| What type of shop is best?
Given the appalling revelations about retailers elsewhere on the board, I wondered what members thought would be the best model for suppliers in the UK. Currently we are at the mercy of a relatively small number of specialist shops. While most appear to be satisfactory, this can result in a "Take it or leave it" attitude; few are able to hold sufficient stocks of everything to allow much choice in making major purchases; and small shops are very vulnerable to market change (if a local club shrinks, for instance, and the "bread and butter" cashflow reduces).
Would we be better served by trying to get the necessary expertise into chains (such as Inter-Sports), where there is likely to be greater financial security, and a more telling awareness of "Customer Care". Or are there other options, such as "Club Collectives", where several local clubs work together to own a shop, thus reducing vulnerability.
Or even persuading the small retailers to join together into a chain themselves, to regularise standards and give the financial backing to be able to hold more flexible stock?
I don't know - do you?  |