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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.

What If Starbucks Played Heavy Metal?

| RIA | Point of View
A few weeks ago, I experienced this firsthand. My family took me to a charming downtown restaurant for my birthday lunch. Picture exposed brick walls, artwork from local artists & velvet seating. It should have felt warm and relaxing. Instead, I kept saying, "It's kind of loud in here. Maybe we should go across the street." The restaurant wasn't unusually noisy—it was the music. The rock music wasn't bad; it just didn't fit the atmosphere. It added energy when the room needed calm. Sinc…
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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

The Role of Running Camps in Shaping the Running Industry

| Scott Dvorak | Point of View
 A Personal Journey Through Brevard Distance Runners Camp, by Scott Dvorak This past July, I had a full-circle moment as I went back to the running camp that first got me into running some 40 y…
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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…
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My Realizations about Shop and Family

| Jess Reid | Point of View
I could fill a book with the things that owning and operating a small run specialty store have brought to my life that I never anticipated. Together with my husband, Colin, we opened Lex Running Shop…
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A Spirit of Openness for Mutual Benefit

| Lance Muzslay | Point of View
By Lance Muzslay, RIA Board Member Optio Owner & Sole Sports Running Zone Co-owner As a retail RIA member, I believe there are substantial benefits to sharing our inventory and sales data with b…
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