Academy Sports and Outdoors Question

[sublimesurf74]

I work in Interactive Advertising and we are doing a big pitch for Academy and I thought I would ping everyone here to find out things you might want to see from Academy on their website.

Is there anything you think Academy should do online to make their experience better? They used to have nothing on their site until about 6 months ago. Now they have SOME specific products and stuff but you can't purchase or anything - nor do they have the full product offering.

What do you like about Academy and what do you not - online or in their store?

Any feedback would be helpful.

Some of my initial thoughts are:

community blogs - fishing, football, fitness, etc...
online checklist and links to products on that checklist - buy all and save (example, tailgating checklist)
user submitted videos
interactive games/contest
etc....

Thanks,
Shawn

[Oleander Kayaker]

I'd kind of like a fuller line of items posted, with buying on-line and a pick-up at the store. The store staff can pick the stuff off the shelves and have it waiting at the service desk. Refer to how Best-Buy does it on their site. The list of stuff is a good idea, though with an option for the user to supplement that list. I'd not be partial to blogs on an Academy site, I come here for that. I like the impartiality (we can still rag on Academy here without retribution).

[d.jake.patrick]

Not bashing Academy at all, but they have to have one of the worst websites out of all the sporting goods stores. I agree with Oleander Kayaker they need a fuller line of items. As far as the in-store experience, they need people in there that actually know at least a little bit about fishing. And most of all they need to start carrying bass assassins again!! The 5 inch sea shad is one of my favorite baits and not many places seem to carry them anymore. Another thing they should have is a rewards card, for example like the bass pro shops rewards card.

Hope this helps and good luck with the pitch!

[TTU Wader]

I like their prices. There customer service is not the best but I don't go there to ask for advice, If you want knowledgeable staff go to FTU.

D.Jake.Patrick- the academy in Webster always has a full stock of bass assassins in many different colors. All the academys I have been in the Houston area have them too.

[fishclutz]

I'd kind of like a fuller line of items posted, with buying on-line and a pick-up at the store.

X2

Plus they should have a section for product reviews.

[aqua pimp]

I just wished they would sell Coors Light, wings, and Copenhagen. Wouldn't be any reason to go anywhere else.

Cant say anything about thier web site because I never look at it. As far as the store goes I really wouldnt change a thing. I get in and out quick, I know where everything is, and there prices are better than FTU and ***** Pro Shop.

AQUA PIMP

[reeltime]

i AGREE WITH THE OTHER GUYS ABOUT THERE WEBSITE IT NEED HELP..tHEY SHOULD OFFER A CLUB CARD THEN THEY WOULD SEE HOW MUCH I TRULY SPEND THERE.

[bayouboy]

Academy could improve their website and gain market share if you could order online. Also like everyone else stated if their was a wider range of products. I understand there is limited shelf space in the store but if you offered some of these specialty items online like boat equipment and supplies ie gauges, gel coat, switches, trolling motors, etc

[WestEndAngler]

I'd like to see them advertise with us considering how much money I spend in there each time I walk in!

[PasadenaMan]

You alway go there for 1 thing and walk out with 20. So i would shop there online I would just buy the one thing. Iw ould rather walk in.

I would like to see whats on clearance at the stores section.

[Hogie70]

I just wished they would sell Coors Light, wings, and Copenhagen. Wouldn't be any reason to go anywhere else.

Cant say anything about thier web site because I never look at it. As far as the store goes I really wouldnt change a thing. I get in and out quick, I know where everything is, and there prices are better than FTU and ***** Pro Shop.

AQUA PIMP

Miller light, 20 lb bags of ice, Wings & Copenhagen Long Cut It would be a one stop shop...

[kenny]

They were in a dead tie for worst sporting goods website with FTU, but FTU has on line purchasing now so Academy now has the worst website!

They need the full inventory on-line and available to purchase. If I need 1/8th. ounce jig heads, some tennis shoes, and an Old Smokey grill I should be able to buy that.

They should offer real sales on line not just the regular prices like they do in their print advertising.
I can't imagine many people go to the Academy website to get advice, blog or play games.

[reeltime]

I forgot this they have jacked up the price on there magellan shorts and they have become sheet........the last five pair have ripped at the pocket and they wouldn't even take the new ripped one back.

[Hogie70]

I am PM out tissues for the lost tears... Don't use em all up at the same time... LMAO

[GGF]

One has to ask why they would want to get into on-line sales. They are already one of the most successful in their nitch and on-line order fulfillment will require investment in a new infrastructure.

Besides, going to Academy is like going to Home Depot. It's more about the experience and all the stuff you didn't know you needed until you went in there.

Home Depot has a pretty good web site, but when was the last time you bought something off of it? I want to pick my own 2x4s from the stack.