Welcome to the Board Retailers Association (BRA) website. Below you will find helpful and relevant articles that we carefully curate for the benefit of our BRA Retail Members several times per week. Be sure to scroll through the most recent articles or use the Search/Lookup feature in the Menu above to find topics and keywords related to recent and not-so-recent articles that may help you lower costs, increase margins, or create more remarkable customer experiences. We deliberately made this our site landing page to demonstrate our commitment to “Protecting Retailers and a Lifestyle” for over 20 years (since 2003).
Be sure to visit the About Us, Retail Member Benefits and Join pages on this site to learn more about and benefit from our resourceful nonprofit trade association committed to helping board specialty, outdoor specialty, and lifestyle specialty retailers to survive, thrive, and keep “the special in specialty” for free.
“Fighting Racism and Becoming Better Allies” by Melissa Campanelli via Total Retail
Welcome to this week's Retail Resources. This week, I'm dedicating this post to what I believe are valuable resources to help retail business leaders fight racism and become better allies. If there's anything you would like me to share in a future post, let me...
“Training Sales Associates in the Post-COVID World” by ENDVR via Shop Eat Surf
Please click on the following link to view this absolutely relevant Shop Eat Surf Article about BRA Supporting Vendor Partner ENDVR: Training Sales Associates in the Post-COVID World Be sure to visit the Shop Eat Surf website to view valuable...
“HOW TWO SHOPS ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE PANDEMIC” by LARRY LANZA via JENKEM MAG
It’s no secret that, prior to the pandemic, one of the greatest things about a skateshop was its fixture as a hub for the community, serving as a place to hang out, talk shit, and ask for a pivot cup or spare bearing or something. But with the shutdowns, shops have to...
“Five retail experts—from Nike, Athleta, and more—on how stores and brands can survive the COVID-19 era” by Elizabeth Segran via Fast Company
10 MINUTE READ For Fast Company’s Shape of Tomorrow series, we’re asking business leaders to share their inside perspective on how the COVID-19 era is transforming their industries. Here’s what’s been lost—and what could be gained—in the new world...
“Facebook and Instagram Launch Shops for Businesses” by Kristina Stidham via Total Retail
Facebook and Instagram have launched a new Shop feature, allowing consumers to make purchases directly on businesses' Facebook pages or Instagram profiles, reports TechCrunch. The social network's (Facebook own Instagram) new tools go further than its previous...
“Bright Spots Emerge at Core Retail” by Tiffany Montgomery via Shop Eat Surf
Please click on the following link to view this absolutely relevant Shop Eat Surf Article (about BRA Distinguished Retail Member Hi-Tech Surf Shop): Bright Spots Emerge At Core Retail Be sure to visit the Shop Eat Surf website to view valuable...
“Reopening Your Store after Covid-19: The Things You Are Not Yet Thinking About” – Relevant Webinar (Now Available On Demand) brought to you by Dan Jablons of Retail Smart Guys and Board Retailers Association
In this valuable webinar, Dan Jablons of Retail Smart Guys (https://www.retailsmartguys.com) will provide some guidance for independent retailers like you to help open your stores after Covid-19. This super informative webinar will cover store layouts, staffing,...
“See Which States Are Reopening and Which Are Still Shut Down” By Sarah Mervosh, Jasmine C. Lee, Lazaro Gamio and Nadja Popovich (Updated May 21, 2020)
Since late April, when the first states began to lift restrictions put in place to curb the coronavirus outbreak, a new pattern has played out across America: The number of new cases of the coronavirus continues to grow, as does the number of people returning to...
“Facebook debuts Shops e-commerce initiative for small businesses” by Robert Williams via Retail Dive
Brief: Facebook unveiled Facebook Shops, a new feature to help small businesses in the U.S. turn their social media profiles into digital storefronts. Businesses can set up a single online store for customers to access on Facebook's core social network and...
“Hi-Tech Owner on Business Trends Since Hawaii Opened Up” via Shop Eat Surf
Please click on the following link to view this absolutely relevant Shop Eat Surf Article (about BRA Distinguished Retail Member Hi-Tech Surf Shop): Hi-Tech Owner on Business Trends Since Hawaii Opened Up Be sure to visit the Shop Eat Surf website to...
“New Survey Results Show Core Retailers As More Optimistic” provided by Action Watch (BRA Supporting Vendor Partner)
Thanks to Action Watch for supporting BRA as a Supporting Vendor Partner and for providing the following intel directly to our organization. The following survey results represent the status for independent surf and skate specialty retailers during the first week of...
