“It’s grim out there” many of you have commented to me. The ‘big boys’ of the industry and some market analysts, to whom I have recently spoken, have confirmed that the market situation is likely to get worse before it gets better. The consumer confidence which has reached rock-bottom is a clear reflection of this. Yet waiting for the market to improve may be a long process, perhaps too long for some who wish to continue along the same, well-trodden path.
Embracing a change – meaning new opportunities that cannot be easily replicated by the internet traders or multiples is one of the strategies for the future. “Our industry is constantly changing both in terms of products and services, but the future is bright for the independent retailers so long as they provide the products and services required by the consumer. I embraced custom installation years ago and have never looked back”, writes Tim Moss, the first contributor to our ‘An independent point of view’ column.
Of course, custom installation is a bright star on the independent’s horizon, and retra has just officially recognised this by launching retra Install. Yet, there are other ways of differentiating yourself in the marketplace. One of them is teaming up with more exclusive brands which don’t sell themselves to all and sundry and give decent margins to bricks and mortar retailers. Loewe is one of them and for an insight into its plans turn to page 14.
It is also worth remembering “the internet cannot hold a conversation, identify needs, create desires and present a selection of options with justifications to buy. You won’t be able to convert all who visit, some will still choose to buy from the internet, but your passion, enthusiasm, desire to help, your advice, and the service you offer will be enough to dissuade some customers from shopping online,” argues Christine Knott, Beyond the Box training specialist in the Sales Training Guide, which you will receive together with the December issue of IER.
- Independent Business Awards 2012: The Finalists
- Defending the high street
- Staying a step ahead of the game
- Euronics members and suppliers give a show of...
- Baumatic unveils its ‘Win a Vespa’ campaign
- Cameras go pro
- The size matters
- Company's Update: Vogel’s at Godden & Curtis...
- Bissell launches a rental proposition for indies
- Zanussi launches QUADRO range
