Running Industry Alliance deepens relationship with STAG Buying Group  

STAG Buying Group (STAG) joined Running Industry Alliance (RIA) as Alliance Partner when RIA launched in January 2022, and they have been working together on RIA’s  retailer vertical over the last two years.

It has now been announced that the relationship will be taken to the next level by both parties, with RIA working more closely with STAG’s Specialist Run-Focused Retailers to gain additional retailer insight and be part of the newly formed Retailer Action Group.

STAG retailers will be sharing feedback from the ’shop floor’, providing insight from a key aspect of the B2B side of the running industry. Furthermore they will form part of a wider collective voice of specialist-run retail with other RIA Members, raising the profile and importance of retail, both B&M, omnichannel and online (B2B2C).

This wider retailer group with core members from run-focused retailers will be invited to diarised Retailer ’Town Halls’ and the Retailer Action Group hosted by Jonathan Midwood. Jonathan is leading the retail vertical at RIA and firmly believes that a deeper understanding of the retail vertical and broader collaboration across all ten verticals will continue to help advance the sport and business of running.

The Retailer Action Group not only provides a platform for feedback that will help shape future themes and actions, it will also be a catalyst for broadening discussions with other retailers and encourage retailers to constructively share their voice.

A broader pool of retailers will also lead to potential referral opportunities for other RIA members including brands, and can support projects with a specific retail or B2B2C focus.

Jonathan Midwood, Co-Lead of  RIA and Lead of Retail, commented: “We are pleased to be working more closely with STAG Buying Group and are looking forward to a productive collaboration with STAG’s run-focused Specialist Retailers. This collaboration is part of a longer-term strategy for retailers in the running industry. The aim is to gain valuable feedback and insight that will help develop new initiatives and projects to advance the B2B and B2B2C nature of the collective running industry.

“Retail provides a valuable service to a very active and deeply passionate community, namely runners. Understanding the shop floor more deeply and gaining further access to brick-and-mortar retailers will be a key element in continuing to collaboratively improve the sport and business of running. We are looking forward to taking the relationship with STAG to the next level, and we are grateful for their continued support of RIA.”

Ward Robertson, Chairman of STAG Buying Group said: ”We are keen to work with RIA in cultivating momentum to amplify the Independent Run Specialist Retailers. We believe together we can embark on a venture to empower and elevate the indispensable run specialist retailers, heralding a new era of innovation and camaraderie within the running sphere.

“With unwavering enthusiasm STAG and our run specialist retailers anticipate the opportunity to fuse our passion for retail with RIA’s expertise, propelling these vital businesses to new heights of recognition and success, whilst also celebrating the vibrant tapestry of the run community. We look forward to championing the invaluable contributions of run specialist retailers to foster an environment where every stride counts.”

Running Industry Alliance (RIA) membership applications for 2024 are open, and anyone who wants to apply to join RIA and attend The Running Conference 2024 #TRC24 should complete the application form or contact membership@runningindustryalliance.com .

Further details about Running Industry Alliance, membership and all other info can be found on this website and the LinkedIn company page.