Essentially Speaking

Part 3 ... Vendors offer more insight into selling the category.

“Use Essentials as a catalyst to increase overall repeat-visit cadence and customer and staff engagement. Shops that take advantage of our complimentary gear for social media, email marketing, instore activation see a lift to overall sales. Equip your team with tools and your store with signage to show and tell specialty brand and product technology stories that remind customers why your store is the go-to for the best head-to-toe running gear needs.”

— June Angus, Co-founder, Amphipod

“It’s all about approaching accessories with a new attitude. Relying on the old, passive selling process of offering an insole only if the customer asks for one or as a preventative measure doesn’t work. Sales staff need to change their mindset to insoles being a shoe enhancement and should be offered to every customer that comes through the door. Our sales data validates significant revenue growth simply from introducing the product as an essential item that improves the customer experience versus a band-aid solution for foot pain.”

— Lutz Klein, President, Currex

“Retailers can sell more essential products by having demos and giving the opportunity to try these products around group runs.

We’ve also seen very high sales when the employee pulls a product when the customer mentions a specific ailment.” — Matt

Hensley, VP–Business Operations, Roll Recovery

SMELL WELL

SmellWell inserts remove moisture and keep shoes and gear odor free and naturally fresh. MSRP: $12.95

SPIBELT

TAILWIND

Tailwind’s Endurance Fuel formula contains sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium to speed the absorption of fuel. It is a balanced blend of calories, electrolytes and hydration. MSRP: 50-Serving Bag $40

The SPI Crossbody is made to be worn from day to night and allows runners to be hands-free while keeping essentials easily accessible and secure without the bulk of a backpack or purse. MSRP: $34.99

Firefly Recovery

Firefly Recovery is a lightweight, powerful recovery device that helps runners to recover faster after training, races and during travel by increasing blood flow by 400 percent. Firefly Recovery is clinically proven to reduce soreness and provide fresh. MSRP: $47

Seattle Gummy

Seattle Gummy Company’s Performance Gummies line is for athletes who need efficient, fast absorption of active ingredients before, during and after training or racing. MSRP: $3

Airwaav

The AirWaav Endurance Performance Mouthpiece fits on lower teeth to place the jaw and tongue in the optimal position to create the optimal airway opening while activating neuromuscular response. MSRP: $59.99

PRO-TEC ATHLETICS

Pro-Tec’s The Force Mini Massage Gun, lightweight at .87 pounds, is a portable alternative to standard massage guns with speeds up to 3200 RPM. It has four interchangeable massage head options.

Ursa Major

Force Field SPF 30 is a lotion/sunscreen combo from Ursa Major that not only goes on smooth and leaves no white residue, it’s also free from chemicals like Oxybenzone and Avobenzone. Force field is also formulated to help fight fine lines and wrinkles and aims to combat inflammation-causing pollutants like blue light and particulate matter. MSRP: $52.20

Muir Energy

Muir’s new Cherry Vanilla combines tart cherries with Madagascar vanilla and is loaded with calcium and potassium. MSRP: $2.92

Seirus

The Heatwave Glove Liner is designed to be worn inside a glove or as a standalone glove in its own right. It is lightweight and its Heatwave lining helps retain 20 percent of body heat.

MSRP: $24.95

Powerstep

PowerStep redesigned its ArchWear sandal styles in response to customer feedback, adjusting the profile and strap designs while still retaining the PowerStep arch support and heel cup to give proper foot alignment to help relieve and prevent foot pain for all-day comfort. MSRP: $69.95

Stunt Puppy

Stunt Puppy’s Fi-ready collar let’s runners add their dog’s ID right on the collar. This exclusive collar features multiple patterns along with optional ID info to help cut down on clunky dog tags. Available in multiple patterns and optional reflective for a customized look. MSRP: $33

Gnarly

Gnarly Nutrition’ Limited Edition Flavor series of its electrolyte supplement – Gnarly Hydrate, in Salted Margarita and Lemonade. Gnarly Hydrate mixes into water and contains sodium, chloride, potassium and magnesium to replace the electrolytes runners lose when they sweat.

MSRP: $29.95

Runrak

Run Rak’s Easy-Move Fitness Organizer holds essential running gear in one easily accessible rack. Headphones, clothes, shoes, towels, water bottles and caps fit in one storage container.

MSRP: $49.99