The State of Run Specialty...
THE LONG RUN Many factors will impact run retailers in the second half of 2021. Be prepared. / By Parker Karnan
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runninginsight.com
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W
ithout a doubt, the number o n e q u e st io n we’ve been fielding at Karnan Associates over the past 60 days is, “How long is this going to last?” And the questioners don’t necessarily just mean the pandemic. Let me explain. Of course, every business is up compared to March-April 2020. Those were extremely dark, uncertain days in run specialty — indeed, for all retail. That was a forgone conclusion. But a surprising number of stores experienced their biggest March in history — and April didn’t slow down the way it often does after a big spike. What appears to be happening is a series of waves crashing into specialty running stores in succession, resulting in sales growth that will continue at least through the third quarter and probably into next year. • Wave 1 was another round of stimulus payments. • Wave 2 is the vaccine rollout. • Wave 3 is the anticipation of a summer vacation. • Wave 4 is the promise of Fall events. • And wave 5 is a bona fide back-to-school. If you just read these opening sentences, and it sounds like you are living in a different economy, don’t fret. Most likely you are in a colder metro market.
