Retail College

Successfully producing outdoor gear used to be such a simple endeavor: Make great product, then sell it through retail partners, or directly through a catalog or your own store. These days, the formula has become a lot more complicated. With the option to distribute through a ...read more

It's a common refrain we've heard from retailers over the years: "I wish I had more training resources for my staff."What if you had unlimited access to free online gear training modules that are independently taught, not tainted by any one brand trying to get you to sell more of ...read more

Every year, the world of e-commerce produces new statistics and trends that show how the internet is continuing to disrupt traditional retail. Internet Retailer Convention and Exhibition, the largest e-commerce trade ...read more

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“What’s the difference between a canister and liquid fuel stove? Will that battery pack charge my iPad? Can I wear merino wool in the summer?” Customers come to specialty outdoor retail with a lot of questions and your floor staff should be ready with the answers. Knowing the ...read more

No reason to blush when selling underwear at outdoor retail. Next-to-skin boxers, briefs, thongs and bikini bottoms are just as important as any other technical layer. Read this Retail College chapter to find out how to make this add-on sale to adventure travelers, long-distance ...read more

There’s no stopping this generation of consumers. They’re going to bring their electronics outdoors. Smartphones, tablets, video cameras, lighting, Bluetooth speakers and GPS devices are becoming essential gear in packs and at campsites. While this may be to the chagrin of ...read more

With many outdoor adventures getting shortened in today’s fast-paced world, food and drink prep for a trip is shifting to the home kitchen. To that end, insulated bottles, mugs and food containers are on the rise at outdoor specialty retail, with a larger variety of products for ...read more

Teach your customers how to shield themselves from harmful rays by upgrading their apparel — their first line of defense — to UPF-rated sun-protective clothing. Read this SNEWS Retail College to learn about the technology behind UPF-rated clothing, and why your customers need it ...read more

Help bust the myth. Merino wool socks and apparel can be top performers in the summer, too. But not all wool is alike. Read this Retail College chapter to find out how the best wool products tackle the heat for your customer.A printed version of this digital flipbook (click to ...read more

Most backpackers carry about 2-3 liters of water with them at a time, which means if they’re going out for more than a day, they’ll need to collect new water in the field. While glacial mountain springs and streams conjure up images of pure water, what hikers can’t see in their ...read more

People sleep in so many different positions it’s virtually impossible that one sleeping bag will serve every need. That’s why you should find out just what your customers need in terms of shapes and sizes of sleeping bags in one of our December Retail College Chapters titled “How ...read more

Some parts of the country are getting hit by spring snow storms, but the truth is, summer is around the corner. And that means one thing: more adventures for your customers. One essential piece of gear for both backcountry and closer-to-home adventures is a pair of summer ...read more

Spring is around the corner, and for many parts of the country that means rain. So there's no better time to introduce your customers to the advancements in water-resistant down, and the increasing lineup of sleeping bags, jackets and accessories with the technology. Read this ...read more

Not all hydration reservoirs are created equal. Some have faster flow rates for drinking, others are easier to clean and more are coming with accessories to make showering or filtering water simple and convenient. Finding the right hands-free hydration product for your customer ...read more

Every backpacker has a different philosophy for cooking in the backcountry. Some people are just looking for sustenance in a warm dinner — a meal heavy on calories, but light on carry weight. Others take pride in donning their chef’s hats and whipping up a gourmet meal in the ...read more

With more skiers, snowboarders and hikers venturing into the snow-laden backcountry and sidecountry, winter safety gear innovations and sales are on the rise. As the holiday shopping season begins, get a refresher course on the latest winter safety technology and selling tips ...read more

New advancements in insulation, construction, temperature ratings and design have altered the landscape for sleeping bag options for your customers. Help them find the perfect bag in today’s market with this SNEWS Retail College chapter on sleeping bags. Sleeping bags have ...read more

The desire to stay warm in cold temperatures is a top draw of customers to your outdoor specialty shop. Whether they’re seeking a warmer jacket, sleeping bag or accessory item, read this Retail College chapter to help them match the right type insulation to their activities, ...read more

There’s more to a good sleeping bag than insulation. Managing the fill efficiently to maintain and move body warmth is just as important. From the latest baffle orientations to zippers, read this SNEWS Retail College to find the best bag for your customer. Use this how to sell ...read more

Be it jackets, sleeping bags, clothing or accessories, when it comes to providing warmth for your customers, knowing what insulation to guide them to is key. Fleece, wool, synthetic and down can all do the trick, but each have particular strengths and weaknesses. That’s where ...read more