Sierra Trading Post goes full retail

[Ron]

Looks like STP has gone to full retail and is selling new product at MAP and MSRP. Very interesting. The new platform is the same as Campsaver.

 

[Dadskier]

They've built a physical store outside of Boston in Framingham, just down the road from REI. I haven't checked it out yet. The TJX companies are based in the area so it makes sense, but I was assuming it was going to be discount.

 

[Sibhusky]

I haven't found anything that's a great deal in a while, maybe that's why?

 

[Ron]

yeah, i always check in to see what they have but noticed they stopped bringing in most closeout stuff,

 

[Wilhelmson]

Still seem to have plenty of gloves on sale.

 

[Muleski]

I loved the "old" or more recent STP. Shopping on line, finding great prices, and then driving the price down even more with their various coupons and daily deals. Became almost like a separate sport of it's own.

In the greater Boston area, particularly MetroWest where STP has or will have two stores, there is a pretty long history of various outdoor type shops coming and closing. REI for example is not always my cup of tea, but it's a darn good franchise.

So, do we think STP is pretty much exiting the discount business? Who are the other players in that niche? Steep and Deep? The Climb?

I remember @Brian Finch's score of his Head Titans on STP a year ago....at about 20% or less of MSRP!

 

[Philpug]

 

[jmeb]

Some are.

But a friend of mine picked up some Dps Zelda 106 Foundations for $329 shipped yesterday. 2nds sure, but they are this model year and more than 50% off any other online price I can find right now.

Still, nothing like the old deals. I got some El Capos on there for $115 2 years back.

 

[Uncle-A]

With TJX and their sister store Marshalls selling discount and close out items STP does not need to have a discount rack they just send it to one of the others stores in the group. I have purchased ski clothing from both TJX & Marshalls for a reduced rate for some time. Their jackets and under layers are very well priced, I have not found any good prices on ski pants.

 

[Jenny]

Bummer. They're building a store here in GR and I was hoping for the deals!

 

[jmeb]

Bummer. They're building a store here in GR and I was hoping for the deals!

The good: easy, free returns for stuff purchased online.

The bad: online will have sales tax applied.

 

[KingGrump]

The good: easy, free returns for stuff purchased online.

The bad: online will have sales tax applied.

STP been charging sales tax on my orders for quite a while now.
Around my area, they have a retail store in Nanuet, NY and one opening in Hanover, NJ. Both are hour plus away with no traffic. Good luck on the no traffic part. $20+ in toll on top of that. The $7 return shipping charge doesn't look so bad. .

 

[Wilhelmson]

Framingham is an hour from me with no traffic so I won't be going there anytime soon. Agree it's not the same as before with the extra 20% off free shipping offers, but I doubt they'll go full retail; they bought Sierra to increase their online sales (smart move).

 

[Brian Finch]

I loved the "old" or more recent STP. Shopping on line, finding great prices, and then driving the price down even more with their various coupons and daily deals. Became almost like a separate sport of it's own.

In the greater Boston area, particularly MetroWest where STP has or will have two stores, there is a pretty long history of various outdoor type shops coming and closing. REI for example is not always my cup of tea, but it's a darn good franchise.

So, do we think STP is pretty much exiting the discount business? Who are the other players in that niche? Steep and Deep? The Climb?

I remember @Brian Finch's score of his Head Titans on STP a year ago....at about 20% or less of MSRP!

Now they put a shop in Vermont and charge me tax.

 

[Muleski]

they bought Sierra to increase their online sales (smart move).

That was the word at the time of the deal. The deal took place in December, 2012. So it's been a while. Have no idea how it's worked out, and what e-commerce {that was a big term in 2012} best practices have moved to the other companies in their portfolio.

Shoppers World in Framingham is about as back and mortar as it gets. Very curious as to what the vision/plan/strategy moving forward is. Seems like it's been very, very successful to date, since they moved to the net in the late 90's.

 

[L&AirC]

What I find interesting is a decade or so ago, all the brick and mortar stores were complaining about the online stores driving them out of business. Now online stores are adding brick and mortar stores to their business.

 

[skibob]

I haven't found anything that's a great deal in a while, maybe that's why?

I've noticed the same about Level 9. Maybe not full retail. But haven't seen any bargains there in quite awhile.

 

[dlague]

We went to a Sierra Trading Post here in Colorado Springs because I was curious. Prices were all over the place. some of the outerwear products and base layers were priced really good and then there were others that looked like Full Retail. Maybe that is the strategy. It was odd though, the store seemed to be light on product but that might be due to the store transitioning between seasons.

 

[coskigirl]

Damn you @Ron! This just ended up in my cart and then I pressed submit order. $311 including tax.

 

[Ron]

it will be interesting to see if they follow more of the model of camp saver. if you aren't familiar, you should check it out. a mix of new merchandise with outlet stuff and manufacturers samples. same shopping platform.