Brooks Sports Launches One-Stop Shopping Solution for Runners

Brooks Sports Launches One-Stop Shopping Solution for Runners
Brooksrunning.com's Unique Service Provides Convenience for Customers; Drives
Sales to Local Retailers 


BOTHELL, Wash., June 9  /PRNewswire/ -- The running industry hits a new retail
stride today as Brooks Sports, Inc. launches online shopping functionality to
make its performance running product available for purchase anytime, anywhere
on brooksrunning.com. Unique to the industry, the new online service allows
performance running stores to fulfill Brooks' online orders locally,
maintaining the customer-retailer relationship.

"Brooks' new online shopping functionality is an exciting way to provide
best-of-class service to our customers and retailers," said Jim Weber,
president and CEO for Brooks Sports, Inc. "It gives customers what they want,
when they want it -- all while strengthening relationships with performance
running retailers who represent the center of the running community where they
operate."

Brooks' new online shopping service gives customers nationwide a one-stop
Brooks shopping solution by offering a convenient way to learn about and buy
Brooks' technical running gear 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Customers who
shop on brooksrunning.com will enjoy a high level of service that starts within
Brooks' site and extends to the local running stores in their area. The new
online shopping service benefits specialty running retailers by generating
additional Brooks sales beyond their traditional storefront.

"For the first time in the running industry, retailers will now enjoy a direct,
tangible benefit from a brand's online sales model and integrated corporate
marketing efforts," continued Weber. "At no extra cost to participating
retailers, Brooks will generate additional sales for our retail partners, and
give them new customers they can cultivate for long-term service."

Brooks' new online shopping model delivers a seamless e-commerce solution
benefiting all involved:

  -- Customers browse, learn about and order Brooks products online without
     ever leaving brooksrunning.com.
  -- Participating retailers are notified daily of brooksrunning.com orders
     placed by customers located within a 250-mile radius of their store.
  -- Retailers have the opportunity, if they have the requested product in
     stock, to fulfill each order, make a sale and gain a new customer.
  -- Through brooksrunning.com sales and inventory reports, retailers are
     capable of tracking individual product orders and sales trends in their
     area, allowing them to better match customer interests and more
     efficiently plan their own retail inventories.



"We're very excited about Brooks' unique approach to online commerce -- one
that amazingly supports rather than competes with its retail partners," said
Paul Carrozza, CEO of specialty running store RunTex in Austin, Texas. "Along
with increased sales and an expanded customer base, Brooks' online shopping
reports will help us better assess inventory, streamline forecasting and
understand customer interests in our area."

To fulfill its unique e-commerce needs, Brooks selected FirePoppy Inc.'s
Shopatron network solution. The Shopatron solution benefits manufacturers,
retailers and customers in specialty consumer product industries by making it
easier for customers to buy products from manufacturers while ensuring stocking
retailers can participate by fulfilling orders.

"Our retailers have shown great loyalty to the Brooks brand, and we look
forward to showing them our loyalty by offering an e-commerce solution that
keeps them at the epicenter of the running community," said Parker Karnan, vice
president of apparel sales for Brooks Sports, Inc. "It's another step in our
relentless pursuit to provide top-notch service to these valued partners."

Brooks has long been recognized by the running industry for best-in-class
service. Sports Marketing Surveys USA, in its Retail Sales Survey for Spring
2005, recently revealed that specialty running retailers again rank Brooks No.
1 for in-house customer service support, product delivery and sales rep
support. Brooks also leads the pack in the survey's Dealer Confidence Index,
which measures retailers' overall impressions of each brand.

Brooks' new online shopping functionality is the company's latest enhancement
to its runner's resource Web site, brooksrunning.com. On the site, customers
can also access helpful tools -- such as "Shoe Finder," "Footwear Technology"
and "Injury Prevention" -- to learn about proper shoe fitting, gear
technologies and other issues pertinent to a runner's lifestyle.

About Brooks

Brooks Sports, Inc. is a leading running company that designs and markets a
line of performance footwear, apparel and accessories in more than 80 countries
worldwide. Part of the Russell Corporation (NYSE:RML), Brooks was founded in
1914 and is headquartered in Bothell, Wash., near Seattle. The company's
mission is to inspire people to run and be active by creating innovative gear
that keeps them running longer, farther and faster. Visit
http://www.brooksrunning.com/ for more information.

   Media Contacts:
   Tamara Hills
   Brooks Sports, Inc.
   425-489-2444
   

   Melissa Chambers
   Edelman for Brooks Sports, Inc.
   206-268-2235
   

DATASOURCE: Brooks Sports, Inc.



CONTACT:  Tamara Hills of Brooks Sports, Inc., [phone], or

; or Melissa Chambers of Edelman,

[phone], or , for Brooks Sports, Inc.



Web site:  http://www.brooksrunning.com/ 

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