Big Als Closing Down

[EmilyB]

I hope all the livestock find good homes.

[G1GY]

Originally Posted by Murminator

There is another opening in Calgary north...so probably just moving

http://www.bigalscanada.com/images/f...itoriesweb.jpg

That just say's that they're looking to get someone to spend money on a BA's franchise in north Calgary. (Not that one is opening soon.)

But I guess now that you pointed it out.............. There's sure to be a huge line of investors looking to open a BA's franchise close to Petland, Petcetera and Petsmart.

[Delphinus]

That's really quite horrible news! This isn't April 1 is it?! Man alive.

[SJSobczyk]

When i talked to Brodie he mentioned that there was no other plans for a Big Al's in Calgary. Also he said everything wont go lower then 25% as it will be below cost (cough cough 40% markup). Instead they will ship everything off to another one of their stores.

Still a sad day for me as this was a close drive to grab some goods. Looks like Petcetera will be getting all my business now (pukes)

Steve

[Seriak]

40% Bah Close to 100% on Hardware. But I will be sad as they had decent prices on livestock every now and then.

[digital-audiophile]

I have always enjoyed going to Big Al's there are some really good people that work there that I will really miss seeing on the weekends

When they got in good coral and fish shipments there was some really nice stuff at good prices. If we want to talk about 40-100% markups I can think of only one (unnamed) store in this city that doesn't have that kind markup. I have found in this hobby you MUST shop around, you can go to 5 different stores looking for a heater say and you would get 5 different prices.. I have just learned which stores are better at what and shop accordingly. Big Al's is also some what close to my house so I never had to travel far to pick up a things I neeed in short order.

The nice thing about Big Al's is a great place for the casual fish keeper, way better than going to petland and not as intense as the specialized stores in the city. I think alot of people are going to miss out on that now and will end up going to the petlands and petsmarts to get their stuff.

I'm actually really sad about this and still find it a little hard to believe. I don't know why a big chain would pull out of the city due to a lease fight. There are lots of new developments coming up that could house a store like theirs, and in the end they are just throwing revenue out the door. .. But what do I know.. I'm just a simple Oilman

[SJSobczyk]

It was a lease fight that was fought over the period of 2 years. The lease and court costs were so high it caused them to go Bankrupt.

I think Big Al's would actually be a safe investment. People know the business and the products, hmmmmm got myself thinking.......

Steve

[Seriak]

Hey I am sure the franchisee is just decinding not to continue. I am sure some entrepreneur will come along and open the franchise again. i just hope its in the South. The North has enough SW fish stores. I would actually look into this myself if I had more capital. lol. Isnt that always the case.

Name Of Franchise

Big Al’s
441 Chrislea Road Woodbridge Ont. L4L 8N4
Tel: (905) 851-1858
NATURE OF BUSINESS
Retail Sale of Tropical and Marine Fish and Related Products
# OF OUTLETS - 20

INITIAL FRANCHISE FEE $50,000.00
MINIMUM INVESTMENT* $500,000.00

* OPTIONAL FINANCING AVAILABLE
MINIMUM CASH INVESTMENT $300,000.00
BALANCE ON AN APPROVED SBL (GOVERNMENT BANK LOAN)

Please Write to:
ALLAN SAUL
President
E-MAIL:asaul@bigalscanada.com

[midgetwaiter]

If we want to talk about 40-100% markups I can think of only one (unnamed) store in this city that doesn't have that kind markup.

I'd actually guess that BA's has a minimum 100% markup, which is perfectly normal in the retail world. I can't imagine them only going 40%, you usually only see that kind of thing in very specific commodity type retail sectors.

Well, maybe the store only goes 40% but the rest is taken by the franchise company. It is normal for a franchisor to mandate that all or at least most products be purchased from them. I can't see how the store would be able to cover their cost base in that situation though.

You want to talk about markup look at the retail gasoline sector. 350% is average.

[SJSobczyk]

Originally Posted by midgetwaiter

You want to talk about markup look at the retail gasoline sector. 350% is average.

Sorry mods this is off topic, but his statement is VERY untrue. Please read the following:

"Gasoline retailers must keep their markup razor thin. Markups, which are less then 10%, cover: land, salary, buildings, fuel delivery, site maintenance, profit (about one cent a litre).

With such small markups, the main way to stay in business is to sell huge volumes. And the primary way to increase volumes is to reduce retail margains. Despite huge volumes, margains are so thin, that virtually all stations depend on non-fuel products such as snacks to increase revenues and margains."

[END]Steve's smart fact for the day

Steve

Originally Posted by midgetwaiter

You want to talk about markup look at the retail gasoline sector. 350% is average.