ASHEVILLE, NC (June 25, 2020) -- Grassroots Outdoor Alliance (www.grassrootsoutdoors.com) this week opens their “ConnectHub” to specialty independent retailers looking to engage with vendor brands for spring ‘21 planning and buying.

A shared-resource solution designed to simplify a chaotic remote buying season, Grassroots ConnectHub has attracted more than 100 essential vendor brands to date, covering a broad range of outdoor categories.

Current vendor brands on Grassroots ConnectHub include, among others, Patagonia, The North Face, Smartwool, Toad & Co, Fjallraven, KAVU, Pistil, Rab, Salewa, Tecnica, Vasque and Keen.

Retailer participation in Grassroots ConnectHub is free, and open to both members as well as approved independent specialty outdoor shops.

“Retailers who are ready to jump in will be able to connect with all of Grassroots key vendor partners right away. And for buyers who want to engage later on in the summer or fall, we will keep ConnectHub open as long as needed,” said Gabe Maier, vice president of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance. “One thing we do know about the coming sales season is that it’s going to require retailers to do some self-service, work some odd hours and embrace some creativity, and our goal with ConnectHub is to support that reality.”

Designed for simplicity and ease of use, Grassroots ConnectHub connects specialty retailers to qualified vendor brands of all levels by hosting essential sales tools and best practices in a single, structured location.

Items available from vendors on Grassroots ConnectHub include primary contact information; available brand categories; an overview of their sell-in process; key deadlines; product and brand images; assets including workbooks, line review videos, price lists, MAP policies and order forms; and links to B2B sales platforms, if available. All company materials other than basic contact information will be password protected and accessible only by verified retailers.

For retailers interested in participating in the Grassroots Connect Hub, please go to https://connect.grassrootsoutdoors.com/connect-hub.

ABOUT GRASSROOTS OUTDOOR ALLIANCE

Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is a national association working together for the health and growth of independent specialty outdoor retail. With 83 retailers and 187 doors in 45 states nationwide, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is creating both a vision and roadmap for the long-term success of independent specialty retailers, through data collection and analysis, direct member support, specialty events, and deep vendor partnerships. Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is also recognized as a catalyst for the success of its retailers and vendor partners; an advocate for specialty independent retail; a promoter of education and community within the specialty channel; and a key influencer of the national outdoor industry. For more information on Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, please go to www.grassrootsoutdoors.com.