Grassroots Outdoor Alliance this week opened its “ConnectHub” to specialty independent retailers looking to engage with vendor brands for Spring 2021 planning and buying. A shared-resource solution designed to simplify the remote buying season, Grassroots ConnectHub has attracted more than 100 vendor brands to date, covering a broad range of outdoor categories, said the organization.
Designed for simplicity and ease of use, Grassroots ConnectHub connects specialty retailers to qualified vendor brands 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, when available. All company materials other than basic contact information will be password protected and accessible only by verified retailers.
Retailer participation in Grassroots ConnectHub is free, and open to both members as well as approved independent specialty outdoor shops. 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.
“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.”
For retailers interested in participating in the Grassroots Connect Hub, can go to https://connect.grassrootsoutdoors.com/connect-hub.
