The strongest running stores aren’t built through great products alone — they’re built through intentional partnerships.
As retailers navigate increasing competition, evolving consumer expectations, and shifting brand relationships, the most successful stores are becoming more than places to buy shoes. They’re cultivating communities, creating meaningful connections, and establishing themselves as indispensable hubs for local runners.
This panel features three retailer-brand relationships at different stages – from an established, years-long collaboration to a new pairing getting off the ground. We’ll discuss how retailers can move beyond traditional co-op conversations to strengthen vendor relationships and create community beyond the weekly run groups.
Attendees will leave with practical ideas for building stronger retail-brand ties, producing more impactful community initiatives, and developing a running store that both brands and runners want to invest in.