“Introducing The Shop Local Project” via Shop Eat Surf
Please click on the following link to view this Shop Eat Surf Article: Introducing TheShopLocalProject.com BRA note: This helpful non-profit initiative was created by BRA Supporting Vendor Partner ENDVR.io and is backed by Board Retailers Association...
“COVID-19 is Spurring a New Kind of Localism – FOR ONCE, DISCOURAGING OUT-OF-TOWN SURFERS IS ABOUT MORE THAN LOCALS’ WAVE COUNT” by ZANDER MORTON via Surfer Mag
Photo Credit: Grant Ellis - As beaches reopen, some surfers try to regulate their local lineups to avoid overcrowding during the COVID crisis In March, coastal communities around the world closed their beaches in an attempt to curb group gatherings and stop the spread...
“Ron Jon President on Store Openings” by Tiffany Montgomery via Shop Eat Surf
Please click on the following link to view this absolutely relevant Shop Eat Surf Article (about BRA Distinguished Retail Member Ron Jon's Surf Shop): Ron Jon's President on Store Openings Be sure to visit the Shop Eat Surf website to view valuable...
“Retail Recovery Playbook” – Courtesy of Retail Smart Guys and Management One
Click the following link to view this excellent strategic retail resource courtesy of Dan Jablons of Retail Smart Guys and the awesome people at Management One: Retail Recovery Playbook If you would like access to more resources that help you to lower day to day...
“Skateparks Filled With Sand, So What, Shut Up And Skate – Venice and San Clemente skateparks get filled in with sand, here’s why it’s okay” by Jaime Owens via Transworld Skateboarding
When videos of the San Clemente and Venice, CA skateparks getting filled with sand went viral last week, many in the skateboarding population and beyond had real negative reactions – the outrage was fast, extreme, and polarizing. There was a lot of online...
“See Which States Are Reopening and Which Are Still Shut Down” By Sarah Mervosh, Jasmine C. Lee, Lazaro Gamio and Nadja Popovich via The New York Times
After weeks of shutdown because of the coronavirus pandemic, the nation is beginning to slowly open up. Beaches and state parks are reopening to visitors, spurring concerns about overcrowding. The first barbers have returned to work, masks over their faces. Even some...
“LIBERATING SKATE SPOTS WITH THE KNOB BUSTER” via Jenkem Mag
Skate stoppers are an unfortunate reality for skaters, but if you live in Southern California, you now have a masked hero who is alleviating these pains by unknobbing spots all across Los Angeles County for skaters to enjoy. The Knob Buster, as he’s known, prefers to...
“What’s Selling at Aqua East?” via Shop Eat Surf (Executive Edition)
Please click on the following link to view this excellent Shop Eat Surf Article: What’s Selling at Aqua East? Please note that this article featuring BRA Distinguished Retailer Aqua East Surf Shop is a Shop Eat Surf Executive Edition article so you will need to...
“U.S. Supreme Court Delivers Victory for the Clean Water Act!” by Angela Howe via Surfrider Foundation
Surfrider Foundation and our co-plaintiffs in the Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund v. County of Maui case are celebrating an important victory today with the decision to protect water quality and the intent of the Clean Water Act by the United States Supreme...
“Core Retailer Survey on Ability to Survive Crisis” provided by Action Watch (BRA Supporting Vendor Partner)
Thanks to Action Watch for supporting BRA as a Supporting Vendor Partner and for providing the following intel directly to our organization. Thanks again to Action Watch for supporting BRA as Supporting Vendor Partner and for providing this intel directly to our...
“Jeff Kearl on How Pandemic May Change Industry Going Forward” via Shop Eat Surf (Executive Edition)
Please click on the following link to view this excellent Shop Eat Surf Article: Jeff Kearl On How Pandemic May Change Industry Going Forward Please note that this particular article is a Shop Eat Surf Executive Edition article so you will need to sign up and...
“Businesses Look to Government Lifelines in Order to Survive” by Andrew Asch via Apparel News
Like thousands of other businesses, Pocket Square Clothing, a maker of suiting accessories and bespoke clothing, had to furlough its staff because of the COVID-19 crisis. PSC co-founders Rodolfo Ramirez and Andrew Cheung saw their business come to a sudden halt...
“Complimentary Webinars hosted by the good people behind Surf Expo and Outdoor Retailer” via SurfExpo.com
This series of complimentary webinars led by experts is designed to help Retailers combat and navigate through the challenges that COVID-19 has posted, and find success despite the obstacles ahead. We have partnered with Outdoor Retailer, ASD Market...
