Stores loose money on Boxing Day sales?

Any Cottage Industry as a whole has unique issues, but the most specific issue is that most suppliers will sell to anyone...hence the cost of items is well know and most people with an internet connection can figure that out.

This LFS industry is therefore based on three things...1. Things die 2. How do you keep the customer coming into your store after those things die. 3. When they come back...things die...back to thing 2.

Simple...but hey...i'm thinking i want to own bridges...

All the best.


Wendell

[Madreefer]

This is what I paid for a bucket of salt about 10 years ago. The wore out pricetag is for $160.28. That same store now sells the same salt for $59.99. I'm quite happy paying todays prices. I dont shop at that store anymore, I get my salt for $50/pail now. Just be fortunate you have stores to choose from in your town. It's pretty much a known fact that most LFS stores sell salt at cost or below cost to get the consumer in there. Try not too tick off some of your LFS that are possibly reading this thread right now, it may backfire on you when you do ask for a better deal at other times of the year. Most of them are willing to knock off a few bucks if asked. Wendall has for me and i'm 500 miles away.

Originally Posted by Madreefer

This is what I paid for a bucket of salt about 10 years ago. The wore out pricetag is for $160.28. That same store now sells the same salt for $59.99. I'm quite happy paying todays prices. I dont shop at that store anymore, I get my salt for $50/pail now. Just be fortunate you have stores to choose from in your town. It's pretty much a known fact that most LFS stores sell salt at cost or below cost to get the consumer in there. Try not too tick off some of your LFS that are possibly reading this thread right now, it may backfire on you when you do ask for a better deal at other times of the year. Most of them are willing to knock off a few bucks if asked. Wendall has for me and i'm 500 miles away.

thank you for the words...but i get that life is about price...i drive to costco in bellingham to buy chicken....but like i dont understand the guy who has a chicken business i dont expect you to understand mine....

it works...and my doors are open....

Wanna buy a fish store, call me....


Wendell

[Coralgurl]

I work in commercial real estate and even though we have just gone thru a recession, rents in this city especially retail remained strong, with low vacancy rates. Therefore most retail tenants have likely seen their rents increase over the last couple of years in this city. As many of you remember, labour costs soared a few years ago and while most contracts and service providers have been able to stabilize their costs, no one dropped their prices, they simply kept them where they left off. I have never seen a landlord drop their operating costs, always increases. I can drive around this city and have a pretty good idea of what rents are, hence the locations of the smaller lfs. When a business is paying thousands a month in rents alone, utilities, staffing, plus the cost of stocking their stores, I am amazed at who stays in business. I've seen many mom and pop stores just not able to make it, even franchises and national tenants close down, so I always have admired those who start or maintain a business successfully, honestly and with integrity.

I don't boxing day shop, hate the crowds and really don't see the big deal. I went to a couple of stores this year, late in the afternoon, missed the rush and got what I needed. I know which stores I will continue to shop at, not for pricing but for the service. I've received a few freebies "just to try" in my tank rather than spend money on something that won't survive in my tank. Ive considered buying stuff that i was talked out of bec it was a waste of money, and i was thankful. That is what will bring me back. Walking into a store I've been in 3 times and being called by name (happened today). Everyone is out to make a buck, so what? Boxing day is a rip off, sure there are deals to be had...take what you want and leave the rest!

Just my 0.02

[paddyob]

Oh I see. Most places I hit use a generic code such as "zoa Frag".

I have yet to be fortunate enough to deal with a shop that thorough... Then again, if it increases operating costs, I would understand why.

Thanks for the explanation.

Originally Posted by OceanAquatics

Really....i wish that was true, not many retailers sell live inventory....and when they do not many sell it with pics online.

People want to buy what they see with online products, so i have a zoo frag 1 and zoo frag 2...and we cant just order them that way....

In most other industries....you order a watch, a coffee machines, a ipad, a ipod they have individual sku's but you can produce them by the 100's of thousands....so how many zoo's look exactly the same...name many...and you expect to buy what you see....

Hence individual sku for each of the 1500 items i had in two of the 10 coral tanks we have in our store....thats a difficult proposition....

IMHO


Wendell

[Casey8]

Originally Posted by OceanAquatics

thank you for the words...but i get that life is about price...i drive to costco in bellingham to buy chicken....but like i dont understand the guy who has a chicken business i dont expect you to understand mine....

it works...and my doors are open....

Wanna buy a fish store, call me....


Wendell

I like you Wendell, you don't need to sell your store. If you change your old staff with a new friendly and knowledgeable staff it will help. Sometimes I don't shop in that store just because I don't like their staff, but the owner

[apexifd]

Originally Posted by Casey8

I like you Wendell, you don't need to sell your store. If you change your old staff with a new friendly and knowledgeable staff it will help. Sometimes I don't shop in that store just because I don't like their staff, but the owner

I personally have no problem with the staff there.

[lockrookie]

this whole thread is getting blown out of porportion. does any of it really matter this is the holiday season ppl eat drink be merry lets not end the year in a silly thread about things that is life its called business. if things were free we wouldnt have to work. if we didnt have to work we would be at home annoying our wives and divorce rate would be higher.

[Casey8]

Originally Posted by lockrookie

this whole thread is getting blown out of porportion. does any of it really matter this is the holiday season ppl eat drink be merry lets not end the year in a silly thread about things that is life its called business. if things were free we wouldnt have to work. if we didnt have to work we would be at home annoying our wives and divorce rate would be higher.

I agree sorry ... and IF we didn't have to work too ... I would have got divorced in a month.

[cuz]

soo.. i guess no ones having any new years eve sales now?



lol :-)