Ski retailers in the industry’s two premier buying groups, Sports Specialists Ltd (SSL) and Snowsports Merchandising Corporation (SMC), are used to getting great product pricing. Through their partnerships with CCA Sports Retail Services (CCA), a leading services provider for over 2,700 independent retailers in four different industries in the US, they’re also getting access to the best rates in the industry for AMEX, credit card processing and consumer financing. And with CCA’s recent launch of its Ski Club automated customer follow-up program, retailers now have access to a platform that will send triggered email communications to their customers on their behalf.

“With its combined retail volume in the billions, CCA has tremendous economies of scale to be able to negotiate lower rates than what even SMC's largest volume members can achieve,” said SMC president Tom Gately.  SMC member and Danzeisen & Quigley owner Joe Vitale agrees: “CCA Sports Retail Services saves us about $9,000 in operational costs each year by the rate reduction in American Express processing fees.”

Steve Rogers, SSL president & CEO, added, “Our partnership with CCA gives our members an opportunity to save thousands of dollars through CCA’s low rates on credit card processing and consumer financing, discounts on Grainger supplies and ADP payroll processing, and other business savings programs.” SSL board member and Princeton Sports owner Alan Davis was one of the first SSL retailers to enroll in CCA (members of CCA pay low monthly membership dues for access to their suite of programs and services). “I can conservatively say that we have added over $15,000 to our bottom line because of the credit card rates we get from CCA,” said Davis.

With the new addition of Ski Club to its suite of programs, ski retailers will now benefit even more by joining CCA. CCA’s vice president of marketing Tim Leaver said, “Ski Club drives repeat traffic and sales by sending automated, customizable thank you, tune-up reminder, rental reminder and customer appreciation emails to the store’s customers, and saves dealers valuable time in-season since the follow-up communications are sent on the store’s behalf. An added bonus: because we have already built the proprietary platform, there are no development or ongoing maintenance charges for the retailer.”

“We firmly believe the value that CCA’s savings and marketing programs bring to our members is significant,” added SMC’s Gately. “Now that dealers are off-season, we’re strongly encouraging them to contact CCA for a free savings analysis so they can see what they stand to gain by enrolling in their programs.”

ABOUT CCA SPORTS RETAIL SERVICES

CCA Sports Retail Services helps independent retailers maximize their profitability through combined economies of scale and through business savings and marketing programs. These retail services include cost savings and advertising programs designed to save retailers time, increase their revenue and maximize their profitability. For information on becoming a CCA Sports Retail Services member, call CCA SRS Member Services at 1-800-450-7595 or visit www.ccasrs.com.

ABOUT SNOWSPORTS MERCHANDISING CORPORATION

Snowsports Merchandising Corporation is the premier buying group of specialty ski and snowboard shops in the United States. Their mission is to provide their member retailers with a collection of programs and services designed to increase their profitability, support their customer service, and enhance their knowledge in an ever-changing snowsports industry. SMC is comprised of 60 retail businesses and over 150 retail storefronts covering 26 states. For more information visit www.snowsportsmerchandising.com.

ABOUT SPORTS SPECIALISTS LIMITED

Since 1971, Sports Specialists Ltd. (SSL) has been the leading marketing, purchasing, and merchandising group in the specialty ski, snowboard, outdoor, and casual furniture industries, with over 90 major supplier purchasing programs. The SSL community is made up of 52 retail businesses and over 130 retail storefronts in 26 states and D.C., with over $150 million in total snow sports retail sales.  For more information visit www.sportsspecialistsltd.com.