The Most Flawed Retail Ideas...

[90DC]

I want people's thoughts on what they believe are the most flawed or pointless retail ideas.

I'm intrigued as somebody decided to open a fish spa in a town near me, which I laughed at at the time and it would appear that six months down the line, the poor lady is struggling as she's now doing nails, Swedish massages, jewellery and handbags, from a very small unit.

Are there any other 'bandwagon' retailers out there who jump on an idea made popular by a couple of celebrities and a bit of national media coverage.

Personally, I think the Garra Rufa fish spa idea is the most flawed, as it couldn't possibly work in most areas. The shop in question is located two doors down from a beauty salon and there are atleast eight others within the town.

 

[Banned]

Smoothie & Juice bars which were never going to make money, and even worse Milkshake bars.

If people did their maths on these places (time taken to prepare x number required to make a profit) they would realise it's neigh on impossible to make a profit.

 

[deniser]

Childrenswear and baby shops generally.

 

[90DC]

Smoothie & Juice bars which were never going to make money, and even worse Milkshake bars.

If people did their maths on these places (time taken to prepare x number required to make a profit) they would realise it's neigh on impossible to make a profit.

Agree with you on that. Nottingham has two or three 'milkshake bars' and they're always empty. There's also a couple of out of town ones. What gets me is that they take on a unit too large for their operations. I'd love to meet the people opening these as it makes no sense to me either.

 

[Banned]

Agree with you on that. Nottingham has two or three 'milkshake bars' and they're always empty. There's also a couple of out of town ones. What gets me is that they take on a unit too large for their operations. I'd love to meet the people opening these as it makes no sense to me either.

We haven't met, but hello :redface:

 

[leemason]

Nail bars: I am totally amazed every time I see how many there are. If anyone had asked me I would have said that only about 10% would be viable. Some high streets seem to have 2 or 3 nail bars and they are always busy!!!! Incredible...

Although I think the most useless retail product of recent times as Dasani. Does anyone remember Coca Cola's foray into bottled water. I think it came from the fresh springs of Slough!

 

[90DC]

We haven't met, but hello :redface:

Hello to you too.

 

[90DC]

Nail bars: I am totally amazed every time I see how many there are. If anyone had asked me I would have said that only about 10% would be viable. Some high streets seem to have 2 or 3 nail bars and they are always busy!!!! Incredible...

Although I think the most useless retail product of recent times as Dasani. Does anyone remember Coca Cola's foray into bottled water. I think it came from the fresh springs of Slough!

I'd agree with that one too. As a male, I cannot understand what place a nail bar has in society. After all, they're only nails.

I used to have a female friend who went to this one nail place once every 3-4 weeks and had these ridiculously long nails done with nail art and they charged her £70 a pop for what is essentially under an hour of somebody's time and the products they used. I've seen these false nails in Tesco for £3.99, what's the difference? And don't tell me it's the glue.

What got me about this is that the woman put her nails before her children, who I recall I had to feed on one occasion because all they had in the cupboards were two eggs, and no matter what any Jamie Oliver type tells me, you can't make a meal out of an egg. The cupboards were bare and she'd spent her tax credits on nail extensions.

Which brings me to the conclusion that these nail bars you're seeing full in your local area are busy because this country has cultural issues, when people put their image before the wellbeing of their children, and I am sure the issue is more widespread than this one woman.

There are four nail bars in my local town centre, which is more than the number of pet shops, more than the number of hardware shops and more than the number of clothing retailers (Excluding shoe specific shops).

 

[leemason]

I'd agree with that one too. As a male, I cannot understand what place a nail bar has in society. After all, they're only nails.

I used to have a female friend who went to this one nail place once every 3-4 weeks and had these ridiculously long nails done with nail art and they charged her £70 a pop for what is essentially under an hour of somebody's time and the products they used. I've seen these false nails in Tesco for £3.99, what's the difference? And don't tell me it's the glue.

What got me about this is that the woman put her nails before her children, who I recall I had to feed on one occasion because all they had in the cupboards were two eggs, and no matter what any Jamie Oliver type tells me, you can't make a meal out of an egg. The cupboards were bare and she'd spent her tax credits on nail extensions.

Which brings me to the conclusion that these nail bars you're seeing full in your local area are busy because this country has cultural issues, when people put their image before the wellbeing of their children, and I am sure the issue is more widespread than this one woman.

There are four nail bars in my local town centre, which is more than the number of pet shops, more than the number of hardware shops and more than the number of clothing retailers (Excluding shoe specific shops).

Sadly image is pretty much everything in our modern society. It is truly amazing how much people seem to spend on things like this and as you say, even when they have other pretty pressing priorities.

It also amazes me how many Hair Salons where are as well. In the area I used to live in there were (and as far as I know still are) 9 or 10 within a 1/2 mile radius. I know people who go to some of these regularly and pay £70.00-£100.00 for what is basically to be honest a hair cut. Same style, so no actual re-styling required.

 

[mhall]

I find it funny that men (I guess) are moaning about the viability of businesses that attract women.

