The TIA is developing an online Tennis Specialty Retailer Certification course that will cover key aspects of the tennis retail business and, upon successful completion, allow retailers to be recognized as a “TIA Certified Specialty Tennis Retailer.”

There may be good news soon for brick-and-mortar tennis pro and specialty shops. In March, the U.S. Senate, by a large bi-partisan majority, voted for an amendment to the budget bill that would require all retailers to collect and report sales tax, including online retailers who have been exempt from many state and local taxes.

In March, at meetings in New York City and Florida with retailers, manufacturers and the TIA Board of Directors, the idea of a “Tennis Tune-Up” and Restringing Campaign received widespread support as something that can help drive consumers to tennis retail stores.

Seventy-five U.S. Senators showed their support for the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013 which would allow local brick-and-mortar retailers to compete more effectively against out-of-state internet sellers.  An amendment summarizing the bill – which was introduced in February – was added to the FY2014 Budget Resolution which is currently being debated on the Senate floor.

Beginning in early 2012 the Tennis Industry Association worked closely with the USTA and tennis industry manufacturers to develop a National Youth Tennis Retail Initiative plan. The focus of this plan was to develop consistent messaging that would help educate consumers and retailers on the proper equipment for youth tennis as well as drive them to the website, youthtennis.com, where they could find play opportunities quickly and easily. As a result, the TIA coordinated the printing of over 1 million tennis racquet hang-cards to be placed on youth racquets at the various retail channels throughout the United States. In addiiton, the TIA worked closely with the USTA to develop POP signage for retailers to utilize in their stores.

In March, the Tennis Industry Association organized meetings in both New York and Florida to discuss efforts to promote retail and to grow the game and the "business of tennis."

Help benchmark your tennis retail business against industry averages with the latest research released by the TIA available to tennis retailers — the Cost of Doing Business Tennis Retailers Report. The report highlights key performance indicators for tennis retailers, such as gross margin percentages, stock turns, profit/loss estimates, revenue splits and more. 

Each year the TIA conducts and publishes more than 70 tennis industry research reports. As THE primary source of tennis industry research and market intelligence, TIA-produced research reports help industry businesses keep a pulse on the tennis market and key trends that impact their strategic decision-making process. The latest edition of the TIA State of the Tennis Industry is set for an early spring release and the Cost of Doing Business Tennis Retailer report is due to be released in early April.

The Tennis Industry Association organized meetings in New York, March 4-5, to discuss efforts to promote retail and to grow the game and the "business of tennis." Primary discussions focused on stimulating growth at tennis retail outlets across the country and also expanding the TIA Retail Division, which has been developed to provide the tennis retail segment with a unified voice for industry action.

A great store environment, including display fixtures, lighting and outstanding displays, are essential to attracting shoppers to your specialty tennis retail store today, but they are only the beginning. Here are some tips to bring your store environment to life and help you create an “extraordinary” specialty tennis retail shopping experience!