Freedom FREEDOM
SGB Outdoor spoke to Claire Crosby, co-owner of Trek-Kits in Oundle, near Peterborough about her FREEDOM membership and the benefits she enjoys
F
REEDOM is the outdoor buying arm of STAG, the group which has scored great success in the sports arena. STAG has a
combined total of 450 members, 80 of which are outdoor shops – and the number is growing. The benefits are numerous, as the group pledges to bring suitable retailers higher profit margins, strong relationships with top suppliers, accounts support, a superb biannual buying show, monthly special offers and a credit card rate which is genuinely amazing. Claire Crosby joined FREEDOM six months ago;
her company Trek Kits has been operational for around 18 months, and is all about putting kits together for expeditions. Claire explains: “If someone is going to the Sahara they can give me their size and I'll get all the kit they'll need and pack it in a kit bag and they are ready to go. Anything from Duke of Edinburgh youth challenge, or sailing kits, cycling kits or expedition kits – all levels of expeditions. “We also have a shop where we sell everything
that we put into the kits, plus extras such as family camping gear and clothing. And on top of that, we hire out boots, tents, sleeping bags and waterproofs. The shop is always busy and I get anyone from experienced climbers to people from the street.” So why join STAG’s outdoor arm, FREEDOM?
Claire said: “I was aware of the industry from previous experience and I knew as a small independent I wouldn't be offered any items with discounts. FREEDOM came to see me immediately and loved the whole concept.” Joining the group had an unforeseen benefit
too – Claire said that it has exposed her to suppliers and products she was unaware of and it’s had a knock-on effect to her business. “The STAG side has opened me up to product that I wasn't so aware of, for example I'm just putting together a cricket kit and the contact came through FREEDOM – they are opening me up to new ideas. Ward [Robertson, joint MD of STAG] is very knowledgeable.” So after six months of trading, has Claire seen
16 Ward Robertson, FREEDOM MD, enjoying the great outdoors
any short-term benefits? She assured SGB Outdoor that she has indeed. “Immediately I found that companies would open an account for me which, if I was introducing myself without FREEDOM’s backing, I would have found it more difficult. Also, companies approach me, which makes a nice change.”
FREEDOM benefits
• FREEDOM is the outdoor buying group of STAG • Enjoy higher profit margins through outstanding deals with some of the world's leading brands • Gain increased support and lower cost account processing • Get your exclusive invitation to the largest buying show in the UK • Take advantage of a host of monthly promotions in the STAG direct mailer • Access additional services that benefit across your business
The business model of FREEDOM is what stood
out to Claire; she joined because the discount structure appealed most of all, and that is a benefit which comes through the organisation’s central buying model. Claire concluded succinctly: "Central buying is the way forward for the independent."
SGB OUTDOOR JULY 2010
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