The End of the Specialty Running Store

Can small independent running stores compete as chaings like Road Runner Sports, The Running Room, and Fleet Feet expand? Check out this NY Times article.

Some of the stores are seemingly no bigger than a closet and their wares fairly limited. But for a generation, specialty running stores have managed to survive — even thrive — around the country despite competition from the big chains and online and mail order outlets. These small stores may be at a turning point, though. They face newly invigorated competition from bigger players looking for a piece of their profitable action. Chief among them is Road Runner Sports, a 25-year-old mail order (and now Internet) powerhouse based in San Diego. The company is opening its 19th store this month, and its president and chief executive, Michael Gotfredson, has a goal of 100. The Road Runner stores offer the same personalized service as their specialty rivals but are far bigger (8,500 square feet of selling space, on average) and have a more extensive inventory. At the same time, the specialty running stores are, in effect, graying. Some of the pioneers of the genre got into the business more than 30 years ago, and are now close to retirement age, many without a succession plan.