News from National Ski & Snowboard Retailers Association!

Welcome to the NSSRA Newsletter. This publication is sent to all NSSRA members via email and be posted on the NSSRA website, www.nssra.com.

We welcome your comments and ideas for articles in future issues. In addition, if there is an issue troubling you, this newsletter is the appropriate vehicle to bring that topic to the attention of your fellow retailers.

Teddy Schiavoni, Summit Ski & Snowboard

NSSRA Chairman of the Board

Larry Weindruch

NSSRA President

NSSRA Chairman's Letter:

Beginning a New Era for Retailers

The "Retail Apocalypse" has ended. Congratulations to you, the Survivors. Now we rebuild and work together in the new era.

Data: We've spent two-plus years framing up a new resource for industry-wide POS data, with SportsOneSource. I'm happy to say: We're delivering!

The first launch went out last week and from here on we are "pointing 'em straight and going for it." This data platform was built by the NSSRA retailers and structured to benefit the same. It's in the best interest of the entire industry to support this project.

Retailers who participate by providing POS data will receive insights useable in weighing your own sell through vs. the larger scale reports. Participate, and use these tools to improve your business.

Brands are encouraged to review the data and consider its benefits. This platform refreshes weekly, delivering the timeliest resource our industry has ever seen. What's more, by retailer design, this data is available down to the color and size throughout all categories. We're able to provide insights brands may have never known, but always wanted.

Brands may join NSSRA as Supporting Members to gain access to weekly reporting insights. Retailers are all encouraged to connect their POS systems to the platform and reap the benefits. Every shop matters. No one is too small, and all are equally important to the success of this industry-wide project.

For a demo and more information, please visit the NSSRA booth #32001-UL, located in the forward left corner of the Alpine Hardgoods section of the Outdoor Retailer + Snow show, next week.

Sell-through: Your margin is only as good as your sell-through! Brands have come to appreciate the value of their wholesale distribution channels and acting on the opportunity. First movers are sharing resources to help convert sales on behalf of retailers. This is being done in new and innovative ways, with a very light load, fair and equal to all re

tailers. Ask your brands what they're doing to support Local business.

Collaboration: We've been working closely through SIA in a newly-formed Stakeholders coalition. Together with organizations such as USSA, NSAA, PSIA and others, we're discussing ways to collaborate and work more efficiently together to strengthen and support growth in snow sports. There's no magic bullet here, but the initiative to meet regularly is a giant step in the right direction for our industry. Your opinions matter to us and if you have any suggestions for NSSRA to bring to these meetings on behalf of retailers, feel free to reach out with those thoughts.

Looking forward to seeing you at the new OR + Snow show. Please stop by our booth to say hi.

All the best,

Teddy Schiavoni

Chairman, NSSRA

You Are Invited To the NSSRA Annual Member Meeting

The meeting will be held on the first day of the Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show, Thursday, January 25, in Room 505 of the Colorado Convention Center (the same room as 2017). Bring your questions, concerns and issues to be answered and addressed by members of the NSSRA Board of Directors. This is an ideal opportunity to find out what's new in your association and to meet with fellow specialty snow sports retailers. There will be refreshments afterward for a casual networking opportunity.

Visit NSSRA's Booth at the

Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show

With the merger of Outdoor Retailer and the Snow Show, we are fortunate to have been assigned a very nice booth location. Show dates are January 25-28, at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. Our booth number is 32001-UL, which is in the same hall where we have been for several years. When you enter the hall, make a left, and we'll be along the wall on your left. A couple of our service provider partners are also in that hall. SportsOneSource, which provides weekly point of sale research reports, is in Booth 30072, and our gear shipping partner SporTube is in Booth 46000 along the front wall next door to NSSRA supporting member Horizon Agency. The complete floorplan is available to view by clicking here.

Don't Get Shut Out:

Reserve Your Hotel Room Today

Go to https://www.outdoorretailer.com/travel/hotels/ or call (864) 208-2376 to make your reservations, which are provided by EventSphere, the official housing partner of the show.

Benefits of booking within the official housing block include: exclusive show rates; flexible cancellation policies; reservation relocation protection; U.S. based contact center open 24/7/365; exclusive promotions and perks; pre-arrival acknowledgement emails including a hotel confirmation number will be provided approximately seven days prior to arrival; and on-site customer support presence at the show.

