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Check news sources specific to the sporting goods business

For news directly related to a sports equipment distributor, the Wall Street Journal may not cut it. You need media outlets that specifically report on the sporting goods industry. Sources of information on other sporting goods stores and businesses can be of great help, too.

I recommend: SportsOneSource gives the latest news and information on sporting good companies and the sporting goods business, and it can be delivered to subscribers via email. Sporting Goods Intelligence provides several information sources for athletic equipment suppliers, including a newsletter, a full database of sporting goods distributors, books on market facts and an online archive of its published articles and data.

Know the latest technology and developments on athletic supplies

As the times change, athletic gear has improved. Developers and suppliers of sporting goods constantly find ways to improve the players' equipment. Baseball may be the biggest example, as simple ash wood bats are giving way to maple and several styles of aluminum bats are developed with countless variations of performance.

I recommend: Research and Markets offers many books on sporting trends, including some on the materials used in sporting goods. The Sport Journal publishes multiple articles on recent trends in sports, including changes in technology.

Find information on different styles of sports apparel

Fashion, comfort and durability have all become part of sports uniforms. Whether it's repelling perspiration or enduring tough on-field conditions, the quality of jerseys and undergarments are constantly improving. But many sports teams want to make sure they look good as well as perform good.

I recommend: Nike has always been one of the leaders in developing new styles of sportswear, using innovations like its Dri-Fit and Sox technology, and they also allow you to custom-design your orders. Stevie the K has written an interesting piece on what makes a good-looking uniform style.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Know what types of sports you provide the most equipment for, if your business is supplying athletic equipment. The more gear for a particular sport you sell, the more likely you'll have a market for instructional sources in those sports.

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Purchase athletic apparel at local and national retail stores or online

In many metropolitan and suburban areas, sporting goods stores are a popular find. National retailers and local mom-and-pop stores offer athletic apparel and equipment at reasonable prices. Visit these stores for sporting goods, equipment, apparel and games. Products such as golf clubs, basketballs, baseball bats, athletic shoes and athletic jerseys may be purchased at these popular retail outlets. Sporting goods distributors provide a wide range of products to large retail outlets for sale.

I recommend: Dick's Sporting Goods is a national retailer that sells a wide variety of athletic equipment and apparel to individuals and groups. Dunham's Sports also offers similar products at competitive prices, including baseball jerseys and team uniforms.

Select a specialty retailer for outdoor, fishing and camping equipment and products

Select an outfitter that is experienced in the ins and outs of camping and outdoor equipment, such as tents, jackets, fishing poles, boots and warm weather apparel for the outdoors.

I recommend: Cabela's is one of the most popular outfitters for camping and outdoor products, such as fishing and hunting gear. Select REI for skiing and snowboarding equipment for the winter months.

Look for local sporting goods stores

It might be a good idea for you and your business to personally look at athletic supplies and sporting goods, especially considering the potential expense of these items and the hassles of returning items you buy online.

I recommend: Big 5 Sporting Goods serves the western United States. The Sports Authority is a popular sporting goods store with locations in almost every state.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Sporting goods retailers are ubiquitous and popular. Explore the options that these stores offer, both in person and online. Sometimes, the most popular businesses may not offer the best prices or the greatest level of customer service.

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Get supplies to preserve athletic gear

Many athletic supplies can be preserved and improved with certain applicants. Baseball players will apply pine tar to bats for better grip and neats-foot oil to soften mitts, while hockey players use adhesive tape and wax to preserve and strengthen hockey sticks. Sports that use inflatable balls will need air pumps.

I recommend: Baseball Supplier provides neats-foot oil, pine tar, glove laces and other aids to keep baseball equipment in top condition, while Discount Hockey provides many hockey accessories, including tape and straps. Online Sports has a wide range of pumps for footballs, basketballs and soccer balls. Other general athletic equipment suppliers like Eastbay sell such equipment for all types of sports.

Purchase necessary projectile supplies for sporting goods

If your business involves sports like hunting and fishing, you are in constant need of supplies specific to these sports. You'll need a steady supply of shells for firearms, arrows for archery bows and live/artificial bait for fishing rods. You may need to find sporting goods stores that specialize in these sports.

I recommend: Cabela's is a leading supplier of shooting gear and accessories in hunting and archery. Bass Pro Shops has baits for freshwater fly and saltwater fishing along with hunting and archery supplies.

Look for bags and containers for sports apparel and equipment

Sports gear and apparel can be easily preserved and organized with the right storage equipment. Gym and duffel bags will make storage much easier. Some sports, like baseball and golf, have their own designed bags to store their special equipment.

I recommend: Robbins Sports has a wide range of gym bags in many sizes and colors. For bags specific to one sport, West Coast Sporting Goods contains many varieties of baseball bags, and Golf Discount has several golf bags at discount prices.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Weigh your options if purchasing from another sporting goods business. For example, determine if shipping costs of mail ordering save more than sales taxes of dealing with local sporting goods distributors.
• •  If you must care for athletic uniforms, get detergents and cleaners that work best in cold water washing, as this helps maintain the clothes' elasticity.

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National Sporting Goods Association

The National Sporting Goods Association is an organization that you should know if you're in the sporting goods business. It provides information, education and cost-saving measures for its members, which are all beneficial.

I recommend: Visit the National Sporting Goods Association to learn more about how it could benefit you.

Embroidery

Embroidery is used on fabric, including team shirts and team hats. With embellished or ornamental designs, garments can be made with colored threads, which are sewn onto the fabric. This type of stitching can be done either by hand or machine, although larger sporting goods stores typically turn to mass production.

I recommend: Learn more about embroidery at Stitches, from The Advertising Specialty Institute.

Jerseys

Jerseys are a popular purchase, as customers purchase the replica jerseys from their favorite athletes. Jerseys are a type of circular knit or flat knit fabric that have inter-looping yarns. This allows the fabric to have a smooth, flat surface with a textured back. Most of the time the backs of jerseys feature numbers and names of an athlete.

I recommend: Check out different fabrics and styles used for sports jerseys at CustomJersey.com.

Athletic shoes

Sporting goods merchants must have a multitude of athletic shoes to offer its customers. Make sure you know the specific types of shoes available, what is popular on the market and what your customers desire. Some of the more common types of athletic shoes include: running shoes, track and field shoes and shoes for court, field, and winter sports.

I recommend: Visit the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons to learn more about athletic shoes and what shoes fit into each category.

Composite baseball bats

Although you may be familiar with major-league baseball bats, you should know the different types of bats available. Composite baseball bats are a new type of bat used for baseball, as they have been used in softball for a number of years. These bats are not as effective in cooler weather.

I recommend: Learn about the pros and cons of composite baseball bats at Baseball Corner.

Free weights

Sometimes customers come to sporting goods stores in search of exercise equipment that can help them tone muscles and lose a few pounds. Free weights are the least expensive, and the most common types are either covered in metal or plastic.

I recommend: Learn the benefits of using either metal or plastic-covered free weights at Dick's Sporting Goods.