 BUSINESS 4NETWORKING [Has the internet shopping bonanza whacked the final nail in UK retailer coffin. ] |
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Posted on 27th Nov 2008 at 08:21
Has the internet shopping bonanza whacked the final nail in the UK retailer coffin.
MFI / Woolies - Administratprs in.
Curry's next?
Remember when online shopping first appeared, the masses were reluctant to use cards over internet because of Daily Mail fear mongering type headlines. Confidence in shopping online is as high as using a card at a garage. Plus products bought from the internet are generally cheaper and arrive next day..
Is retail dead?
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Posted on 27th Nov 2008 at 08:25
Retail will not die for a long time imo.
It's part of the mentality, it's a "get out" for housewifes, people like to literaly shop, browse items, pick them up and feel them.
Maybe the retail market will become a monopoly, but i think there will always be a choice for the consumer!
-Otis
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Posted on 27th Nov 2008 at 09:13
Retail is certainly dead in our house this christmas. What little xmas shopping i have to do will be done online -just like last year. I simply cannot bear the horror of wading through crowds at xmas.
That said, I still mostly do grocery shopping "in person" and i do like to browse -when the shops are quiet
"Keeping TABS on your business"
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Posted on 27th Nov 2008 at 09:19
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Posted on 27th Nov 2008 at 09:21
I sure am going to miss the pick 'n' mix 
Phil Warman
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Posted on 27th Nov 2008 at 09:23
You can't buy ladies' shoes properly online - you need to see them, feel them, try them on. And most women enjoy falling in love with footwear! Thank goodness.
Shoes Galore Letchworth
01462 481757
sgletchworth@ntlworld.com
www.shoes-galore.co.uk
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Posted on 27th Nov 2008 at 09:24
But the thing is Woolies, Currys, Comet etc are all awful stores.
One of the most interesting stores i've been in recently is called London Drugs - i believe its only in western canada... it contains everything you'd find in boots, a really good computer section - very wide range of stuff, regular small electricals, and basic food stuffs....
I walk into Comet here and i'm staggered they dont sell DVDs or CDs.... and have such a shitty selection of everything else.
Certain stores, unless they evolve quickly are dead.....
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Posted on 27th Nov 2008 at 09:29
And more from me!
Online is great for commodities that you can easily price compare eg a CD, a Doctor Who toy, a PC. But it shouldn't be affecting the whole high street.
For a smaller retailer, the rental costs of property are prohibitive. One of my hopes for the current financial shake up is that retail landlords get a bit more realistic in their pricing. In Letchworth there is a massive regeneration planned which will mean chaos for several years. The biggest landlord in town has been actually putting shop rents up as leases fall due, and the small shops are closing in droves. Why should they pay more to run their shop in the middle of a building site? In my opinion this is the biggest threat to retail.
Shoes Galore Letchworth
01462 481757
sgletchworth@ntlworld.com
www.shoes-galore.co.uk
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Posted on 27th Nov 2008 at 09:32
On large capital items SWMBO chooses what she wants and gets the price she can; I then see if I can better it on line.
I'd hate to be in retail
Chris Slay, Director | Specialist Provider of Polish Jobs | 07977 131 389 | enquiries@skillsprovision.co.uk
Skills Provision Ltd is registered under the Gangmaster Act 2004
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Posted on 27th Nov 2008 at 10:07
So would I! That's one reason I don't like shopping --so many independent stores closing down, leaving the same shops countrywide. If I can, I make the effort to use local shops in our nearest town, Kenilworth, which so far is doing ok in that regard --they've even still got a woolies for the pickn mix. Big stuff, though, is usally cheaper online and I find that the delivery times are more convenient - often offering a 2 hour window, whereas Currys shops for instance expect you to stay in all day (then they turn up at 8pm)
"Keeping TABS on your business"
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Posted on 27th Nov 2008 at 11:38
Maybe not the final nail, but it is mortally wounded! At least, as far as the high street store is concerned.
The simple fact that all retailers need to realise is that we are rapidly changing the way we buy things. The change is irreversible & permanent. The retail store market of the future will be based around certain key factors. If you don't fit those factors, then it is time to get online AND FAST!
