puma seeks spark

THE NEWSMAGAZINE FOR RUNNING SPECIALTY RETAILERS • RUNNINGINSIGHT.COM • FEBRUARY 17, 2015 • VOL.7, NO.3
PUMA SEEKS SPARK
BRAND LAUNCHES NEW IGNITE RUNNING SHOE
RUN SPECIALTY
PIONEER
PASSES AWAY
MAKING
THE MOST
OF RACE
SPONSORSHIPS
SPOTLIGHT
ON INSOLES
Usain Bolt dons Puma’s
new Ignite footwear.
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Puma Seeks Spark
with New Ignite Shoe
The Ignite will be available in March. MSRP $100.
By Mark Sullivan
ntent on becoming a
factor in the running
category, Puma pulled
out all the stops last
week in unveiling its Ignite
performance running shoe, a
sleekly designed model that uses
a foam technology. The Ignite
will retail for $100. The shoe
will be in Puma brand stores on
March 5. It will ship to broader
distribution, including run
specialty, on March 14.
Puma execs see the Ignite as
their major opportunity to crack
the performance category and
within a year will use “Ignite
foam” across almost all running
shoes as well as most training
models.
Puma launched the shoe last
week in New York City with a
I
global press event that featured
most of the company’s top brass,
media from around the world
and Puma’s major running asset
Usain Bolt, who bantered with
reporters (see page 6).
Bolt is featured in a 30-second
spot to help launch Ignite and
says he has been training in the
shoe for the past 90 days.
After the press conference,
Puma took over a city block in
Time Square where Ignite shod
runners ran on treadmills where
they generated power to light up
the crossroads of the world.
Whether Puma can light it
up at retail over the next six
months will be determined by
the success of the new shoe.
The selling point of the shoe
is a polyurethane blend foam
technology that the company
says makes the shoe lightweight
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Running Insight is published twice each month, is edited for owners and top executives at running
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LLC, P.O. Box 23-1318, Great Neck, NY 11023. Tel: 516-305-4709.
4
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(the men’s model weighs 10
ounces), responsive and energyreturning.
The Ignite is part of the new
wave of running shoes that does
QRWÀWQHDWO\LQWRWKHWUDGLWLRQDO
paradigms of Stability,
Cushioning or Neutral. Jacob
Garcia, a Puma designer who
worked on Ignite, says the shoe
“checks off both the neutral and
cushioning boxes,” and also has
stability elements.
Puma is also pushing a
durability factor in the shoe by
way of a piece of ForEverFoam,
another polyurethane blend
adapted from car bumpers,
placed in the heel.
The brand will back the shoe
with a major promotional push
that will include TV and digital
marketing, as well as grassroots
events. The brand previewed
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a slick video called “Ignite
Tokyo,” that featured Japanese
runners on their favorite routes
through that city and will follow
that up with similar pieces
featuring New York and Miami.
The brand will also dispatch
“speed police” in key markets
who will ticket runners for going
WRRVORZDQG´ÀQHµWKHPZLWKD
pair of Ignites.
In addition to Bolt, Puma
will utilize Super Bowl 49 hero
Julian Edelman, especially in
New England and its newest
endorser pop star Rihanna.
“She’s in phenomenal shape
because of all her dancing and
we believe we can cast a new
light on training by featuring her
in that context,” said Puma SVP
marketing Tara McRae, adding
that Puma will “use every asset”
it has to tell the Ignite story. Q
Editor-in-Chief .. Mark Sullivan: msullivan@formula4media.com
Managing Editor ...... Cara Griffin: cgriffin@formula4media.com
Publisher...............Troy Leonard: tleonard@formula4media.com
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Puma Seeks Spark with New Ignite Shoe (continued)
The Freewheeling Usain Bolt
H
ow serious is Puma about its new
Ignite footwear? So serious that
the brand brought in the world’s
fastest pitchman Usain Bolt to its
product launch event in New York City. Bolt
spent time with reporters from around the
world, with whom he discussed everything
from shoes and training to his love for the
Green Bay Packers.
“I was rooting for the Patriots at the
Super Bowl because the Seahawks beat
Green Bay and they’re my team,” Bolt
said. The Packers were the first team Bolt
saw when NFL games were broadcast to his
native Jamaica. He admitted his devotion to the
Packers has run hot and cold over the years,
“but they’re good now, so I’ve been following
them closely.”
