5-second poll | How busy was your store this Memorial Day weekend?
Did you rake it in or was it dead? Take our 1-click poll and get the pulse of specialty outdoor retail.
Should gear companies stay out of politics? Or lean in?
Patagonia gets both idolized and lynched in the court of public opinion for its bold stances on conservation and the environment. For the majority of the outdoor industry tribe, the company is a leader in fighting for the things we hold dear, but one look at the comments on its ...read more
Poll | Where was your last gear purchase?
Where and how people shop is a perpetually hot topic around here, and with good reason: It defines the very core of our industry and illustrates some of our biggest challenges. (That's why the big cover store in Issue #3 of The Voice dives deep into the "Big A" with lots of ...read more
"Did you have a good (Outdoor Retailer) show?"
There was change in the air at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market. We all felt it. After months of speculation, debate, and wait, we finally know where we'll be for the next five years (Denver). Despite some of the big players being absent (Patagonia, Arc'teryx, and Polartec), the ...read more
Poll | Have you ever busted a shoplifter in your store?
Whether you nabbed some stupid kid slipping carabiners into his pocket or you've succumbed to a more elaborate or sinister scheme, we want to know: Have you had to deal with criminals in your shop? Share you story in the comments section. Summit Hut recently in Tucson, Arizona, ...read more
Poll | Will you keep your store open Black Friday?
Black Friday is just a few days away, and the big question to outdoor retailers is, will you stay open? REI recently announced all 151 stores will remain closed Friday, in an effort to encourage employees and customers to #OptOutside instead. Patagonia and Outdoor Research are ...read more
Poll | What's the most effective way to protect America’s public lands?
Yesterday, we reported on President Trump's controversial announcement that he would officially reduce the size of the Bears Ears and Grand Escalante-Staircase national monuments. Outdoor Industry Association Executive Director offered suggestions for action steps: Write a ...read more
Would your store sell weed?
Five years ago, this question may have sounded crazy. But with the fast pace of cannabis legalization across the country, and with retailers adding coffee and microbrews to their shops, the idea of an in-store dispensary may not be so far-fetched. This question popped into our ...read more
5-second poll | What is the best camp stove ever made?
If your pick isn't listed, post it in the comment section. ...read more
Poll | Will you #OptOutside this Black Friday?
REI announced that for the third consecutive year, doors will remain locked this Black Friday. This is to encourage people to #OptOutside instead – get out and enjoy the great outdoors rather than spending time shopping. More than 12,000 REI employees are given the day off with ...read more