Big Shark Bicycle Company was the only shop in St. Louis—and in the entire state of Missouri, in fact—to be named a Top 50 Multisport Retailer in the U.S.

Triathlon Business International (TBI), an industry organization dedicated to promoting the sport and the business of triathlon, and Slowtwitch.com made the announcement in January at the 2014 North American TBI Industry Conference.

The Top 50 Multisport Retailer list was compiled by Slowtwitch.com publisher Dan Empfield through a voting process that is weighted 80 percent on suppliers’ votes (run, bike, component/accessory, wetsuit and apparel manufacturers and/or distributors) and 20 percent on consumer votes, specifically the Slowtwitch.com readers. To be considered, the retailer must have a brick and mortar presence.

Suppliers were allowed to select three to six retailers per region depending on the size of the region, up to 47 retailers in total. Criteria that supplier voters were asked to consider included: technical and brand knowledge; significant triathlon-related in-store inventory; service to the local community; knowledge of the sport of triathlon; ability to work with and satisfy their customers when it comes to product match, size, fit and equipment set-up; and other value-added customer extras such as sponsorship of races; training rides; workshops and guest speakers.

Slowtwitch’s readers voted for retailers based on nine parameters, from inventory breadth and depth, to staff product knowledge, to parking and hours.

“Triathlon Business International has been honored to partner with Slowtwitch.com the past four years to present the Top 50 Triathlon Retailers.” said TBI president Jack Caress. “We think it’s important to recognize the best shops throughout the United States, ones who have done a great job offering the top products, technical expertise and professional services to their triathlete customers.”

Source: www.triathlonbusinessintl.com/top-50-multisport-retailers-announced-by-tbi-slowtwitch.com.html