Oh no doubt, I know about the Bowerman series and have heard good things about it. That is what I was refering to when I said they were taking small stepsforward. But you hit the nail right on the head and was also the point I was trying to get across: Nike pushes fashion over function. This, in my opinion,causes Nike to fall out of the race for people who run. When I first started running, I steered clear of Nike shoes just because of the gimmicks (Shox, 360,etc...). I went for a brand who seemed to be dedicated to making running shoes (Brooks, Asics). I'm sure the Bowerman series could elevate Nike back intothe race but it's their gimmicks that cause people to choose another brand. Take for instance the Nike+ accessories. This would be a great opportunity to also promote the Bowerman series along with the +accessories but what do you see?Air Max 180's and other fashion driven shoes being promoted more heavily. I actually like the idea of having a Nike Specialty Running Store. It would be nice to go into a store and have educated employees fit you in the proper shoeinstead of trying to sell the most expensive shoe. I just think Nike needs to gain some more credibility within the running community and with people who arebeginners by showing that they have a serious line of running shoes.
Instead of taking offense to every comment made negatively about Nike Running shoes, you should try to find out why negative comments are comingtowards the product. No disrespect but some of your remarks like the "street corner" as well as others, are highly unprofessional if indeed you workfor Nike. Figuring out why there is such a negative feeling about the running shoe dept. can help the line figure out what's wrong, why there are badfeelings towards the line, and try to make improvements to change the attitude that others have. I agree that some people in general, make comments just tobe jerks but I think Mister Jack has made some valid points in his argument. Again, no disrespect to you.
I would imagine that for a specialty store of this nature, your staff is going to be as essential as the product offered. It can't be like Footaction where you hire your homeboys and amateur models who know nothing about the product and could care less. For runners, usuallyit's going to only be two types of customers; those who have no idea what they need & rely on the salesman/store for help finding the right product orthose who know exactly what they need and are rigid in what they're seeking. You have to have a staff that knows the ins and outs of running as a sportand culture, the needs of a marathon runner versus those of a soccer mom, the difference between overpronating/supinating, etc. You wouldn't open afitness shop & hire high school kids to give people information on circuit training, cycling, pilates, functional training, etc. The quickest way to fail in that type of specialty store is negative word-of-mouth. Serious runners usually havefriends and network with other people in the same boat. The worst thing you could hope for is for word to spread for customers to avoid your store based onone person's experience. The problem is, can you find a staff that is knowledgeable enough already in the world of running that will work for the pay rateoffered and/or can you develop a quick training program to educate your associates with a quick turnaround?
On a side note, can anyone give me some solid information/background on Nike's Impax technology. I'm tired ofbeing asked about it & dancing around the question because I don't want to give a poor answer. I can't find anything on the net about it...
Well said. I always thought every specialty store should have employees who know their craft or product.
I think it'd be cool, but I don't know if it would help sales. A Nike museum would be WONDERFUL. I think there is a negative reaction to Nike Running due to the nature of the runner's mentality. Personally, I feel like runners have always liked thesmaller, come-from-behind brands (New Balance, Brooks, Asics, Mizuno, Saucony). It may have very little to do with actual performance since every company uses the same materials. It may just be that Nike got too big for runners to take asseriously. If you could maybe do a test where runners were putting on shoes that they couldn't see (masked in tape or something), I get this feeling thatthe preferences would be widespread and non-conclusive. But I'm sure Nike wouldn't rank as lowly as some people rank it.