ICBA: Your Retail Cooperative Savings

In June you received your 2010 ICBA Savings Report. This report helps you determine the value of the ICBA buying programs. We encourage you to review this report and to share this with your administrators, if you have not already done so.

Did you Know?

• ICBA stores realized a cumulative savings of 11.4%. However, when considering the vendors who do not report your purchases to us, ICBA stores’ savings are definitely greater than this amount.
• The average ICBA store saved over $42,900 utilizing the “standard” ICBA Programs.
• ICBA stores who committed to the CBS Apparel Programs on average saved an additional $26,407 on tees, fleece and hats.
• For the 28 ICBA members also utilizing the ICBA-PartnerShip Freight Program, they averaged an additional $83,700 in savings.
• The average ICBA member experienced a 1,946% return on their dues investment.
• One ICBA member realized a 16,400% return on their dues for 2010. If that was Wall Street, we could all retire.

Is your store achieving the maximum value possible? It is always smart business to gain the greatest benefit from your investment. And in the current economy it’s time to re-evaluate your commitment to ICBA programs. It’s up to you. The more you use the ICBA Buying Programs, the more value you will receive from your ICBA membership.

ICBA Membership Level	2010 Savings Top Performers (w/o Freight)	ICBA Dues	Return on Membership Investment
Under $1 Million	$7,418	$600	1,136%
$1 to $3.9 Million	$17,638	$1,200	1,370%
$4 to $6.9 Million	$111,064	$2,000	5,453%
$7 to $9.9 Million	$163,383	$2,600	6,184%
$10 to $19.9 Million	$40,559	$3,300	1,129%
$20 to $29.9 Million	$101,140	$3,300	2,965%
Over $30 million	$545,044	$3,300	16,416%

CBS Apparel Program – Average store savings $26,407

ICBA was the first group in our industry to bring you a successful committed buying model for basic collegiate apparel—the ICBA Commit-Buy-Sell Program (CBS). In 2010, 73 ICBA stores saved over $1.9 million using the CBS Apparel Programs. Total savings from CBS programs since 2006 is over $7.7 million. Are you maximizing your use of the CBS Apparel Program? Commitment forms for the 2012-2013 CBS Apparel Programs were emailed to your store on August 25 and are due back to ICBA on Friday, September 23.

ICBA Partnership Freight Programs – Average store savings $83,700

The ICBA Freight Program, managed through PartnerShip, is a different program from the NACS PartnerShip program that you may already be using.  The ICBA PartnerShip  program is designed to save time and money, and make a measurable impact on your bottom line. The ICBA Freight Program offers a full suite of individualized logistics management services that are available to all ICBA members, regardless of your current shipping volume. PartnerShip will act as your "Freight Headquarters," working with nationally-known carriers to provide you with unparalleled customer service and significant discounts off LTL carrier published rates.

ICBA Retail Conference, Business Encounter & PRIMEtime – Average store savings $1,650

ICBA saved member stores over $90,000 in education and travel expenses attending the ICBA 2011 Retail Conference in Las Vegas and ICBA members have already taken advantage of the available “freebie” registrations for ICBA 2012, February 6-10, in Fort Myers, Florida! With the continued success of PRIMEtime, ICBA was able to reduce the travel expenses for 104 apparel, supply and technology buyers from 58 different ICBA member stores to attend ICBA 2011 Retail Conference. Look for an announcement later this fall about the location of ICBA 2013 and plan to register during the late summer of 2012 for ICBA 2013 Retail Conference and take advantage of this great member benefit.

Thank you for choosing to be an ICBA owner, and congratulations on successfully utilizing ICBA programs and services to benefit your store, your school and your students.

Posted by Marty Duncan, ICBA Program Manager.