Association members, who operate well-established companies in three different states, shared their observations and insights about what it takes for new brands to get tracti...
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I’m Fine: A Perspective on Volume-based Discounts and the Impact to Small Shops vs. Box Stores vs. Online

| Greg Koch | Point of View
By Greg Koch, 605 Running Company Co-Owner/General Manager Think about a time where you asked somebody how they are doing and they looked you in the eye and said,  “I’m fine.”    ...
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The Hill I Die On

| Mark Jimenez | Point of View
As business owners we often get sucked into the day-to-day grind of running a business. Our to-do list never gets done. We find it hard to take time off, and the buck always stops with us. It doesn...
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