Meeting NBA great Michael Jordan was
Bolt’s Super Bowl highlight and he admitted
to being nervous when talking to him. “We
talked about his team and what’s going on in
the NBA,” Bolt said. “I didn’t want to talk to
him about his career or history.” Bolt said he
did not discuss his very famous dunk in the
2013 NBA Celebrity All-Star game with His
Airness. “I don’t think I’ll be dunking again any
time soon,” Bolt said. “My coach (Glen Mills)
wouldn’t like that.”
Headlamps
Designed
For Runners
Bolt also said he met former Yankee Derek
Jeter and Washington Redskins QB Robert
Griffin III. “I asked him how he stays focused
when so many people are running at him,”
Bolt said. “I also asked him how he finds
secondary receivers and remembers more
than 200 plays.”
Regarding his own sport, Bolt said he
was looking forward to returning to the Bird’s
Nest in Beijing in August for the IAAF World
Championships in August. “It will be my first time
there since the 2008 Olympics, so I’m excited. I
expect a great crowd.”
Bolt also says he’s healthy and looking forward
to a good season in preparation for the 2016
Olympics in Brazil. “I always use one season
to prepare for the next and part of 2015 will be
devoted to getting ready for the Olympics.”
Although he has stated he’ll retire after The
World Championships in London in 2017, Bolt
admits he’d have trouble hanging up his Pumas
if he lost to one of his rivals. “That would be
tough,” he said.
Bolt says he’s tested the Ignites and likes their
lightness and cushioning. “I get all the good stuff
first.” He says he’s committed to helping Puma
“sell more shoes” and that he plans to stay with
them until the end of his career. “They’ll never
get rid of me.”
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© 2015 Formula4media LLC.
INTRODUCING
MCS ( MUSCLE CONTAINMENT STAMPING)
THE FUSION OF THE HUMAN BODY +
2XU COMPRESSION TECHNOLOGY FOR
HUMAN PERFORMANCE. MULTIPLIED.
COMING FEBRUARY 2015
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Insoles Kick
Up Their
Heels
Footbeds
Race to
Capture the
Wellness and
Performance
Markets.
Icebug
ArchFlex
Slim
MSRP:
$49.95
There will come
a time, in the not
too distant future,
when footbeds
will be standard
features in every
shoe style from
high heels to
flip-flops.
8
runninginsight.com
By Nancy A. Ruhling
ver-the-counter
insoles are taking
the industry by
storm. Long an
accessory afterthought or an
expensive prescription option,
they are stepping up their
pace in two major burgeoning
categories: performance and
wellness/pain relief.
Runners (and weekend
O
sprinters) are inserting them
into their shoes in the hopes of
winning the race without getting
aching feet. As the category
expands – some shoe brands,
notably New Balance, have
added insoles to their lineup –
there will come a time, in the not
too distant future, when footbeds
will be standard features in
every shoe style from high heels
WRÁLSÁRSV
10-Seconds’ Flat Foot Sport
Insole, $35, is the only patented
full-length insole that keeps
the feet in alignment with the
ankles, knees and hips, thereby
stopping over-pronation and
relieving pain.
Invented by orthopedic
surgeon Michael Pryce, who
KDGÁDWIHHWWKHLQVROHIHDWXUHV
Poron cushioning; an anti-blister
top cover; and a Biostatic antimicrobial top cover.
CurrexSole’s RUNPRO,
© 2015 Formula4media LLC.
Swiss Engineering
CONCRETE
MADE EASY.
Run on clouds with the all-new On
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long-distance or high impact-runners.
Insoles Kick Up Their Heels (continued)
currexSole RUNPRO
MSRP: $49.95
$49.95, LVVSHFLÀFDOO\GHVLJQHG
for runners. The pre-fabricated
insole, a companion to the brand’s
RWKHUVSRUWVVSHFLÀFIRRWEHGV
has a deep heel cup, triple layers
for optimum moisture wicking;
dynamic arch technology made
from silver Nylon 6 composite for
natural foot guidance; a special
Superfeet Carbon
MSRP: $54.95
forefoot material that fosters
dynamic propulsion; a Poron
cushion; a decoupled heel for
reduced pronation; and a zero
millimeter drop. It weighs in at
1.41 ounces (medium size).
As do the brand’s other
insoles, the RUNPRO has a
different design, rigidity of the
arch and height for the 15 sizes
it is offered in.
Dr. Scholl’s EDGE Sport
and EDGE Sport + line for
men and women, the brand’s
ÀUVWHQWU\LQWRWKHSHUIRUPDQFH
market, is designed for a variety
of activities.
('*(6SRUWDWULPWRÀW
Sof Sole FIT
MSRP: $39.99
insole that retails for $24.99,
helps reduce muscle fatigue in the
arms and legs. It offers layered
comfort: massaging gel waves, an
arch shell and gel heel pad.
