Sports shops are a big part of the sports industry, as they sell the very equipment that makes it possible for sports to be played. However, you may not have a sports shop in your area, and there are several ways that you can change that. Consider the following three ways to start your own sports shop.
Create a Pop-Up Shop
Pop-up shops are a great way to take the plunge and set something up, especially if you do not have the time, motivation, or stock to have a permanent brick-and-mortar storefront. You will need to determine how long you want to run your shop and what kind of things you are going to sell. Make sure you do your research as to what sports are popular in the area, as well as what sports need a bit more attention. It is ideal to already have some stock in terms of equipment, but if you are selling things such as pre workout supplements, you will want to get them fresh. It is one thing to sell used equipment. It is another entirely to sell something consumable that you have already been dipping into to improve your own performance. Make sure to have the proper permits if any are required before you start your pop-up shop, and know how long you will be operating so you can tell your customers how long your shop will be running, whether it is just for the day or for an entire week.
Open an Online Store
The majority of stores are either completely online or have a website where consumers can view their products in addition to their physical store. Since sports shops are pretty popular, you will need to make yourself stand out apart from your competition in some way. You will need a great marketing campaign to launch your store so you will get people’s attention from the get go. Other ideas to consider include having lower prices than your competition, selling affordable gear, or going the other way and having rare, hyperspecific gear that is hard to find anywhere else.
Partner With Local Sports Teams or Sports Alumni
Something else that will give you an edge is if you are able to partner with a local sports team or alumni from a local sports team, especially if your target demographic is your hometown. Everyone knows at least a little bit about sports, even if they do not care to have anything to do with them, and most of them will know at least one or two people that are on the local teams. Partnering with someone who currently plays or used to play on the community’s favorite team associates your business with a familiar face and brings a sense of superior sports products to the table, as their local athlete deserves nothing but the best.
Keep in mind that this partnership will not likely be free. You are asking a well-known person to endorse your brand, which automatically bans them from endorsing competitors, even if nothing is said about it. Because of this, you will need to have a budget so you can pay them at least a little something. Try to find an athlete that genuinely enjoys using your product. That way, they will not have to force a compliment and you will not have to worry about whether they will discontinue the partnership.
There is nothing more exciting than being able to start your own business, and if you love sports, a sports shop is the perfect thing for you to set up. Keep this article in mind so you have a good starting point for setting up your sports shop.