The sequel to "The Day I Bought the Glove," now available online.
At Sports Shop Furuuchi, many customers travel from afar and take the time to visit us.
Some even travel over five hours each way to see us.
"I want to choose my glove here."
"This equipment is important for my child, so I want you to help us pick it out together."
We have been encouraged by words like these many times.
We are truly grateful for the connections we have made through sports equipment.
At our store, we take our time to help customers select a glove, break it in, and hand it over to them.
Sometimes, customers purchase a full set of equipment including spikes and uniforms, which can lead to a total that makes both our staff and customers smile.
Entrusting us with such a large purchase, along with the time and effort it takes to visit us—
that represents a tremendous amount of trust in us.
However, at the same time, we were aware of the inconveniences felt by our distant customers.
"The oil I bought last time is almost running out."
"My spikes are starting to get too small."
"I want to buy from Furuuchi again, but it’s hard to make the trip."
Even if they felt this way, the distance made it difficult to drop by easily.
Some also find it hard to visit during business hours due to school activities or work.
Furthermore, regarding the loyalty points they worked hard to earn at the store,
"Since it's so far away, I might not be able to come back for another year."
"I might not be able to use my points."
This sometimes led to a sense of frustration.
That was a point of regret for both our customers and for us.
So, we thought about it.
Could we create a place where, despite distance or time constraints,
you wouldn't have to give up on the desire to "buy from Furuuchi again"?
Could we find a way to continue the connections made in our store rather than letting them end at a single visit?
One answer to that is this online shop.
In our online shop, we have made it easier to purchase not just the gloves that we want you to carefully select in person,
but also the maintenance supplies, spikes, training shoes, practice gear, socks, belts, batting gloves, bats, and other items needed later to support your daily baseball life.
And we didn't want to make just an ordinary online shop that simply lists products.
What Sports Shop Furuuchi aims to be is
"an online shop where you can ask for advice."
When you are unsure about sizes.
When you are curious about the differences compared to your current equipment.
When you want to consult us about adjustments or maintenance after purchase.
At such times, we want to be able to provide advice as close to the in-store experience as possible via LINE or phone.
Even through the screen, we want to be a "shop where you can see the faces of the staff."
That is the ideal online shop we envision.
The main reason we created this online shop is
because we didn't want our connection with you to be severed by distance or time.
Even if you are far away.
Even outside of business hours.
Even through milestones like moving up in school or growing up.
"Let's choose our next equipment at Furuuchi too."
We want to be a place that can turn that feeling into reality whenever you think it.
We would be very happy if we could see you in person again at the store.
But we would be even happier if we could continue to support your baseball journey from the other side of the screen.
This online shop is
another entrance that connects us to you, who came to choose a glove that day,
another way to connect with us.