How to Start an Apparel Shop for Your Sports Performance Facility

Starting an apparel shop for your sports performance facility takes about 30 minutes. There is no inventory to stock, no minimum order to meet, and no per-logo setup fee. You upload your facility logo, pick the pieces you want to sell, set the retail price, and share the link with your roster. Here is the full sequence.

Step 1: Decide Who You Are Selling To

Most performance facility shops have two distinct buyer groups. Decide whether you are starting with one or both:

• Athletes (and parents). The 50-500 monthly active members who train at your facility. They want hoodies, tees, joggers, hats. Volume buyer group.
• Staff and coaches. The 3-10 paid coaches and interns. They want polos, quarter-zips, and one hoodie for cold mornings. Low volume, high frequency (every new hire).

Most facilities launch with the athlete shop first because the math works faster. Add the coach staff section in week 2 once the first shop is live.

Step 2: Pick 8-12 Pieces to Start With

Do not list the full catalog on day one. Pick the pieces that match your climate and your roster age. A starter mix for a typical year-round facility:

• 1 performance tee (moisture-wicking)
• 1 premium cotton tee (lifestyle wear)
• 1 long sleeve performance tee
• 1 crewneck sweatshirt
• 1 performance hoodie
• 1 zip-up hoodie
• 1 pair of joggers
• 1 snapback hat
• 1 rope hat for outdoor work
• Optional: 1 womens crop tee, 1 womens leggings

That is 9-11 pieces, well within the 200-piece VIP cap, and covers 90+ percent of demand. You can add more pieces later in two clicks each.

Bear Grips Pro Shops: Custom Apparel for Your Team. No Minimums. Free Shipping.

Step 3: Prep Your Facility Logo

Upload a transparent PNG of your facility logo at the highest resolution you have. The system handles sizing for each garment automatically. If you only have a logo with a colored or white background, you can run it through a free background remover before uploading.

If your logo is detailed (script font, multiple colors, fine lines), test print one tee before launching the shop. Order one to yourself, look at the print quality, then go live.

Step 4: Set Retail Prices That Sell

The biggest mistake new facility owners make is pricing too high. Athletes and parents will compare your hoodie to a Nike outlet hoodie at $40-$50, not to a designer hoodie at $120. Your competitive zone:

• Tees: $28-$34 retail
• Long sleeves: $36-$42
• Crewneck sweatshirts: $44-$50
• Performance hoodies: $55-$65
• Joggers: $50-$58
• Hats: $28-$34

VIP base prices are listed in the dashboard, your margin is whatever you set above that base.

Step 5: Launch to Your Roster

Once the shop is live at your URL, post once in your main group chat or member channel. Include:

• A screenshot or photo of you wearing one of the pieces (own one before you ask others to)
• One sentence: \"Facility shop is live. USA printed, free shipping, all sizes available.\"
• The link

Do not over-explain. Athletes do not need a brand story, they need the link and a picture. Pin the post for the first 7 days, then move on. Run the revenue math for your facility to plan your monthly cadence.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does setup really take?

About 30 minutes for a clean 10-piece shop with a single logo. Add 15 minutes if you are still preparing the logo as a transparent PNG.

Do I need a website or domain?

No. Your shop lives at your own subdomain on Pro Shops by default. You can map a custom domain later if you want.

What happens if an athlete returns a piece?

Returns go through your Pro Shops dashboard. Print-on-demand pieces are made-to-order, so returns are limited to defects or print errors, which we cover.

Can I run a code or discount during launch?

Yes. You can create discount codes from the dashboard. A common launch play is 10 percent off the first 50 orders with a code like FACILITY10.