What type of shop is best?

[Furface]

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?

[Little Miss Purple]

I would hazard a guess that many supplier would go with the 'If it aint broke - don't try to fix it'.

It would be nice to know you could get what you want at a reasonable price no matter which supplier you went to, on the other hand why should the conscientious (??spelling) retailers revoke their own good name and time spent on building a client base to allow the slap dash retailers carry on at will?

[Barry C]

My ideal shop would have the customer service of Quicks, the range of Alternative and instore prices similar to Bowsports Online.</p>

I think Archery retail is a bit on a monopoly especially with regard to suppliers in this country. </p>

[radsbow]

Maybe someone with BUSINESS SENSE and not just ARCHERY SENSE needs to seriously look at opening up shop online and off.</p>

With#Customer Service, Quality and Price being their top USP's# (unique selling point / proposition). </p>

It seems to me if you take where each of the above mentioned company fails (price, product mix, customer service etc.)#put it into your own pot, then open up shop - you should do reasonably well!?!?</p>

[radsbow]

Just as a matter of interest - do the likes of Bowsports / Altservices etc. Purchase their product ranges direct from the suppliers, such as Hoyt, Win &amp; Win etc. or do they use a 3rd party supplier???

[Barry C]

radsbow - 20/7/2005 2:04 PM Just as a matter of interest - do the likes of Bowsports / Altservices etc. Purchase their product ranges direct from the suppliers, such as Hoyt, Win &amp; Win etc. or do they use a 3rd party supplier???

</p>



I looked into this...</p>

Aparantly Quicks import their own stuff direct... They are UK supplier for Hoyt/ Easton and other makes. But Quicks is very expensive, if you were a shop, sourcing from them no doubt they woulld not supply you or up the cost so you cant compete.</p>

I think ALt and Bowsports source their equipment from a european supplier called JVD in Holland. However bowsports i think import Matthews bows direct from the USA.</p>

With only one UK supplier and only one major european supplier, there is no competition to drive down costs.</p>

Maybe everyone on AI should chip in so we can open a 'peoples' shop - Great service and Low prices ala Tesco : D We can all own some shares.</p>

[radsbow]

Barry C - 20/7/2005 2:53 PM

Maybe everyone on AI should chip in so we can open a 'peoples' shop - Great service and Low prices ala Tesco : D We can all own some shares.</p>

</p>

I'll go for that #</p>

[Barry C]

Haha, so does that mean dave is collecting pounds now?

[Dave]

Barry C - 20/7/2005 4:21 PM Haha, so does that mean dave is collecting pounds now?

</p>

With all the cake flying around I can't help but collect pounds </p>

[Little Miss Purple]

Does that mean we supply cake with your coffee when you're browsing???