BUCKMANS SIA WINNING RETAILER OF THE YEAR

From snowsports.org:

"Buckman’s Ski & Snowboard Shop in Pottsdown, PA was named the 2011 SIA SnowSports Mid-Atlantic Retailer of the Year for their contribution and commitment to the growth of the snow sports industry. Buckman’s Ski & Snowboard Shop is family owned and operated by Jeff, Nancy and Brad Buckman. Jeff’s father, Leon Buckman, opened the first Buckman’s Ski Shop in 1971 in Perkiomenville, PA. Known for great customer service and quality products, Buckman’s quickly became one of the area’s leading ski shops, with six shops in Pennsylvania. Overall, Buckman’s has 40 years of experience in the action sports retail industry and carries the largest inventory of ski & snowboard merchandise and rental equipment in the state of PA.

Jeff Buckman, owner of Buckman’s, took some time out to give us some insight on how to be a winning retailer and to give us some words of wisdom.

SIA: How did you get started in the industry?
JB: My dad started a ski shop in 1971 as a part- time, side business. When I got out of school, I decided to work full time for the ski shop and make it something. God has blessed us as the business has grown!

SIA: When did your shop open?
JB: The first store opened in 1971and now there are six stores in the Philly suburbs.

SIA: Tell us about one of your top retail success stories?
JB: My mind goes to the overall big picture and that is customer service. By taking care of one customer at a time, we have been able to form a very loyal customer base. In order to do this, we have to train our staff to be excellent in product knowledge and customer service. That has set us up as the go- to store in the Philadelphia area. Dedicated, awesome employees on the front lines are what make this happen!

SIA: Words of Wisdom…
JB: Have a strong counter seasonal business. We package and distribute swimming pool chemicals, which is 80% of our annual sales. This carries us through the lean years, like this one :)"

POSTED AUGUST 6, 2012