First, think of things that I now routinely buy online that I used to need the High Street for:
- Travel. I always used to book with my local travel agent in the high street. Haven’t been in one for at least 10 years now!
- DVD’s & Cd’s. I may still pop into a shop for the odd impulse buy, but if I know there is something that I particularly want, I buy online or at Tesco with the grocery shopping.
- Insurance. Just how many comparison websites are there? Am I ever going to visit my high street insurance broker again? Are there any left?
- Electricals, White goods, TV, Cameras etc. Online information and comparison now almost totally removes any need to touch the product
- Banking. Hardly ever visit my bank these days. Why would I?
- Cars. OK, I don’t routinely buy cars! But the last one I got was without a test-drive and came from Mr Newcastlefans himself, Ian Driscoll (www.newcarsandvans.co.uk). If you doubt this trend, just look at Lingscars!
- Furniture. All of the new furniture at HFH came from online sources.
- Bathroom Suites. As above.
The fact is that more and more everyday goods & services that used to NEED a trip to town are now becoming available online. For retail stores to survive, they must either fulfil a need or they must create a need. Such as:
Things that require physical presence (hairdressers, opticians, shoes?, clothes?)
Things that can’t be reviewed/tested satisfactorily online
“An experience” (Cribbs Causeway, Trago Mills. Ikea)
Things that have immediacy/impulse (takeaway food, off license, newsagent)
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Posted on 27th Nov 2008 at 11:59
"Are there any (insurance brokers) left"
YES - plenty!
IMHO (and I'm biased) there will always be a need for a quality insurance broker - OK so maybe not so much for "personal lines" insurance (home insurance/motor insurance) but certainly for commercial insurance.
Our group as an example has over 60 local offices nationwide, so when something goes wrong (mainly a claim) you can actually speak to someone face to face to get it sorted, rather than a massive call centre operation where you are 1 of 000's of faceless customers....
*climbs off soapbox*
Phil Warman
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Posted on 27th Nov 2008 at 12:11
Quote:
"Are there any (insurance brokers) left"
YES - plenty!
IMHO (and I'm biased) there will always be a need for a quality insurance broker - OK so maybe not so much for "personal lines" insurance (home insurance/motor insurance) but certainly for commercial insurance.
Our group as an example has over 60 local offices nationwide, so when something goes wrong (mainly a claim) you can actually speak to someone face to face to get it sorted, rather than a massive call centre operation where you are 1 of 000's of faceless customers....
*climbs off soapbox*
No, get back ON your soapbox!!
My own local commercial insurer has an office in my town with real people too! A good commercial insurer will always be needed due to complexity of product requiring understanding of the busienss concerned. It's just not exactly "retail" a la house/car insurance.
January 4N Member Offers:
"DB&B for the price of B&B" or "Dinner for 2 with Free Wine" Click here for details
A Hotel for Business or Pleasure (but better for BOTH!)
01404 831278
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Posted on 27th Nov 2008 at 12:15
OK then...
You're right, whilst there are a few commercial products you can buy online (shop insurance) - nothing can beat face to face advice.
Phil Warman
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Posted on 27th Nov 2008 at 14:43
I love shopping! But I get hacked of with the fact that most staff in retail do not care and give you about as much customer service as online anyway.
Take for example the other day, I went into O2 store as I really want the new blackberry flip phone. I know O2 do it and have seen that they are in stock and activley selling them on their website, but I wanted to actually see one in the flesh before buying. The store assistant comes up and says "can I help you?" I tell him I am interested in taking a look at the blackberry flip phone. "Blackberry don't do flip phones sir" was his reply in a really patronising voice, "oh right, so you don't have the new Blackberry pearl 8220 flip phone as a demo or in stock then?" to which he replied "Never heard of it!" and didn't even try and look it up or find out why I wanted that particular phone....I just walked out.
Same in most of the shops I've been in lately, why don't people realise that if they keep us happy we will pay to shop their. It's sad but now we shop online for most things and most of the time I regret actually making a shopping trip due to service or cost.
Dom Rosato (Managing Director)
Flat fee recruitment that works, Guaranteed!
Telephone: 01793 441 459 Email: dom.rosato@employerfirst.co.uk
WWW.EMPLOYERFIRST.CO.UK
(Marlborough 4N Group Leader)
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