Grassroots Outdoor Alliance welcomes Altra Footwear and Grand Trunk to national vendor partner network

October 12, 2017

OCTOBER 12, 2017 — KNOXVILLE, TENN – Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, the national organization dedicated to the health and growth of specialty outdoor retail, this month welcomes Altra Footwear and Grand Trunk to their national vendor network.

In addition to receiving unique benefits and access to Grassroots member retailers, both will be exhibiting at the upcoming Grassroots Connect buying show (Nov. 5-7, 2017) joining a community of more than 70 other vendor partners.

“Altra and Grand Trunk are great examples of ideal Grassroots Outdoor Alliance vendors. Both are unique and memorable national brands, both have a healthy foundation in independent specialty retail, and both are poised to grow sales and brand awareness among our community of retailers known for their ability to cultivate and prioritize return customers,” said Rich Hill, president of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance.

Altra Footwear (www.altrarunning.com) was founded in 2009 as a new idea to get chronically injured runners back on the road, and has grown into a progressive collection of high performance and high comfort lifestyle footwear. Altra is the only shoe company to provide a cushioned Zero Drop™ platform and FootShape™ toe box – an innovative combination that allows toes to relax and spread out naturally, promotes low-impact technique and maximizes running performance and comfort. 

“We could not be more pleased to become a member of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance. This group is made up of some our favorite retailers, and Altra looks forward to continuing to grow our shared customer base with new, uniquely healthy, and innovative footwear,” said Brian Roberts, Altra V.P. Sales

Grand Trunk (www.grandtrunk.com) is named after one of Asia’s oldest and longest roads, and was founded in 2001 by Jon Neff and Kevin Kaiser after their personal adventures intersected on a small island in Thailand. According to the company, “adventure travel isn’t for everyone, but only because they decide it’s not. Adventure is available to anyone, and it calls all types.”

“We remember as kids walking into stores with our dads, the excitement of being able to touch and feel the gear we would use for our upcoming camping trip and feeling at that very moment our adventure begin. We couldn’t be more passionate about being an official member of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, we’re excited to support you and go big. We believe brands can do better, for you, for our customers, because without you there is no us,” said Neff and Kaiser.

ABOUT GRASSROOTS OUTDOOR ALLIANCE:  Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is an active, independent network of 64 independent retailers working together for the health and growth of specialty outdoor retail. Through data collection and analysis, direct member support, specialty events and deep vendor partnerships, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is creating both a vision and roadmap for the long-term success of independent specialty retail. Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is also recognized as a catalyst for the success of its retailers and vendor partners; an advocate for specialty independent retail; a promoter of education and community within the specialty channel; and a key influencer of the national outdoor industry. For more information on Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, please go to www.grassrootsoutdoors.com.

ABOUT GRASSROOTS CONNECT: Grassroots Connect is an ideally timed, invitation-only buying show for the specialty outdoor industry hosted by Grassroots Outdoor Alliance. Scheduled as early as possible in the buying cycle, Connect provides a highly efficient opportunity for retailers, reps and vendors to present, discuss, plan and collect pre-season orders. Cost-effective and simple, Connect is both an incubator and testing ground for the greater outdoor industry. Invited retailers receive a per attendee reimbursement to offset their travel costs. Future confirmed dates include Knoxville, Tennessee (Nov. 7-10, 2017, and June 12-16, 2018). To request a retailer or vendor invitation, please go to http://www.grassrootsconnect.net/request-invitation

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