Grassroots Connect, the twice-annual buying show of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, returns Nov. 5-9, to the Kansas City Convention Center, in Kansas City, Mo., gathering the outdoor sector’s leading brands and independent specialty retailers amid a season marked by mixed business indicators.
Grassroots Connect will welcome 409 retailer buyers from 145 independent specialty stores as they engage with 190 total brands – 123 on the main floor and 68 in the Discovery Marketplace – throughout more than 9,500 pre-scheduled appointments, as well as a full slate of education and networking events.
Heading into the event, Grassroots retailers are reporting a flattening of overall sales in the trailing 12 months prior to September, an expected return to Earth after back-to-back record growth seasons in 2021 (+32 percent) and 2022 (+11 percent). Within those numbers, 32 percent of Grassroots retailers are reporting growth of more than three percent in 2023 (YTD), while 46 percent are showing a decline of more than three percent.
In addition to mixed sales results, inventory issues are unresolved. While manufacturing and buying behaviors have normalized from the mood swings of the pandemic, impacts of past oversupply are still being felt in the marketplace and caution remains as the outdoor sector readies for the transition away from usage of PFAS beginning in 2024.
A factor contributing to optimism ahead of Connect is news about broader ownership trends within the group. According to a September retailer survey, 10 percent of Grassroots retail stores have moved to new ownership in the past two years, and 11 percent of the membership is anticipating opening new doors in 2024.
Details of Grassroots Connect key events include:
- Education Day (Sun., Nov. 5) – Following the annual membership meeting, Grassroots Education Day will fill the late morning and early afternoon with presentations and conversations on topics, including:
- “Building a Remarkable Basecamp: Retail Brand Experiences that Increase Sales, Customer Satisfaction & Return Business,” hosted by Wes Allen of Sunlight Sports
- “Your Store is a Talent Incubator: Reframing Employee Development for Specialty Retail,” hosted by Tara Kuipers;
- “The Hidden Influence of Buyers in Shaping the Shopper’s Experience,” hosted by Carrie Watson of Outside Looks
- “Retail’s Best Ideas: The Idea is Right!” also hosted by Kuipers.
- Discovery Marketplace (Sun., Nov. 5) – With the goal of igniting new relationships, the Grassroots Discovery Marketplace will showcase 67 rising brands to buyers from 4 to 6 p.m. and to all attendees from 6 to 7 p.m. The curated brand gathering is structured to introduce prospective new vendors to the Grassroots community with a casual meet-and-greet format.
- Super Happy Hour (Mon., Nov. 6) – The Night One happy hour is open to all attendees for libations, including alcohol-free options as well as appetizers. The event is sponsored by Mountain Hardwear, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
- Service Project – This fall’s Grassroots Connect service project will be a personal care kit building for distribution to the Kansas City unhoused. Sponsored by Keen and Oboz, the kit station will be located near the registration desk.
- Lunchtime sessions – During the midday pause between scheduled appointments, several learning opportunities will take place throughout the week including the annual Women’s Leadership Luncheon (Monday, noon); a presentation by international mountaineer Phillip Henderson of Full Circle Expeditions (Tuesday, noon); and the “Sharing the Stoke” mini-film fest featuring film creations from both brands and retailers (Thursday, noon).
- Open Houses – Two “open house” sessions are slated for the main show floor, providing a casual counterbalance to the solidly scheduled format of Grassroots Connect. The open houses are slated to include a happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m., on Tuesday (Nov. 7) as well as an after-lunch session from 1 to 2 p.m., on Wednesday (Nov. 8).
For information on Grassroots Connect, a complete schedule of the upcoming event is available at Connect.grassrootsoutdoors.com.
Photo by -Jason-Domingues-Photography
