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Community - Awards - SNEWS Retailer of the Year Awards


Article Thumbnail Will we be holding a Retailer of the Year party in your store? If you're one of the best, we will
Jun 29, 2009
Last year, SNEWS® and Backpacker put out a call for nominations seeking the best outdoor retailers in the United States. The response was overwhelming -- but that was 2008. This is 2009 and we are putting out the call for nominations again. Do you think your store is worthy? Do your customers? Will we be holding a customer-appreciation party in your store to celebrate next year? Only if you are nominated because you have to be nominated to win.
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Article Thumbnail Retailer of the Year - Best in Growth of Outdoor Sports: Midwest Mountaineering inspires people to explore the outdoors
Jun 1, 2009
Through free clinics, monthly seminars and highly successful Adventure Expo gatherings held at the store, Midwest Mountaineering is succeeding in its mission to connect people with the outdoors and this year it received the SNEWS / Backpacker Retailer of the Year Award for Best in Growth of Outdoor Sports.
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Article Thumbnail Retailer of the Year - Best Online Business: Rock/Creek puts a personal touch on web sales
May 11, 2009
Special service is what garnered Rock/Creek the 2009 SNEWS® / Backpacker Retailer of the Year Award for online retailing. Rock/Creek began selling products on its web site about 10 years ago, and now the site generates more than 30 percent of Rock/Creek’s overall sales. According to Wheeler, online sales will account for 40 percent before too long. That’s pretty impressive when you consider that Rock/Creek has three brick-and-mortar locations in Chattanooga, as well as one near the Ocoee River.
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Article Thumbnail Retailer of the Year - Best Youth Involvement: Outdoor Kidfitter closes doors but owner carries on with mission
Apr 27, 2009
There is certainly some irony to having a successful business that you build because of your passion. Then you have to close because the business is suddenly becoming a roadblock to enjoying those same passions. Such is the case with Outdoor Kidfitter (www.outdoorkidfitters.com), which for just over one year served families in Helena, Mont. by not only educating parents about how to get outdoors with their young children, but also outfitting them.
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Article Thumbnail Retailer of the Year - Best Community Business: Neptune Mountaineering keeps close ties with its community
Apr 13, 2009
More than a retail store, Neptune Mountaineering in Boulder, Colo., has become an important landmark in the world of climbing. Relics of notable climbing expeditions adorn the shop walls, while its climbing museum holds skiing and climbing equipment dating back to the 1800s. Neptune Mountaineering received the 2009 SNEWS® / Backpacker Retailer of the Year award for community outreach, partly because its owner, Gary Neptune, has dedicated his life -- and his store -- to supporting the aspirations of all types of climbers and creating a historical record of their deeds. Over the years, his store has become much more than a place to purchase gear, but also a social hub for climbers.
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Article Thumbnail Horny Toad becomes title sponsor of the SNEWS/Backpacker Retailer of the Year awards
Apr 6, 2009
Teaming up with SNEWS® and Backpacker, Horny Toad is providing its sponsorship muscle to recognize the best-in-class in specialty outdoor retailing as title sponsor of the SNEWS/Backpacker 2010 Retailer of the Year awards.
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Article Thumbnail Retailer of the Year - Best Conservation Business: The Alpine Experience makes conservation center of marketing plan
Mar 30, 2009
Typically, a business owner doesn't want to receive a call from prison. But Joe Hyer, owner of The Alpine Experience in Olympia, Wash., was happy when the Washington State Department of Corrections phoned him a few years ago. "They were throwing away thousands of pairs of shoes each year," said Hyer, explaining that the Department of Corrections wanted to know more about the store's reuse-a-shoe program. The winner of the 2009 SNEWS®/Backpacker Retailer of the Year award for conservation, The Alpine Experience four years ago became the first outdoor specialty store to participate in the Nike reuse-a-shoe program.
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Article Thumbnail Retailer of the Year - Best Sustainable Business: Half Moon Outfitters leads the way in green building
Mar 16, 2009
Patagonia, Prana, REI, Timberland. There are a handful of companies in the outdoor industry that have become synonymous with being green. Founded in 1993, Half Moon Outfitters has gained a similar reputation for being a leader in sustainable business practices. A collection of eight specialty stores in South Carolina and Georgia, Half Moon Outfitters received the 2009 SNEWS®/Backpacker Retailer of the Year award for "Best in sustainable business."
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Article Thumbnail Are you one of the best outdoor retailers in the US? Then SNEWS and Backpacker want to honor you!
Mar 11, 2009
Last year, SNEWS® and Backpacker put out a call for nominations seeking the best outdoor retailers in the United States. The response was overwhelming -- but that was 2008. This is 2009 and we are putting out the call for nominations again. Do you think your store is worthy? Do your customers? No one wins unless they are nominated, so get busy today!
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Article Thumbnail Retailer of the Year Overall Winner: North Cove Outfitters relies on staff experience
Mar 2, 2009
In 1989, Kathi Fowler walked into North Cove Outfitters in Old Saybrook, Conn., looking for a kid carrier. The store, which had been open less than a year, had a job opening in accounting, and Fowler happened to be looking for work. This summer will mark Fowler's 20th year with North Cove. In an age when employee retention mostly resembles a revolving door, it's commendable that Fowler has remained at North Cove for two decades. But Fowler is one of many people who has worked at the store for 10 years or more. With this many long-timers, the North Cove staff holds a wealth of knowledge and experience. This is just one factor that makes North Cove Outfitters exceptional and helped it earn the 2009 SNEWS®/Backpacker Retailer of the Year Award.
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