EDGE Sport +, $34.99, helps
prevent pain for those with
shin splints, runner’s knee and
plantar fasciitis. Its triple zone
Remember 10-Seconds for all of your running needs. Check out our diverse
selection of insoles colorful re°ective laces cleaners and more.
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runninginsight.com
© 2015 Formula4media LLC.
SIDAS 3Feet
MSRP: $ 50
protection system – thick ball
of foot; proprietary arch design
and heel padding – reduces
shock by 40 percent.
The brand will introduce
Plantar Fasciitis, Boot, Cool and
Dry insoles later this year.
FootBalance’s MAX, $79.99,
is an in-store custom-molded
© 2015 Formula4media LLC
Shock Doctor Women’s Ultra
MSRP: $44.99
insole designed for performance
athletes and those who engage in
robust recreational activities.
With its stiffer core that
provides support for wearers
with excessive over-pronation, it
works well with stiffer footwear
such as steel-shank hiking and
mountaineering boots.
Sorbothane Women’s Ultra Sole
MSRP: $25.95
Icebug’s ArchFlex Slim, from
the Swedish shoe brand, has two
millimeters of cushioning and
is designed for use in running,
sports or dress shoes where
volume is an issue.
Designed by Ortolab AB, the
leading Scandinavian orthopedics
lab, the $49.95 insole is dynamic;
FootBalance MAX
MSRP: $79.99
it works with the foot shape,
activity and body to provide the
right amount of support.
It is offered in three shapes –
KLJKORZDQGÁH[LEOH²DQG
sizes for customization. It also
features a metatarsal arch support
for forefoot comfort.
The Lynco L400 Orthotic,
runninginsight.com
11
Insoles Kick Up Their Heels (continued)
10-Seconds Flat Foot Sport Insole
MSRP: $35
SOLE Softec Response Footbed
MSRP: $25.95
part of the brand’s sports series,
is the only orthotic on the market
that uses the iStep digital foot
scanner to measure foot size,
arch type and pressure points to
immediately custom select the
proper insole.
Lightweight and resilient,
the L400 includes a soft
CopperGuard top cover made
IURPVWDWHRIWKHDUWFRSSHUÀEHUV
to help prevent bacteria, fungi
and odor. Other features include
an advanced arch support; a ProShox center layer for comfort and
shock reduction; and an AeroCell
polyurethane core for support and
shape retention.
New Balance’s IUAS 3810
Supportive Cushioning Insole,
$45ÀWVWKHEUDQG·VDWKOHWLF
casual, dress and hiking shoes,
which have removable footbeds.
It is packed with technical
features: It has Absorb pods
with Poron to provide shock
absorption and cushioning at the
heel and forefoot; a contoured
12
runninginsight.com
Powerstep Pinnacle Pink
MSRP: $37.95
Voxxsol Performance Insole
MSRP: $39.99
Lynco L400
MSRP: $59.95
Spenco Total Support
MSRP: $39.95
metatarsal arch rise that
redistributes pressure and can
help prevent and provide relief
from plantar fasciitis, Morton’s
neuroma and metatarsalgia; and
an anti-blister, Microzap antibacterial top cover. The latex- and
PVC-free insole also has a deep
heel cup and external heel and
arch support.
Powerstep’s Pinnacle
Pink, $37.95, offers women
a fashionable, as well as a
supportive and cushioning,
option for their running shoes in
a market dominated by malecentric designs and colors.
The same design as
Powerstep’s best-selling Pinnacle
orthotic, it has a polypropylene
shell encased in dual-layer
shock-absorbing cushioning that
features targeted, controlled
cushioning; built-in arch support
and heel cradle to control motion;
and a heat- and friction-reducing
top fabric.
SIDAS’ 3Feet, designed for
sports that involve dynamic foot
ÁH[LRQLVFRQVWUXFWHGEDVHG
on arch height. Available in
WKUHHVL]HVWRÀWDYDULHW\RI
Long an accessory
afterthought, insoles are stepping
it up in the performance and wellness categories.
foot shapes from low to high
arches, the ethylene vinyl acetate
insoles, $50, have a bamboo
top cover that has anti-bacterial
and anti-odor properties; an
ECO Ortholite layer for more
cushioning and comfort; a gel
pad under the heel; forefoot
perforations for breathability; and
a measuring device that helps the
athlete make the right size choice.
Shock Doctor’s RE+
Women’s X-Active, $34.99,
and Women’s Ultra, $44.99,
are engineered and lasted for
female athletes.
They are part of a new sub
brand called Shock Doctor RE+,
a collection of performanceimproving, wellness/athlete care
and recovery products that also
includes sports medicine/sports
therapy, compression sleeves and
socks and ice therapy wraps.
