The swim/bike/run industry honors its own at the Triathlon Business International conference each February. This is not like any other set of awards, because the nominees and the winners are chosen primarily by those who live and work in this milieu every day.
A few weeks ago we announced the TBI/Slowtwitch 50, that list of 50 retailer stores that have distinguished themselves in their service to triathletes. That list was presented in alphabetical order, and we promised to list the top-10 upon their naming at the TBI Conference.
This list is presented in order of votes received. The point totals were generated by vendors voting for the retailers to whom they sell. It was one vendor, one vote, and 50 vendors participated in the voting. Vote totals made up 85 percent of a retailer’s score. The other 15 percent consisted of end user ratings and rankings along with certain target metrics each retailer needed to establish.
There were a pair of algorithms tested, and in one algorithm Nytro Multisport came out on top, and in another Trisports.com achieved the top overall score. In the end we chose the second of the two algorithms, however in each Nytro and Trisports were in a virtual tie. All3Sports was 3rd place regardless of the algorithm we chose. The voting and algorithms were conducted and generated by Slowtwitch.com.
Those casting ballots were asked to consider only the brick and mortar services provided to consumers, and not to consider a chain of stores, rather to vote on specific “doors”. They were asked to cast their votes according to the following criteria:
- Superior technical and brand knowledge.
- Broad and deep tri-related inventory in stock.
- Strong service to the local community.
- Specific knowledge of triathlon.
- Strong ability to match the right product, size, and set-up to the customer.
- Strong intangibles (local sponsorship of races, training rides and runs, athletes and clubs, bringing in guest speakers).
Emphasis was also placed on superior service to those in specific geographies, that is, not simply which are the top retailers, but which retailers do an outstanding job at servicing triathletes in their regional communities.
All 10 honorees were called on the stage by conference emcee Mike Reilly, the voice of Ironman and a TBI board member (pictured above), and received their awards from him.
The top 10 retailers servicing triathletes in the United States are as follows:
1. Trisports.com, Tucson, AZ
2. Nytro Multisport, Encinitas, CA
3. All3Sports, Atlanta, GA
4. Jack and Adams, Austin, TX
5. Athletes Lounge, Portland, OR
6. R&A Cycles, Brooklyn, NY
7. Gear West Bike, Long Lake, MN
8. Inside Out Sports, Cary, NC
9. Triathlon LAB, Santa Monica, CA
10. Speedy Reedy, Seattle, WA