“Brain Floss: Paul Kobriger” via Transworld Skateboarding
April 10, 2020 This one’s amazing and special to us. Paul worked as our Marketing Director for several years and rediscovered his love and talent for illustration while at Transworld. We saw his hobby turn into a full blown artist’s awakening, and he even penned...
“Coastal Breeze Can Carry COVID-19 More Than 6 Feet, Says Virus Expert – IN CASE YOU NEEDED ONE MORE REASON TO STAY AWAY FROM THE BEACH” by Todd Prodanovich via Surfer Mag
Photo Credit: Grant EllisA perfect example of what not to do. Malibu crowds, sometime before the COVID-19 pandemic. Between stay-at-home orders, threats of fines for surfing and the off chance of getting shot at (if you happen to live in Costa Rica), there...
“Jeff Grosso R.I.P. 1968-2020” via Transworld Skateboarding
Today, legendary ’80s vert skater and host of Vans’ ” Loveletters To Skateboarding” Jeff Grosso passed away at his home (1968-2020). We don’t have any details right now, but our deepest condolences go out to his family, close friends, and all his fans around the world...
“Why Are Surfers Getting Shot At By Police In Costa Rica?” by Zander Morton via Surfer Mag
Photo Credit: Instagram - A frame from the viral video of a surfer being shot at by a police officer in Playa Hermosa., Costa Rica. LOCAL NOE MAR MCGONAGLE ON THE RECENT DRAMA AMID THE COUNTRY'S COVID-19 LOCKDOWN We’re all in this COVID-19 crisis together. Isn’t that...
“MY DOORS ARE CLOSED…..NOW WHAT??” by BRA Supporting Vendor Partner Dave Seehafer of Global Wave Ventures
(aka how to stay stoked during these crazy times!)In the past couple of weeks, I’ve had numerous conversations with specialty retailers across the nation to brainstorm ways to keep revenue flowing, customers happy, employees paid and much more. Here are a few ideas...
“Brands Find Varied Ways to Help Corona Virus Fight” via Shop Eat Surf
Please click on the following link to view this absolutely relevant Shop Eat Surf Article: Brands Find Varied Ways to Help Corona Virus Fight Be sure to visit the Shop Eat Surf website to view valuable Industry News and Resourceful Articles regularly via this...
“How U.S. Surf Shops Are Trying to Adapt During COVID-19 Pandemic” by James Burke via Surfer Mag
IT’S FAR FROM BUSINESS AS USUAL AT OUR CULTURAL WATERING HOLES Many surf shops that have been around for decades, like Hansen's Surfboards, have taken a big hit in sales this month due to the COVID-10 outbreak. Photo credit: Hansens It’s hard times all around as we...
“Some Landlords Offering Rent Relief to Retailers” via Shop Eat Surf (plus rent relief request form letter template resource from Board Retailers Association)
Please click on the following link to view this absolutely relevant Shop Eat Surf Article: Some Landlords Offering Rent Relief to Retailers Be sure to visit the Shop Eat Surf website to view valuable Industry News and Resourceful Articles regularly via...
“2020 Tokyo Olympics Will Be Postponed Due To Pandemic, According to IOC Member “ON THE BASIS OF THE INFORMATION THE IOC HAS, POSTPONEMENT HAS BEEN DECIDED”” via Surfer Mag
Photo Credit: Moran Kolohe Andino might have to wait another year to chase gold. Just a month ago, at the end of February, rumors began circulating about the possible cancellation of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Games if the coronavirus continued to spread worldwide. A...
“FREE DROP SHIP COMMERCE FROM EXCHANGE COLLECTIVE”
BRA Supporting Vendor Partner, Exchange Collective, is here to help our BRA Retail Members BELOW IS A MESSAGE FROM OUR FRIENDS AT THE EXCHANGE COLLECTIVE. With retailers having to shut down, Exchange Collective wants to help be a part of a proactive solution to...
“Brand Leaders Paint Grim Picture of Current Challenges” via Shop Eat Surf (Executive Edition)
Photo courtesy of CDC Please click on the following link to view this somewhat disturbing Shop Eat Surf Article: Brand Leaders Paint Grim Picture of Current Challenges Please note that this particular article is a Shop Eat Surf Executive Edition article so you...
“Olympics Postponed and Hierarchy Breakdown” by Dave Carnie via Transworld Skateboarding
Editor’s Note: USA Today just confirmed that the Olympics have been postponed until 2021. This story highlights the cancellations prior to this news and the Hierarchy of the Olympics. On March 13, 2020, the World Skate site provided an update regarding the...
