Outdoor Retailer - Winter 2018 - 35

though they just received a wage increase,"
one survey respondent writes. "Sometimes I
don't think a particular employee warrants
more than this already-high dollars/hour."
Meanwhile, major corporations are in a better
position to weather the high demands of local
economies. "The Taco Bell on the way out of
town pays $14 per hour," writes another respondent. "The corporatization of ski towns is
enabling big businesses and franchises to pay
more than the local shops can absorb."

CHANGING EMPLOYEE DEMOGRAPHIC
Higher minimum wages-instituted to bolster livable incomes-can also impinge on a
shop's ability to rely on high school sales staff,
who they could pay less in the past. "Oregon

minimum wage is unrealistic for hiring and
training high school students, so this has
made it very difficult with staffing," writes a
resort-town retailer. Fewer high school students are working these days anyway, a trend
that some economists attribute to increasing
participation in competitive sports, extracurricular activities, and increased coursework, with many looking to boost their
college application prospects. According to
the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about half as
many teens hold a summer job now as did 30
years ago, but the number of teens enrolling
in summer classes has quadrupled in that
same timeframe. In our survey, 26 percent
of readers said they are hiring fewer high
school students than they used to. O.R.

SOLUTIONS

Andrew Kornylak

In the face of such challenges, what's an outdoor retail employer to do?
THE LIFE: Many retailers hold strong to the
lifestyle draw that entices workers to the
outdoor industry: immersion in a relaxed,
fun-focused environment with pro deals
(89%), opportunities for gear testing
(59%) and off-site
recreation opportunities (52%).
One respondent
points out that hiring
is not as big an issue
because the draw of
the outdoor industry remains strong:
"There are a lot of
people who want to
work at an outdoor
shop but who don't
go into it thinking
they will be there for
an extended period
of time," such that
retention, particularly in management

positions, is a greater
concern. And that's
where respect and
work environment
can mean the most.
"Really it's the openness, candidness,
and trust you give
to your team that
keeps them around.
Developing a level
of trust with them
that you are looking
out for them goes a
long way." Another
respondent writes
that making this approach financially viable means narrowing the focus: "We
are looking at hiring
fewer and investing
into our better staff."
THE HOURS: Readers
also say schedule
flexibility is a key
element of retention, whether it's for

enabling a school
schedule or the adventure lifestyle that
the industry represents. "The workplace environment
matters. People
often come to the
outdoor or recreation
industry to escape
other industries because the environment working in the
outdoors is much
more enjoyable,"
writes a respondent.
"We employers need
to preserve that environment-in other
words, don't forget
why we decided to
work in the outdoor
recreation industry in
the first place."
THE BENNIES: Aloha
offers employees ski
passes, discounted
gym memberships,

and free meals delivered during rush
times. Unfortunately,
providing a great
place to work isn't a
cure-all. "Having a
good company culture is worth almost
as much as the other
benefits, but when
it comes down to it,
people need to earn
enough to feed and
house themselves."
Two percent of our respondents offer subsidized housing, in rural or resort locations.
A Park City native,
Gerber won a seat
on the city council
with employee housing as her platform.
The council recently
commited to add 800
affordable units in the
next 10 years. Aloha
may fill those 55 open
spots yet. -C.K.

RAW NUMBERS

Outdoor Retailer partnered with CLK
Consulting to conduct an online
reader survey in September 2017.
Here's the breakdown of the 142 readers
who completed survey:
Businesses located in
Rocky Mountain West
West Coast
Midwest
Southeast
Northeast
Southwest
Other

40%
19%
17%
7%
6%
5%
6%

Total number of employees
6-10
51+
1-5
21-30
11-15
31-50
16-20
None/sole proprietor

27%
19%
13%
11%
10%
9%
8%
3%

Typical starting wage per hour
$11-12.99
$9-10.99
$13-$14.99
$7.25-$8.99
$15+
Prefer not to say

37%
27%
16%
11%
5%
4%

Is there an issue you would like to see made
into a survey topic? Let us know! E-mail CLK
Counsulting: carol@carolkauder.com

Winter 2018 / OUTDOOR RETAILER 35

Outdoor Retailer - Winter 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Outdoor Retailer - Winter 2018