Road ID Launches Dealer Program
OutdoorHub 09.16.12
Road ID, manufacturer of the premiere line of identification gear for outdoor athletes and enthusiasts, is enjoying a booming start in its first introduction to brick and mortar storefronts.
Road ID, with distribution historically limited to direct to consumer online sales, has developed the Dealer Program in an effort to showcase its products in a retail environment. Road ID dealers are now able to educate their customers on the importance of wearing ID while giving them a hands-on demonstration of the product line.
Road ID has secured partnerships with over 900 retailers. Specialty run stores represent 49% of the accounts, while 33% of them are independent bike specialty shops. Six percent of the accounts are triathlon-dedicated storefronts while another twelve percent are categorized as “other,” chiefly specialty outdoor stores.
“The immediate success of this program is a pleasant surprise,” said Road ID co-owner Edward Wimmer. “I think a lot of people have heard about Road ID and now appreciate being able to see and test them in person. Our dealers are doing a great job of educating consumers on why wearing ID is vitally important, and are enjoying the simplicity of the program.”
The program costs dealers nothing to adopt, features a free Road ID Display that has a small footprint and showcases a variety of different styles of Road ID to effectively engage and educate consumers about the product.
Integrated into each display are coded brochures that offer a discount via free shipping. Customers then go online to order and customize their personalized Road ID product. By tracking each uniquely coded brochure, Road ID is able to provide Dealers with a commission on each purchase.
Road ID also gives dealers unique Road ID URLs to embed on their website or email newsletter — and when visitors click through to RoadID.com to place an order, retailers earn commission on those sales. As an added bonus, any future orders made by a mutual customer will also result in a commission for the dealer.
The program also allows retailers access to Road ID’s event sponsorship program which offers free bibs, as well as the opportunity to sell Road ID’s High Visibility line of products and Pre-Paid Gift Cards.
One of the first dealers to adopt the program, Michael Berger, the owner of Cadence Bikes & Multisport in Atlanta, said the Road ID Dealer Program helped him differentiate his storefront when he opened the doors in July, 2011, “The Road ID program was interesting to me because I am a big believer in Road ID. The display really aligns with our focus on service, and helps separate us from other stores in our area.”