The insoles, which are
narrower through the heel and
mid-foot, longer in the arch
DQGZLGHULQWKHIRUHIRRWWRÀW
a woman’s foot, feature an arch
that adapts to the foot shape, a
motion-control bar that aligns
the foot to reduce body stress;
full-foot recycled ethylene vinyl
acetate foam and shock pads;
and a mid-foot shock dome that
relaxes the foot and helps relieve
plantar fasciitis.
Sof Sole’s FIT, $39.99, has
EHHQUHGHVLJQHGIRUWRÀW
VSHFLÀFIRRWW\SHVDQGSURYLGH
© 2015 Formula4media LLC.
HOK AONEONE.COM
MIKE WARDIAN – ELITE ENDUR ANCE RUNNER
THIS IS NOT A SHOE.
THIS IS AN INVITATION. TO GO
LONG. TO GO FOR THE MILE REPEATS. TO GO FOR THE RECOVERY DAYS. TO GO STRIDE IT
OUT. TO GO IT ALONE. TO GO WITH THE FRIENDS WHO DEMAND AS MUCH OUT OF EACH
MILE AS YOU DO. TO GO BECAUSE THERE ISN’T ANYBODY WHO CAN TAKE IT AWAY FROM
YOU WHEN YOU’RE DONE. TO GO BECAUSE YOU CAN. DESIGNED LIGHT, STABLE AND
WITH SUPERIOR CUSHIONING, THE BONDI 4 INVITES YOU TO GO FURTHER THAN YOU
DID YESTERDAY. TO GET FASTER FOR TOMORROW. LET’S GO.
Insoles Kick Up Their Heels (continued)
New Balance IUAS 3810
Supportive Cushioning Insole
MSRP: $45.00
Dr. Scholl’s EDGE Sport line
MSRP: $24.99 to $34.99
14
runninginsight.com
extra comfort and stability. It
features new shock-absorbing
ethylene vinyl acetate foam
density for each arch type
(low, neutral and high); more
stabilizing heel and arch plates;
and a softer more comfortable
top cover.
SOLE’s Softec Response
Footbeds, $45, are heat- or
wear-molded to the feet for a
FXVWRPÀW
Comprised of a one-piece
variable-density ethylene vinyl
acetate base, the insole reduces
plantar fascia strain, increases
balance and feel and improves
natural-heel cushioning. Features
include 1.6 millimeters of
Softec cushioning topped with
a moisture-wicking top sheet,
generous arch support and a deep
heel cup.
Spenco’s Total Support Trio
of insoles – thin, original and
max – offer different cushioning
and support depending on
the wearer’s activities and
preferences.
The insoles, $39.95, feature
metatarsal pads; pods of varying
degrees of hardness beneath
NH\DUHDVRIWKHIRRWWRÀQH
tune movement and reduce
over-pronation; medial, lateral
and transverse arch support; a
deep heel cup; and the First Ray
'URS=RQHWKDWDOORZVWKHÀUVW
metatarsal to drop naturally to
promote a more natural transition
into the next gait cycle.
Sorbothane’s Ultra Sole,
which is available in a women’s
and men’s version, is designed to
absorb shock and return energy.
It gets its signature from
Many runners
are using insoles
in the hopes of
winning the race
without getting
aching feet.
Sorbothane, a material that
cradles the foot in comfort and
protects the body by absorbing
94.7 percent of the impact shock,
in the heel insert and strategic gel
pods. It also has a lightweight,
contoured base that cups the
heel and supports the arch; a
3RURQOLQHUWRÀJKWPRLVWXUHDQG
fungus; and a brushed polyester
fabric top cover.
Superfeet’s CARBON, the
brand’s thinnest insole, is made
of EVOLyte, a blend of polymer
DQGFDUERQÀEHUPDWHULDOWKDW
allows the stabilizer cap to be as
strong as it is slim.
CARBON, $54.95, sports a
VWUXFWXUHGKHHOFXSDORZSURÀOH
biomechanical shape, foam
perforations under the forefoot
and mid foot and an organic,
odor-control coating.
Voxxsol’s Performance
Insoles, $39.99, relax the cranial
nerves by activating dermatomes
or chiropractic neuro-points on
the foot to feed the mid-brain
region that controls exoskeletal
muscle strength, the vestibular
and respiratory systems and
kinesthetic awareness.