“How to Save your Local Gear Shop” via SNEWS
The coronavirus crisis has hit independent retailers hard. Let's make sure they (you) can weather the storm. Spread the message and help us save local retailers. As the coronavirus crisis spreads, independent retailers are hurting badly. (Even before this...
“IS IT SAFE TO SKATE IN THE TIME OF CORONAVIRUS?” via Jenkem Mag
by CHRISTIAN KERR Just a few months ago, when the first person died of a mysterious new form of the coronavirus in China, we were still arguing over the pretentious poetics of Verso. But now, with over 173,000 confirmed cases and nearly 7,000 deaths...
“Updated: Store Closures Mount, Independents Get Creative” via Shop Eat Surf
Please click on the following link to view this informative Shop Eat Surf Article: Updated: Store Closures Mount, Independents Get Creative Be sure to visit the Shop Eat Surf website to view valuable Industry News and Resourceful Articles regularly via this...
“SIMA Award Winners Announced (including Retailers of the Year)” via SIMA email announcement
WINNERS FROM THE 16TH ANNUAL SIMA AWARDS More than 300 attendees from surf companies, specialty retail shops and friends of the industry attended the 16th Annual SIMA Awards on March 11, 2020 to cheer on and celebrate the outstanding innovations and contributions made...
“The WSL Cancels First World Tour Stop Due to Coronavirus” via Surfer Mag
ALL OTHER WSL EVENTS IN MARCH WILL ALSO BE CANCELED AS COVID-19 FEARS ESCALATE MARCH 12, 2020 BY ASHTYN DOUGLAS Photo Credit: Chachi The World Surf League just announced that due to the quickly escalating situation surrounding the COVID-19, all...
“AN INTERVIEW WITH A SKATER UNDER CORONAVIRUS QUARANTINE IN CHINA” via JENKEM Mag
MARCH 10, 2020 /NIC DOBIJA-NOOTENS Unlike most world news events, the COVID-19 coronavirus has already been affecting the skateboarding world. But in between wondering whether the Olympics will be postponed and whether we’ll even have to go to work anymore,...
“Is the Coronavirus Threatening Surfing’s Olympic Debut? IOC SENIOR OFFICIAL SAYS GAMES MAY BE CANCELED BECAUSE OF SPREADING VIRUS” via Surfer Mag
Photo Credit: Craig - Kolohe Andino The Tokyo Olympic Games are scheduled to open in five months on July 24. Japan is reportedly spending at least $25 billion to put the games together, twice what they budgeted for the events. 11,000 athletes are gearing up for Tokyo....
“HOW NIKE SB’S DUNK CULTURE AFFECTS SKATE SHOPS” via JENKEM Mag
MARCH 5, 2020 /IAN BROWNING The Travis Scott Dunks, which were released in skate shops last weekend, were a financial blessing for skate shops but also a headache for employees. Although shops posted detailed info on social media about how the shoes would...
“Introducing Team USA’s Olympic Skateboarding Uniforms via Transworld Skate” by Dave Carnie
As you surely know, Nike released their Olympic Skateboarding uniform collection last week for the four Olympic Skateboard Federations they sponsor: Brazil, France, Japan, and USA. Nike delivered a handsome apparel collection, but not everyone is pleased with it. The...
“CHRIS HASLAM LAUNCHED A NEW BOARD BRAND FOR CHARITY” via JENKEM Mag
BEN STODDARD & MIKE BRADLEY /VIDEOS Like sub-prime mortgages in the mid-2000s, there are way too many pro-skater-owned board brands today. So when we heard Chris Haslam was starting one to kind of stave off retirement, we didn’t think much. But unlike...
“How Burton and SPY Made Their Sales Contests Better in 2020”
Please click on the following link to view this informative Shop Eat Surf Article: How Burton and SPY Made Their Sales Contests Better in 2020 Be sure to visit the Shop Eat Surf website to view valuable Industry News and Resourceful Articles regularly via this...
“Skateboarding improves mental health, helps build diverse relationships, USC study says” via LA Times
Julian Jeang-Agliardi jumps a ramp at Vans Off the Wall Skate Park on May 9 in Huntington Beach (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)By LA Times CITY NEWS SERVICE February 26, 2020 USC researchers have found multiple benefits in skateboarding, ranging from mental...
