Over the summer, Riordan transitioned from a Prep Shop located on campus to an Online Prep Shop. This change was facilitated by the ARHS administration, with the help of a Uniform Committee.

The committee, comprised of parents and administrators, worked closely with Dr. Andrew Currier, Riordan’s President, for several months prior to the beginning of the school year.

Martha Ball, the head of the uniform committee, stated the decision to switch to an OnlinePrep Shop was not difficult.

“The cost of maintaining a brick and mortar shop on campus was exceeding the revenue potential,” she said.

In other words, the Prep Shop on campus was too expensive to run; Riordan was losing money as a result.

The decision to switch to an Online Shop also stems from the great leftover inventory the brick and mortar Prep Shop contained. According to Dr. Currier, the Prep Shop had a “large scale of inventory on khakis for very odd sizes.”

There were several khakis with size 46 inches by 43 inches, and the Prep Shop would just end up carrying those khakis forever.

In effect, Riordan would not be generating revenue. This change ensures that Riordan will not load up on inventory, but instead make a profit from every purchase made on the Online Shop.

The decision to switch to an Online Shop involved the committee conducting a survey. According to Dr. Currier, the survey found that “people only really use the Prep Shop for uniform shopping once, maybe twice a year.”

As a result, the committee felt that switching to a convenient, accessible Online Prep Shop was a strong move.

Loads of benefits come out of this new Online Prep Shop. First, Riordan will save tons of money by switching to an online store. Dr. Currier estimates that the school could save anywhere up to $50 to 75 thousand a year.

In addition, Ball loves the “one-stop shopping experience” the online store offers. Most parents were previously unable to visit the Prep Shop on campus because it was only open during work hours. This new setup is meant to be more convenient and useful for parents.

However, some parents prefer seeing clothing articles in person before purchasing them. In order to address this issue, the Mobile Prep Shop will be accessible at home sports games. Through the Mobile Prep Shop, parents and supporters will be able to purchase Riordan gear at home games.

According to Dr. Currier, the physical Prep Shop will now warehouse inventory for the Mobile Prep Shop. “We wanted to keep the best of what the Prep Shop had to offer at home games while pushing the majority of the traffic and business toward the online store,” he said.

The Online Prep Shop boasts a lineup of new gear in comparison to the brick and mortar Prep Shop. According to Jay’Sen Morris, who is in charge of the Online Shop, everything in the OnlinePrep Shop is new, except for the formal sweaters and ties.

Morris also mentioned that hoodies, women’s wear, and other items will be available as the PrepShop expands its inventory.

“There isn’t any thought of going back to a physical prep shop in the near future,” said Morris. “In the long run, for all parties involved, going to an online prep shop is the most beneficial.”