According to the brand, the
PXOWLGHQVLW\FXWWRÀWLQVROHV
– one for women, one for men
– increase power by 25 percent;
improve range of motion by 15
degrees; improve balance by 10
percent; boost overall stamina
and recovery; and reduce foot
pain by 98 percent. Anatomically
correct, they have a deep heel cup
and are made of a comfortable
polyurethane material.
The brand, which is focusing
on the running and wellness
markets, has partnered with
Dunlop Sports to launch sportVSHFLÀFLQVROHVIRUWHQQLV
squash/racquetball and golf. Q
© 2015 Formula4media LLC.
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t
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Tri-State Running Company sponsored about 100 local races last year.
How to
Invest in
the Right
Races and
Get a
Bottom-Line
Benefit.
16
runninginsight.com
By Daniel P. Smith
ast year, the Tri-State
Running Company,
a two-store operation
based in the Cincinnati
area, sponsored about 100 local
races, varying its support among
smaller community races and more
elaborate productions, such as the
Queen City’s heralded Flying Pig
Marathon and the 25,000-runner
Heart Mini-Marathon in Cincinnati.
“We want to help races as much
as we can,” Tri-State Running director of marketing and special events
Melissa Helton explains.
L
Deciding which races to support
– and to what extent – is becoming an increasingly challenging
feat for running specialty shops.
Which races make the cut?
As the number of races continues
to swell at an annual clip – topping
a record high of 28,000 in 2013 according to Running USA – retailers
are being forced to strategically examine which races warrant support
and, even more, how that investment
of time, effort and/or money can
boost retail store results.
Providence, RI-based Rhode
Runner sponsors about 50-60 races
each year, marketing manager Eric
Lonergan says. As much as the store
might like to support every local
race to the utmost extent, it’s simply
not a feasible endeavor. That reality
requires the Rhode Runner team to
prioritize the events that best match
its culture, customer base and connections.
For instance, Rhode Runner
holds a strong relationship with one
of Providence’s most prominent race
directors, a man who was, in fact,
Lonergan’s high school coach.
“Whatever races he has, we’re
involved in,” Lonergan says. “We
know they’re going to be well-run
© 2015 Formula4media LLC.
THE NEW A400.
WE JUST REINVENTED THE
TECHNOLOGY WE INVENTED.
Introducinng th
thee mo
most
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ance
an
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spor
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ompression
wear on the pl
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else
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you trai
a n ha
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err, peerf
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orm
or
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ngger and recover faster.
Nothhinng el
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Making the Most of Race Sponsorships (continued)
events that draw a good number
of locals.”
For Rhode Runner, the local
draw remains of critical importance. Lonergan routinely
asks race directors to provide
information on the total number
of runners, where participants are
coming from, ages and other important demographic information.
That type of data, Lonergan says,
helps Rhode Runner determine its
sponsorship priorities.
To wit: while the Cox Sports
Marathon captures headlines
each year, Lonergan says that
26.2-mile race attracts a large
number of out-of-towners. By
contrast, the CVS Downtown 5K
in Providence attracts about 7,000
runners, the vast majority of them
local, which makes that event
among the store’s highest race
sponsorship priorities.
In determining where it will
place its support, Helton says
Tri-State Running asks similar
questions: Do we have a personal connection to the race? Is
it nearby? Does the race support
our desired clientele?
“We want to make sure we’re
putting our best efforts into the
races we believe can have an
impact on our stores,” Helton
says, adding that Tri-State will
“jump on” virtually any race that
supports the high school market,
18
runninginsight.com
such as a cross country or track
team hosting a charity 5K.
However, just because a
race is nearby, features a high
number of local residents or
drives awareness with targeted
prospects, those factors alone
are not enough. Rhode Runner
investigates the coordination and
leadership of any race it supports.
With newer race directors, in
particular, Lonergan will run
one of the director’s existing
events to assess its set up and
organization.
“We don’t want to be involved
with any shoddy races because
WKRVHZLOOUHÁHFWSRRUO\RQXVµ
Lonergan says.
the bottom line.” His store is the
race headquarters and packet
pickup spot for every Track
Shack-owned race, which Hughes
says jumpstarts sales.
“And the bigger the event, the
bigger the spike in sales,” he says.
Many other running shops, particularly those without the advanWDJHRXVRZQHUVKLSRIVSHFLÀF
How Race Sponsorship
Can Drive the Bottom Line
While sponsoring races delivHUVDKRVWRIVRIWEHQHÀWVUDQJing from community goodwill
to marketplace awareness, stores
ultimately hope to translate their
involvement into customers,
WUDIÀFDQGVDOHV
“We always want to get
people in our doors,” Lonergan
says. For many running shops,
that means one of three things:
1. Hosting packet pickup
Jon Hughes of Track Shack in Orlando, which owns and produces
its own races, calls in-store packet
pickup “the best way to impact
races, negotiate packet pickup as
a condition of their sponsorship.