For more information, contact EventSphere at [email protected].

Renew Your Membership Online

The new NSSRA website has a fresh look and several updated features, including the capability of accepting secure membership renewals online through Authorize.net. Check out the website at www.nssra.com. Your 2018 membership renewal notices will be mailed shortly. You can renew online or by completing the form and returning it in the business reply envelope that accompanies your renewal notice.

Mark Your Calendar

The five-year calendar for the Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show begins with the previously announced 2018 dates and extends through 2022. Outdoor Retailer is committed to Denver, and the Colorado Convention Center, which will host all Outdoor Retailer's trade shows:

2018

Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show: January 25-28

Outdoor Retailer Summer Market: July 23-26

Outdoor Retailer Winter Market: November 8-11

2019

Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show: January 8-11

Outdoor Retailer Summer Market: June 17-20

Outdoor Retailer Winter Market: November 5-8

2020

Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show: January 7-10

Outdoor Retailer Summer Market: June 22-25

Outdoor Retailer Winter Market: November 9-12

2021

Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show: January 11-14

Outdoor Retailer Summer Market: June 14-17

Outdoor Retailer Winter Market: November 15-18

2022

Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show: January 10-13

Outdoor Retailer Summer Market: June 10-13

Outdoor Retailer Winter Market: November 11-14

Tips for Using Co-Op Funds

For Content Marketing

Manufacturers and distributors that supply mid-market and enterprise retail businesses will sometimes pay retailers to place ads alongside online content as part of a cooperative advertising program. The secret to receiving this funding is in how the retailer asks for it. Read More

A Closer Look at 2018 FedEx and UPS Rate Increases

With the New Year approaching, it's time to look at the UPS and FedEx rate increases for 2018 and how they will affect your costs. In September, FedEx announced an average increase of 4.9% on Express and Ground services. UPS joined the party in October, announcing that it will also increase its rates by an average of 4.9%. The new UPS rates took effect December 24, 2017, while FedEx started them January 1, 2018.

Here are some quick facts:

FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, and FedEx Home Delivery rates will increase an average of 4.9%
UPS Ground, UPS Air, and international rates will increase an average of 4.9%
UPS is lowering the dimensional weight divisor to 139 for domestic packages less than or equal to one cubic foot in size (1,728 cubic inches)
Surcharges for larger packages will rise sharply
FedEx is adding a 2.5% third party billing surcharge to match UPS

The averages might be the same, but the rates vary. With higher increases for some services and lower increases for others, you can't budget based on your costs increasing 4.9%. It's important to look at what services you use, your package characteristics, and the locations you're shipping to. You will need to evaluate the new rate charts, the surcharge increases, and other changes to find your biggest cost offenders.

The 2018 FedEx and UPS rate increases are proof that the carriers are getting smarter, hitting shippers where it hurts most. Luckily, you don't have to navigate the changes alone. PartnerShip

^®, the company that manages the NSSRA Shipping Program, has evaluated the new rate charts and completed a detailed analysis, so it's easier for NSSRA Members to assess the impact on their shipping costs. Download the free white paper at PartnerShip.com/RateIncrease!

When you enroll in the NSSRA Shipping Program, you receive exclusive discounts on select FedEx

^® services - helping to offset the 2018 rate increases. For more information or to enroll today, visit

PartnerShip.com/14nssra or call 800-599-2902.

News Digest

Arc'teryx Procline Boots Recall: Arc'teryx Equipment is voluntarily recalling Procline Boots due to fall hazard. The affected Procline Boots were manufactured between November 1, 2015 and March 31, 2017. In a small number of boots, it has been reported that the axis pin has dislodged, which may cause the skier to lose control or fall and suffer injuries. If the boot does not have a colored dot on the inside of the spoiler, then it is part of the recall.

Consumers should immediately stop using these Procline Boots and return them directly to Arc'teryx Equipment for repair. Follow the instructions online to submit a repair form. A customer service representative will contact consumers regarding next steps and provide the prepaid shipping label.

Arc'teryx will repair the boots, keep consumers informed of the status and ship the boots back at no cost.