SHRN Skateshop, Munich, Germany- Retailer Profile

SHRN Skateshop /Klenzestrasse 16, Munich, Germany/ http://www.soohotrightnow.com/

Simon “Esel“ Schöllhorn and Robinson Kuhlmann opened their skate shop SHRN in Munich back in March of 2013. Both of which skate every day, and instead of promoting their store through elaborate Social Media schemes, they simply go skate to promote their shop.  

Please give a brief history of your store.
The store opened in March 2013. We come from the skateboard industry. Simon “Esel“ Schöllhorn worked in the former Skate/Snowboard Shop Goodstuff and I (Robinson Kuhlmann) am a longtime skateboarder and have been a sponsored skateboarder for a long time.

What makes your store different and in what ways does your store excel beyond your competition?
We are the only skateboard shop run by skateboarders for skateboarders. And we only sell true skateboarding equipment. No longboards, no surfboards, no snowboards. Nobody else does this in our area.

What are the benefits of having a physical shop over simply having an online store?
We don’t have an online skateshop. We don’t because we believe that in our store we get to: meet locals, keep people up-to-date on what’s going on in the industry, hang on the couch and watch skate flicks and we can also tell out-of-towners about the best spots to skate in town.

What are your secrets for selling high-end products?
We don’t sell high-end products. The stuff we’re selling is for skateboarders. It’s all about wood and metal. We sell the stuff that allows you grind your local curbs and rip big handrails. No one needs high-end products. The more basic skate stuff is, the better it is!

How do you stay in touch with the wants and needs of your customers?
We just go skate as much as we can. We skate at least four days a week, and we just catch up with our customers while we skate.

What trends do you see upcoming in skate?
Localism is the trend! Support your local skate brands, support your local shops. Support real skateboarders running skate companies!

What kind of advice can you give other independent retailers who are trying to compete against the big box megastores?
Go Skateboarding!

Does your store sponsor athletes, competitions, etc? If so, what are the benefits to the shop and to the boardsports community?
Hells yeah! We have a team of maybe 10 people or so. We try to give them as much stuff as we can. But we really try to get them under the wings of companies we carry.