Rhode Runner hosts multiple
days of packet pickup for the
aforementioned CVS Downtown
5K, Providence’s largest race,
as well as smaller races, which
Lonergan says should not be
minimized.
“Anytime you’re getting
people into your doors, it’s a
good thing,” Lonergan says.
“The bigger the
event, the bigger
the spike in sales.”
JON HUGHES
TRACK SHACK, ORLANDO
2. Exclusive participant offers
Providing race participants
exclusive offers, often buoyed
by a vendor’s involvement, can
JHQHUDWHWUDIÀF
With the popular three-race
Tour de Patrick last March,
Rhode Runner and New Balance
offered a free race entry to any
customer who purchased New
Balance shoes. A limited-time
offer to create urgency, the special
deal was emailed to some 50,000
local runners.
Track Shack and Brooks took
a more creative approach with
the OUC Orlando Half Marathon. The Royal Flush promotion
provided race participants who
purchased Brooks merchandise at
Track Shack exclusive access to
VIP bathrooms on race day.
3. Race rewards
Providing race rewards, namely
gift cards in modest denominations, is another method to turn
race sponsorship into a bottomOLQHEHQHÀW7UL6WDWH5XQQLQJ
routinely provides gift cards
to race directors to use as age
JURXSJLIWVRUUDIÁHSUL]HV7KH
gift cards typically max out at
$25, which, Helton says, spurs
higher spending at the store and
also minimizes the impact on
margin.
“[Providing a number of gift
cards in smaller denominations]
allows us to give to a lot more
races… but also leads people into
our stores to purchase product,”
Helton says. Q
© 2015 Formula4media LLC.
THERE IS A TICKR FOR THE
WAY YOU TRAIN.
The TICKR family of wearables was d
designed with your
workouts in mind. All TICKRs measure your core data –
heartrate and calorie burn. The TICKR Run adds running
form analysis and captures your treadmill workouts,
while the TICKR X also has built-in memory and can count
reps. Whether you are working off a big meal or working
towards a new personal best, Wahoo has a TICKR to help
you meet your training goals.
TRAIN SMART.
TRAIN STRONG.
TRAIN FREE.
TRAIN PERFECT.
wahoofitness.com/RI
Morris Medved, Run Specialty Pioneer, Dead at 83
orris Medved,
the founder of
Medved Sports
in Rochester, NY
and a pioneer in the run specialty
business, passed away on January
30th. He was 83 years old.
“Visionary was the word I
used in his eulogy,” said his son
Daniel, who now owns and runs
Medved Sports. “He opened
his store in 1984 when there
weren’t many run specialty
stores and was ahead of his
time with targeting women
and believing in the power of a
larger store format.”
Morris Medved came from
a retail background. He was a
divisional merchandise manager
at Dayton Hudson department
stores in Minneapolis before
M
moving to Rochesin a 3,000 square-foot
ter, NY in 1968 to
location, later expandwork for the men’s
ing to double that size
clothing powerin 2001. In addition to
house Hickey Freerunning gear, the store
man. He worked
also carried walking
there for 16 years
and comfort footwear
before leaving to
and outdoor brands.
start a running
“He always had an
store.
eye out for new brands
Morris Medved, Founder, Medved
“He loved runand would attend
Sports, Rochester, NY
Outdoor Retailer and
ning,” said his son.
“He was never fast but would get other shows looking for lines
that made sense for our customup and go to the local Y and run
ers,” Dan said.
on the track almost every day
When the time came for his
at 5 a.m. He really felt that he
could bring something special to son to get involved in the store,
Morris suggested he work for
running retail. Back then there
was no industry. He didn’t have a a big department store, so Dan
worked for May Company and
blueprint to follow. He followed
his gut, what made sense to him.” then later attended law school
and worked as a public defender.
0RUULVÀUVWRSHQHGWKHVWRUH
Dan became the full-time owner
in 2011 and says his father was
still involved in the store up until
about a year ago. “He’d come in
and look at the numbers and offer his insights,” says Dan. “He
believed strongly in customer
service, a strong store culture
and what a store should stand
for. That’s what I’ll miss most
about those talks. He always
had great insights.”
Mr. Medved is survived by his
wife, Delores; sons, Barry, Louis,
Robert and Daniel and grandchildren, Matthew, Robyn, Jordan
and Max; as well as many nieces
and nephews.
,QOLHXRIÁRZHUVGRQDWLRQV
may be made to ARC of Monroe
County or Jewish Senior Life
Foundation. Q
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© 2015 Formula4media LLC.
