Welcome Big Box

Todd & Moore formally welcomes big box behemoth Academy Sports (known in the industry as Academy Mart) to Columbia. Unless you have been in a coma the last six weeks I am sure you have seen or heard their name. Backed by the bottomless pockets of their hedge fund parent (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts), Academy Mart has blasted the air waves and print media with a dazzling show of force.

We encourage all our customers to check out what they have to offer. 75,000 square feet of new fixtures, bright lights, massive amounts of product stacked to capacity and brand new employees. These guys are leveraged buyout specialists and they know how to extract the maximum amount of profit from your pockets. Stack it high, throw a few loss leaders at you and keep expenses (wages) low. You can bet those profit extractions will not be staying in Columbia. You see, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts is based in New York. Just like our manufacturing jobs have been transferred overseas, we are unwittingly sending our local dollars out of state. When you shop local your dollar re-circulates in the Columbia area 28 times. When you shop at big box stores whose parent companies are out of state your dollar re-circulates 5 times. In other words, whatever your profession (doctor, lawyer, retailer, restaurant, etc) you have little chance of seeing your money come back to you.

We do not carry camping, fishing or hunting, so I cannot speak to the depth or quality of (Academy Mart) merchandise in these respective departments. But in comparing our selection, quality and prices in shoes, clothing and equipment for tennis, soccer, football, baseball, track, workout, volleyball, basketball, running and Carolina/Clemson merchandise, we win. No comparison. We also offer over 1,000 (that’s correct – 1,000) years of experience in our staff. That experience assures you of getting the right fit and the appropriate gear for your chosen sport. We know sports and we know Columbia. Go check out Academy and compare prices, selection and service. Then print out our free $20.00 coupon on our website and come see us.

Sincerely,
Chuck Todd
President of Todd & Moore, Inc.
“Your Hometown Sports Store Since 1944”