If you could build your dream triathlon shop, what would you do? What services would you offer? How would you generate income in the off-season? How would you differentiate yourself from the myriad running, biking, and swimming shops? Feel free to run with the idea and make many and wild suggestions.
Interested in your thoughts.
an endless pool for testing the fit of wetsuits
several Computrainers and various fit based software systems for the cyclists (an annoyingly full array of all aero gadgets is a must too)
and an indoor track for testing out the fit of new shoes.
not just an endless pool, how bout a full long course pool…maybe even install a wave maker like they have at water parks to simulate rough water swimming.
All the sales clerks would look like some of the more athletic babes on the hottie thread.
yeah yeah…and we could have cool athletic wear fashion shows on a weekly basis…think of the sales we’d get.
Dream triathlon shop - What does it need?
A Bikesport Michigan sign out front 
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treadmill to test run shoes
bike fit kit, and computainer set up to test positioning
endless pool for wetsuit testing and swim analysis /coaching
group workout schedule from shop
on-site coffee barista
of course the latest wheels, bikes, run shoes, etc…
large-screen tv showing IM / race videos, le Tour, etc…
this is pretty close to inside -out sports, maybe minus the barista ( at least since I was there last). I have heard nytro is pretty cool, but I have never been there myself.
A Bikesport Michigan sign out front
And a couch:
My apologies to Tom for using this image without his permission, I wish I’d remembered that he currently has my bike in his possesion :>)
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My concept of a dream triathlon shop would be the focus of tailored GAME IMPROVEMENT rather than hauking product or hyping up the latest of greatest…
The general problem with this concept is most people buy the dream, not the reality.
so you’d be wantin the shop to have Gunterlike personal tri coaches on hand to flog anyone who comes in the door lookin to buy free speed? Where is the capitalism in that?
All the latest and greatest gear for all three sports.
A small museum of older stuff/race memorabilia.
Coffee shop/juice bar/healthy food.
A full schedule of training dates/meet up times/etc.
50 meter pool and a full track (indoor) – test stuff during the day - training at night.
Computrainer spin classes.
Knowledgable sales people who are friendly and treat evryone the same.
And this is what truely makes it a dream shop…
Jessi as a sales person and coach
and I am sure the women of slow twitch can come up with the male salesmen better than I – so I will let them pic who the male personel.
All the things already mention plus sales people that do the sports and know the products.
Not usually a betting man but if it had to be a tri guy the choice would likely be that german guy who won Hawaii last year…Norman something. And likely he’d need to be dressed similar to Jessi for maximum effect.
It needs to be close to ME. I am glad Tom D is only 45 minutes away.
Multiple clean, well ligthed fitting rooms with plenty of space.
A whole corner/shelf system dedicated to shaving cream/gel/razors and wax.
A well stocked, good selection of energy foods, drinks, mixes, and powders. Were talkin Rows of Sobe, coolers of Red bull, cans of Amp, ect… Clifbars, Powerbars, Snickers Marathons bars, ect… Gu, Powershot, Carboom, clifshot, ect… As well as carb and portien supplemetns. It would also need someone who actually knows what they are talking about and can unbiasly recommend different products.
F.I.S.T. certifed junkies behind the counter.
An attached painting room in the back of the shop, for custom work.
A life-sized, autographed cut-out of yours truly declaring it officially the coolest shop in the world.
And the ultimate topper would be a fully built Lotus hanging from the ceiling right as you walked in the door.
Sorta, but not really. There’s a difference b/w training and product-oriented improvement. I know of several shops with a “back room” where all the real paying customers go…the ones who pay by the hour rather than seeking freebie advise and then turning to ebay/online retailers.
Anowner that doesn’t post on the Forum…
I’ll give a plug out to trizilla. He pretty much has all of the listed items. Computrainer, Endless Pool, shoes, treadmill, FIST. etc.
This appears to be a huge financial investment. I cannot imagine the sales volume needed to keep it going. It sure is nice though.
Huge.
Every Wednesday night would be “Ladies’ Night”.