Fact of the matter is that many of them DO make money, and good money. We had a salon and was amazed how many women (and some men) spent with us, but spend they did. It's not my place to moralise on whether the lady should feed her kids or have a massage any more than it's my place to help a man decide whether he needs that super drill as an extension to his manhood or not !

We also had a milkshake bar and that to, made good money. The trick is in keeping your costs low and the quality high, it's not rocket science. (although I admit we should have kept an eye on the staff better, thieving gits ! ) The only other thing is to get out or sell it at the right time, Retail, as does everything else, works in cycles. There are no bad ideas, you may just not be in the right place at the right time.

 

[90DC]

Sadly image is pretty much everything in our modern society. It is truly amazing how much people seem to spend on things like this and as you say, even when they have other pretty pressing priorities.

It also amazes me how many Hair Salons where are as well. In the area I used to live in there were (and as far as I know still are) 9 or 10 within a 1/2 mile radius. I know people who go to some of these regularly and pay £70.00-£100.00 for what is basically to be honest a hair cut. Same style, so no actual re-styling required.

I'll never fully understand the need for so many hairdressers (and beauty salons) within a small vicinity. I wouldn't touch such a saturated market, but maybe I'm missing a point somewhere. I bought myself a Babyliss hair clippers kit from Tesco for £12, my OH has a mobile hairdresser who comes around and excuse the pun, charges a snip of the hairdressers because essentially, it's a haircut.

 

[justdamo]

Traditional sweet shops!

Woolies went under and everyone and their wife seems to have jumped on the traditional pick and mix/sweet shop bandwagon.

A prime example of this is Sugacane a franchise which is still somehow managing to suck franchisees in despite them going from 30 stores at the end of last year to about 6/7 now.

They're clearly trying to hide it too as they removed the store locations list from their site and whenever anyone asks about the closed stores on their Facebook page they remove the comment and block the user.

 

[astutiumRob]

Although I think the most useless retail product of recent times as Dasani. Does anyone remember Coca Cola's foray into bottled water. I think it came from the fresh springs of Slough!

Was that the one shown by some TV program to be actually tap-water from Heathrow ?

 

[leemason]

Was that the one shown by some TV program to be actually tap-water from Heathrow ?

Yes, but I think it was actually Slough tap water (which has got to be worth at least £1 a bottle in my opinion)

 

[Laurenpears]

2 years ago there was only 1 that i knew of, and now just in my local town theres 4.... and are always empty!
Personally i hate the idea of fish eating away at my feet ...

Sounds daft, but Tv shows such as TOWIE are keeping the beauty industry in the money atm.... Nails, Hair extensions, Fake tan, eyelashes etc.....

 

[warnie]

Traditional sweet shops!

Woolies went under and everyone and their wife seems to have jumped on the traditional pick and mix/sweet shop bandwagon.

A prime example of this is Sugacane a franchise which is still somehow managing to suck franchisees in despite them going from 30 stores at the end of last year to about 6/7 now.

They're clearly trying to hide it too as they removed the store locations list from their site and whenever anyone asks about the closed stores on their Facebook page they remove the comment and block the user.

Spot on ours is rubbish!

It may support 2 households but when I brought a new car last year I had to go to the Fiat Garage! bypassing the Mercedes and BMW dealerships so I see your point

 

[justdamo]

Spot on ours is rubbish!

It may support 2 households but when I brought a new car last year I had to go to the Fiat Garage! bypassing the Mercedes and BMW dealerships so I see your point

Sarcasm, the lowest form of wit

I wasn't personally attacking you however good luck as you're going to need it.

Why spend daft amounts on sweets in a "traditional" sweet shop when you can nip down Tesco and get the same thing much cheaper?

 

[mhall]

Why spend daft amounts on sweets in a "traditional" sweet shop when you can nip down Tesco and get the same thing much cheaper?

If you need to ask that question, you are not Warnies target market so I doubt any sleep will be lost over you trooping to the Slave trader

 

[Laurenpears]

Must mention that an American "Candy" Store has recently opened in our town selling american chocolate bars, chips, popcorn, fizzy drinks and cereal.... its ridiculously expensive but people que out of the door to get in and spend in there.... Box of fruit Loop Cereal = £8.99 Root Beer - £2.50 a can!

 

[Banned]

Why spend daft amounts on sweets in a "traditional" sweet shop when you can nip down Tesco and get the same thing much cheaper?

Actually Tesco do not sell traditional sweets, they never will either as they come in 3kg bags to be weighed out which are different to the pre-bagged products they sell. I don't think weighing out sweets would fit their model.

Take Lyons midget gems, you can get them pre-bagged in Tesco yes, totally different product and flavours to the Lyons midget gems you will find in a "proper" sweet shop.

You have also been conned into the "Tesco are cheaper" brain set. Maybe actually have a look one day, as an example the sweet shop in our town sell pick 'n' mix by the cup (as well as weighed) and they are cheaper than Tesco. Nothing else they sell can be found in Tesco.

