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Feature
Get a taste of the great outdoors
inside a Galyan’s 8 Entertainment Tenants
by Rich Timlen
Climb a mountain in your new sneakers, take
fly fishing lessons with your new rod, or just walk around and enjoy the great
outdoors. No, it’s not a vacation. It’s just the latest shopping experience that
can be found at the increasing number of Galyan’s stores rising up across the
nation.
The stores offer equipment for over 150 sports and outdoor activities, along
with a massive selection of footwear, athletic apparel, outerwear and casual
apparel. But what makes Galyan’s different from the other sporting goods stores
is that customers can try out the equipment before making a purchase. The
company typically seeks locations in a variety of markets with sizes ranging
from 65,000 sq.ft. to 100,000 sq.ft. The company locates in large malls and
strip and lifestyle centers.
The company currently operates 36 stores throughout 17 states and plans to open
a total of nine stores this year. Stores are currently in CO, GA, IL, IN, KS,
KY, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NV, NY, OH, TX, UT and VA. Planned locations include the
First & Main Town Center in Colorado Springs, CO; Geneva Commons in Geneva, IL;
Liberty Tree Mall in Danvers, MA; Meridian Mall in Okemos, MI; Missouri West
County Mall in Des Peres, MO; Galleria at Sunset in Henderson, NV and The Parks
at Arlington in Arlington, TX.
The stores offer athletic equipment, which includes golf and racquet sports,
team sports, fitness, health and exercise equipment and family recreation games.
Athletic and casual apparel include running, training and aerobics apparel,
khakis, jeans, sweaters and shorts, swimwear, licensed products and golf, tennis
and team apparel. Footwear includes athletic shoes, casual footwear, hiking and
hunting boots. Outdoor equipment includes camping, hunting and fishing
equipment, winters sports equipment and merchandise, bicycles and in-line
skates. Outdoor apparel includes technical and fashion outerwear, hunting and
fishing apparel, ski apparel and mountain outerwear, rainwear and work apparel.
The employees at Galyan’s are enthusiasts, and sometimes even sport pros. New
associates at the store are provided with more than 45 hours of product
training. The company advertises through television, radio and direct mail
efforts. Galyan’s also offers a Preferred Customer Program to enhance customer
loyalty and frequency. In 1946, Albert and Naomi Galyan opened the first
Galyan’s store in Indianapolis, IN. It started as a grocery store with few
hardware and sports related products and soon evolved into a complete sporting
goods store. After years, the store ownership was passed on to Pat Galyan,
Albert and Naomi’s son, and the company soon expanded to five stores. Galyan’s
went national with the opening of a store in Columbus, OH. That store was then
acquired by The Limited, Inc. in July of 1995. Under The Limited, Galyan’s
expanded to a total of 18 stores in seven markets. In August 1999, Galyan’s
management joined with Freeman Spogli & Co. to purchase majority ownership of
the company from The Limited. The company recently named Edwin Holman as
president and chief operating officer.
For more information, contact Galyan’s Trading Co., 2437 East Main Street,
Plainfield, IN 46168; 317-532-0200.
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