Running Shorts
Shefit’s Custom Adjustable
Sports Bra
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%UDLVWKHRQO\FXVWRPDGMXVWDEOH
EUDRQWKHPDUNHWDFFRUGLQJWR
WKHEUDQG,WJLYHVZRPHQRIDOO
VL]HVWKHVXSSRUWDQGOLIWWKH\
QHHGDOORZLQJWKHPWRGHFLGH
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361° USA to Sponsor
Grassroots Events
361° USA, an athletic and
lifestyle footwear and apparel
manufacturer, is kicking off the
new year by collaborating with
some of the top personalities and
RUJDQL]DWLRQVLQWKHÀWQHVVDQG
training community.
7KHÀUVWRIVHYHUDOSDUWQHUVKLSV
is with ECA World Fitness, an
international organization best
known for their industry leading
ÀWQHVVDQGZHOOQHVVHYHQWVDQG
conventions. 361° is taking the
22
runninginsight.com
Shefit offers patented technology for adjustabilty, comfort, support and fit.
helm as presenting sponsor of the
One Body One World (OBOW)
ÀWQHVVFRQIHUHQFH0DUFK
in New York City. The brand will
RXWÀWWKHHYHQWVWDIIKHDGWRWRH
in 361° apparel and footwear and
will also have a booth and promotional signage at the Marriott
Marquis event space. Thousands
RIJURXSÀWQHVVLQVWUXFWRUVDQG
personal trainers from the New
York City metro area attend
the event each year and 361°
executives say they will capitalize
on this expert audience to gain
additional market information
directly from the people using
and wearing their product.
361° has also teamed up with
top New York City trainers Eli
Ingram and Stacy Schwartz.
Both will be promoting the
brand through marketing and PR
initiatives. Ingram is developing a
unique, weekly 361° military style
obstacle training run in Central
Park this spring and Schwartz
will promote the brand through
Kentanga Fitness Retreats, a niche
travel organizer specializing in
active vacation packages. Kentanga holds promotions at various
sports apparel stores around the
New York City area and will
feature exclusive 361° giveaways
throughout the spring and summer, and all New York City
promotions will tie into Paragon
Sports where 361° will be sold
starting March 1.
In addition to New York City,
Atlanta will also be getting the
361° makeover through its awardwinning Catalyst Fitness training
facilities known for their unique
VFLHQWLÀFDSSURDFKWRÀWQHVV
Catalyst trainers, who work with
many top professional sports athOHWHZLOOEHRXWÀWWHGLQƒDSparel and footwear and will work
hand-in-hand with local retailers
to build awareness for 361° in the
The Impulse shoe
from 361°
© 2015 Formula4media LLC.
June 29 - July 1, 2015
Navy Pier & W Chicago Lakeshore
Join us in Chicago for the business-to-business conference and
trade show designed to focus retailers and brands on the most
powerful consumer in the market place.
Conference Presentations
Networking
Trade Show
Scheduled to Appear at the 2015 Event
Unconventional Strategies and
Tactics for Today’s Business Climate
Capture the Mindshare and the
Market Share will Follow
Erika Napoletano, is a branding expert who
happens to be an ACE and NASM-certified
Libby Gill shares techniques from her latest book.
Every participant will receive immediately applicable
personal trainer and group fitness instructor.
takeaways to:
• Identify the authentic value that makes you stand out.
She is the founder of unstuck.LIFE, a
destination for restless brands and the
people brave enough to lead them. And if
you’ve ever felt stuck, well, Erika’s the one
you call to get unstuck and over all the
annoying things that keep you and your
business from being awesome. Erika is also
the award-winning, twice-published author,
including “The Power of Unpopular.”
Erika Napoletano
• Powerfully articulate your unique value proposition.
• Master the art of emotional connection to create deep
and lasting customer relationships.
Libby is the former head of communications
for Sony, Universal, and Turner Broadcasting.
Libby Gill
She is now CEO of her own consulting firm where
clients include AMC Networks, Disney-ABC, GoDaddy,
Intel, Kellogg’s, Microsoft, PayPal, Royal Caribbean
Cruise Lines, Safeway, Wells Fargo, and many more.
The Running & Fitness Event For Women is proud to host...
IRRA Apparel Summit
She Runs Retail Summer Meeting
Running The Next Generation
Presented by
Presented by
Presented by
For exhibitor and sponsor information, contact Beth Gordon, VP and Show Director: 949-293-1378, bgordon@formula4media.com
For retail information, contact Mark Sullivan: 646-319-7878, msullivan@formula4media.com
Updates on 2015 speakers and trade show happenings: therunningandfitnesseventforwomen.com
Running Shorts (continued)
Atlanta-metro area.