“Skateistan Documentary ‘Learning to Skateboard in a War Zone (if you’re a girl)’ Wins Oscar” by Transworld Skateboarding
Skateistan Documentary Wins Oscar February 14, 2020 By TWS This past Sunday night, “Learning To Skateboard In A Warzone (If you’re a girl)” a documentary about Skateistan’s operation in Kabul, Afghanistan won an Oscar for Best Documentary Short Subject and the skate...
“Skate Shop Day” happens on Feb. 19th – FAQs & more
What is Skate Shop Day? Skate Shop Day, like Record Store Day and Comic Book Store Day, is the day that the skateboard community celebrates our cultural hubs, the foundations of every skate scene, the places that bring skaters together and act as the glue for...
“Never Mind the Internet. Here’s What’s Killing Malls. Yes, the internet has changed the way we shop. But taken together, other factors have caused greater harm to traditional retail stores, an economist says.” by Austan Goolsbee in The New York Times
By Austan Goolsbee Published Feb. 13, 2020 It has been a tough decade for brick-and-mortar retailers, and matters seem only to be getting worse. Despite a strong consumer economy, physical retailers closed more than 9,000 stores in 2019 — more than the total in 2018,...
“Evo is paving a new kind of future for outdoor retail” by Amelia Arveson via SNEWS
Evo is paving a new kind of future for outdoor retail By investing in real estate, adventures, youth, and its fellow retailers, evo founder Bryce Phillips is building a cohesive and complete adventure community. by AMELIA ARVESEN FEB 10, 2020 Evo’s story starts like...
Register for free webinar – Retail Outlook: Improve, Engagement, Profit, and Sustainability with Analytics (Feb 25th)
As the retail industry rapidly changes, a company’s ability to exceed customer expectations—from browsing experiences to delivery—continues to determine profit and sustainability. Join us for a webcast to learn how successful retailers are using advanced data to...
“SIMA Awards Finalists Announced”
Please click on the following link to view this excellent Shop Eat Surf Article: SIMA Awards Finalists Announced Be sure to visit the Shop Eat Surf website to view valuable Industry News and Resourceful Articles regularly via this link: Shop Eat Surf
“Thoughts from Outdoor Retailer / Snow Show” by Jeff Harbaugh
Thoughts from Outdoor Retailer/Snow Show February 6, 2020 in Market Watch Column, Trade Shows by Jeff Harbaugh The first thing you think when you walk into the show is what an incredibly great idea it was to consolidate The Snow Show with Outdoor Retailer. The second...
“Danny Harf wins the Legend Award, the latest in wakeboarding’s most exclusive club, there has never been another Legend like Harf” by Wakeboarding Magazine
Danny Harf Wins The Legend Award The latest in wakeboarding’s most exclusive club, there has never been another Legend like Harf By Wakeboarding Magazine The Legend Award is arguably the biggest honor a wakeboarder can receive. Created at the inception of the Wake...
“Could Statistical Analysis Predict Who Will Win the Next ‘CT Event? HOW A PROFESSOR OF BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE USED A PREDICTIVE MODEL TO WIN FANTASY SURFER” by RAY BERGMAN via Surfer Mag
Could Statistical Analysis Predict Who Will Win the Next ‘CT Event? HOW A PROFESSOR OF BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE USED A PREDICTIVE MODEL TO WIN FANTASY SURFER JANUARY 31, 2020 BY RAY BERGMAN Each year since 2003, thousands of Fantasy Surfer players attempt to predict the...
“Brands that Won at Core Stores in 2019” via Shop Eat Surf
Please click on the following link to view this excellent Shop Eat Surf Article: Brands that Won at Core Stores in 2019 Please note that this particular article is a Shop Eat Surf Executive Edition article so you will need to sign up and pay for access before viewing....
“A Talk with Ron Jon Leaders at New Disney Springs Store” via Shop Eat Surf
Please click on the following link to view this excellent Shop Eat Surf Article: A Talk with Ron Jon Leaders at New Disney Springs Store Please note that this particular article is a Shop Eat Surf Executive Edition article so you will need to sign up and pay for...
“Shaping Icon Maurice Cole on Racism, Cancer and the Power of Surfing – The Australian Legend in his own words” by JUSTIN HOUSMAN via Surfer Mag
Shaping Icon Maurice Cole on Racism, Cancer and the Power of Surfing THE AUSTRALIAN LEGEND IN HIS OWN WORDS JANUARY 18, 2020 BY JUSTIN HOUSMAN Short film by Peter Baker The often cloistered, impenetrable surf world could use a lot more figures like Maurice Cole....