FROM OUR NOVEMBER ISSUE: MILESTONES-15 YEARS! STAG PROVISIONS

When the MR team asks the menswear industry to tell us which retailers are doing it right, invariably, Stag—with locations in Austin, Dallas, and Nashville—is at the top of the list. Retailers Don Weir and Steve Shuck have carved out a reputation for superior customer service and providing a varied merchandising mix. Their stores are warm and inviting, easy to shop, and the Stag Provisions website reflects this laid-back vibe.

Celebrating 15 years, the 2,200 square foot flagship remains in its original location at 1423 South Congress Avenue in Austin, Texas. According to Shuck, South Congress is a busy retail street just south of downtown Austin and the University of Texas. Stag employs 60 people across its three locations, an Austin warehouse, and headquarters.

What is the most unique or special thing about your store?
Don Weir: I think what makes Stag most special is our merchandise mix. We have a unique, broad assortment of apparel, accessories, and gifts from brands that can’t be found everywhere. With such a diverse mix of goods, we aim to be something for everyone rather than just singularly catering to one type of guy – he can buy an amazing shirt, his favorite candle, or a vintage painting all under one roof. We also focus on products that will stand the test of time. We want him to feel good about the things he gets from Stag for many years to come.

Steve Shuck: We also tend to present goods differently than some of our peers. We don’t really present by brand but mix brands together to tell different stories throughout the shop. We want it to be a source of discovery for our customers, allowing them to see a variety of merchandise that all works together. Because we stock so many brands and different price points, this creates a more natural way for him to uncover new things.

What are your top five brands in terms of sales volume?
Weir: We stock more than 75 independent brands in-store and online. Some of our favorites include RRL, Portuguese Flannel, Gitman Vintage, Kapital, BEAMS+, Universal Works, Alex Mill, and Rogue Territory.

What’s your service approach?
Shuck: Our focus is to provide the best possible service to every customer who walks through the door, but in a way that feels relaxed and easy for him. This means having a friendly and approachable atmosphere with a knowledgeable sales team that’s there to assist and facilitate the way each customer wants to shop. Anyone who’s ever shopped our stores knows that we’re anything but a high-pressure sales environment. Sometimes that may come across as too laid back, but it’s intentional. We want to be friendly and available, taking our cues from the customer, which we think he genuinely appreciates.

Describe yourself as a merchant:
Weir: Our strength as merchants has undoubtedly evolved and developed over the years. We’ve learned much through trial and error and listening to customers. Data helps guide us, but we still listen to our guts to make many decisions about product. We have to be willing to take risks each season, betting on where we want to invest or when it might be time to move on from a previous winner. Thankfully, we’ve been more right than wrong over the years. We also partner with our brands to develop goods where we see holes in our assortment or think a different color or design detail might make a better product.

Shuck: It also helps that Don and I have different points of view and distinct personal styles. This means we sometimes have to hash it out in the editing process each season. I may love a piece that he doesn’t respond to at all, and vice versa. What comes out in the wash is what we collectively think makes the strongest assortment and best offering for the customer.

What’s your secret to having reached this milestone anniversary?
Shuck: Having a hometown like Austin—fast-growing, energetic, and very friendly to independent businesses—has been a huge part of our success and longevity. We’re grateful for having such a supportive community.

Weir: We’ve also had the great fortune of having a loyal customer base from the start. A lot of these folks we’ve known since we opened and have developed friendships with over the years. We even reference some of them when we go to buy or edit the assortment, knowing which customer(s) will respond to a particular selection.

Shuck: We should add that we’ve also employed some amazing folks over the last 15 years. We’re proud that people who started with us as sales associates or even seasonal hires make up many of our management and headquarters ranks. In an industry with such high turnover, we’re thankful that so many people choose to stay with Stag to build their careers.