“This training initiative is just
WKHVWDUWWRPDQ\VSRUWVSHFLÀF
initiatives targeting the elite enthusiasts,” says 361° USA’s head
of marketing Ed Goldman. “We
feel trainers and people within
WKHÀWQHVVFRPPXQLW\ZLOOKHOS
generate buzz and grow the 361°
brand. We will continue to build
on our grassroots marketing efforts in other major metropolitan
cities.”
Inov-8 Launches Race Ultra
270 Shoe
Following up on its wellreceived Race Ultra 290 shoe,
Inov-8 has unveiled the Race
Ultra 270, a lightweight running
shoe designed for long-distance
runners.
Available now, the Race Ultra
270 (MSRP $120) weighs in at
270 grams, which is 20 grams
lighter than the Race Ultra 290.
Inov-8 Race Ultra 270, MSRP $120.
The new shoe is designed for bigmile races over trails and mountains, according to the brand.
The Race Ultra 270 has a 4mm
drop, and offers cushioning and
comfort as well as outstanding
grip via a combination of sticky
and high abrasion rubber cleats.
An on-the-shoe attachment
system allows a gaiter (available
WREX\VHSDUDWHO\WREHÀWWHG
helping to keep debris at bay.
Under Armour Makes
“Connected” Acquisitions
Under Armour has acquired
*ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS MAY APPLY. CALL FOR DETAILS
TRI BLEND TEES
AS LOW AS $3.16*
24
runninginsight.com
888 464 3824 | www. A4 .com
Endomondo and MyFitnessPal.
These acquisitions will supplement UA’s existing MapMyFitness
and UA RECORD suite of applications. Under Armour acquired
MapMyFitness in late 2013.
Powered by more than 80
million registered users, MyFitnessPal has more than 80 million
registered users and is one of the
leading free resources for athletes
to keep track of their health and
ÀWQHVVJRDOVSURYLGLQJQXtritional information for over
ÀYHPLOOLRQIRRGVDQGRIIHULQJ
caloric data associated with
hundreds of exercises. MyFitnessPal is available as an app
or on computers. The company
says MyFitnessPal will expand
the current offerings from UA
Connected Fitness to include
comprehensive nutrition tools,
allowing users to track calories,
nutrition and exercise.
Meanwhile, Endomondo is an
RSHQÀWQHVVWUDFNLQJSODWIRUPDQG
VRFLDOÀWQHVVQHWZRUNFRQQHFWLQJ
athletes throughout the world.
Utilizing GPS and other technologies, Endomondo provides users
with the ability to map, record and
share their workouts. Endomondo
currently hosts 20 million registered users, approximately 80 percent of which are located outside
of the U.S., which the company
says will provide immediate
scale and increased international
presence for the Under Armour
Connected Fitness community.
The company says the expansion into this category “advances
its goal of delivering game-chang-
ing solutions to how athletes and
ÀWQHVVPLQGHGLQGLYLGXDOVWUDLQ
perform and live.”
RSG Stays Active: Buys
NC Store, Signs Deal with
Registration Firm
The Running Specialty Group
has purchased Raleigh Running
2XWÀWWHUVZKLFKKDVVWRUHVLQ
Raleigh and Cary, NC.
The purchase strengthens
RSG’s position in the North
Carolina market. Late last year,
the group, which is owned by
Finish Line, acquired Capital
Run Walk in Raleigh. RSG now
has 68 stores in 15 states and has
built a major store group along
the I-95 corridor, extending from
the New York metro area through
Washington, DC and Virginia and
now into North Carolina.
In addition to its most recent
store purchase, RSG has formed
a strategic alliance with imATHLETE, a sports registration
company. As part of that agreePHQWZKLFKLQFOXGHVDÀQDQFLDO
investment by Finish Line in the
company, RSG president Bill
Kirkendall will be appointed to
the imATHLETE board of directors.
imATHLETE has an impressive portfolio of clients including
the GORE-TEX Philadelphia
Marathon, ASICS Los Angeles
Marathon and the MetroPCS Dallas Marathon. Through this agreement, RSG will get access to all
registrants to these races, which
will allow it to market its stores
and websites to these runners. The
companies say they will also create new opportunities surrounding training, event marketing and
product offerings.
imATHLETE blends registration, fundraising and e-commerce
technology with the social netZRUNLQJDQGJDPHÀFDWLRQLQKHUent in running, triathlon, cycling
and all participatory sports. Q
© 2015 Formula4media LLC.