With countless paddle, equipment, apparel and other brands, the pickleball retail landscape can be overwhelming for facilities and consumers alike. A successful pro shop that keeps players happy and coming back is a critical component for a facility operation.

In our new podcast video, John Cowley PickleballCentral.com shares his expert insights and advice for existing and new facility operators. We talk product mixes based on brand, performance and price, customer service, staffing, sales, and why paddle geeks like us who would stock a pro shop with every paddle under the sun are destined for failure if they don’t actually know what their customers really want. Join David Johnson and Josh Kerns for this informative and insightful deep dive into the current retail landscape to help boost your retail success.

One interesting (and highly recommended option based on our own experience) is Pickleball Central’s “Powered By” program. The company essentially establishes a pro shop in your facility, fully stocking it and carrying all the inventory at their cost, along with providing and manage your demo program, POS etc. They take a slightly larger commission but ultimately just cut you a check at the end of the month. It’s been a hassle free way to offer customers a top of the line experience without facilities having to drop thousands up front for inventory that might not ever sell.