 

[justdamo]

If you need to ask that question, you are not Warnies target market so I doubt any sleep will be lost over you trooping to the Slave trader

I don't I just goto the wholesaler.

I didn't post to cause offense I was simply stating that judging by the amount that have opened and then quite quickly closed recently in various places I've visited that they simply don't work.

 

[justdamo]

Actually Tesco do not sell traditional sweets, they never will either as they come in 3kg bags to be weighed out which are different to the pre-bagged products they sell. I don't think weighing out sweets would fit their model.

Take Lyons midget gems, you can get them pre-bagged in Tesco yes, totally different product and flavours to the Lyons midget gems you will find in a "proper" sweet shop.

You may know that but the majority of cash strapped customers won't

 

[mhall]

You may know that but the majority of cash strapped customers won't

Rubbish.

How many times do we have to explain that it is NOT ALL ABOUT PRICE !

 

[Banned]

You may know that but the majority of cash strapped customers won't

Read the post again, I've added a bit that probably wasn't there when you read it

 

[justdamo]

Rubbish.

How many times do we have to explain that it is NOT ALL ABOUT PRICE !

Putting it in capitals doesn't make it true.

The general public are price driven especially when it comes to a product you can get anywhere.

 

[justdamo]

Read the post again, I've added a bit that probably wasn't there when you read it

I haven't been conned I work in the confectionary business so I know where you can get these sweets from cheaply as do the general public I used Tesco as an example.

 

[Banned]

I don't I just goto the wholesaler.

Again you won't be going to the same wholesaler the traditional sweet shops use, so you won't be getting the same products and you certainly won't be getting even close to the same trade price.

 

[justdamo]

Again you won't be going to the same wholesaler the traditional sweet shops use, so you won't be getting the same products and you certainly won't be getting even close to the same trade price.

I'm not talking Makro here I know where they go.

 

[Banned]

I'm not talking Makro here I know where they go.

So why did you say

you can nip down Tesco and get the same thing much cheaper?

You have confused me now with your contradictions :|

 

[justdamo]

So why did you say

You have confused me now with your contradictions :|

As I said I stated previously (which you've ignored) it's the general public perception of it and was just an example.

If they see what appears to be the same product pre packaged in X retailer for less they'll buy from there.

I hardly see that as a contradiction

 

[The Ginger Ninja]

So why did you say

You have confused me now with your contradictions :|

He clearly meant the customer rather than the shop owner.

A traditional sweet shop near me goes to Hancocks for all its stock - I know this as all the jars are exactly the same ones that they sell.

 

[Banned]

As I said I stated previously (which you've ignored) it's the general public perception of it and was just an example.

If they see what appears to be the same product pre packaged in X retailer for less they'll buy from there.

In the same way people use Butcher's, Bakers, Greengrocers, Deli's? The general public are not all the sheep you presume they are.

You will also never get close to the range of sweets a traditional sweet shop stock either. People do get fed up with generic wine gums or mints.

However, I do agree that to many of these shops have sprung up with the demise of Woolworths (don't know why, they sold so much more than sweets!), and many are now closing as well. I wouldn't say it's a flawed idea though, more just an over saturated market that destroyed the usp for many of those trading pre-Woolworths demise. And if anyone is clueless enough to need to buy a franchise to open a sweet shop then they don't really have much hope of succeeding in retail anyway.

 

[Banned]

He clearly meant the customer rather than the shop owner.

A traditional sweet shop near me goes to Hancocks for all its stock - I know this as all the jars are exactly the same ones that they sell.

Hancocks don't sell their own branded jars. They sell branded bags though.

 

[The Ginger Ninja]

Hancocks don't sell their own branded jars. They sell branded bags though.

Thats not what I meant. I go into a traditional sweet shop near me and the jars as X, Y and Z, exactly the same jars that are at Hancocks. So I know this is where they go to buy their stock.

Hardly a problem, just saying

 

[mhall]

Putting it in capitals doesn't make it true.

The general public are price driven especially when it comes to a product you can get anywhere.

You are wrong. SOME of the general Public are price driven. SOME of the general public can't tell the difference between Tesco cheapo sweets and the real stuff, but an awful lot WILL be able to tell the difference and WILL be happy to pay a premium price for a premium product. If not, we would all have gone under many moons ago.

...and it's in capitals because it is true, not in an attempt to make it so.

 

[The Ginger Ninja]

And if anyone is clueless enough to need to buy a franchise to open a sweet shop then they don't really have much hope of succeeding in retail anyway.

Sugacane are very devious in this regard, as already said they have removed the store list from their website as a number of stores have opened and closed in quick succession:

Sheffield - closed October, and this is one in a busy shopping centre
Barnsley - closed New Year
Doncaster - closed January
Preston - opened November, closed February
Liverpool - same again (a month or two either way)

And a host of others. Any comments on their page about why the stores are closed, or even mention of it, results in the comment being removed and you being banned from commenting further, They also claim to have "offices" in the UAE and Dubai on their web page. All very dodgy if you ask me.

 

[justdamo]

You are wrong. SOME of the general Public are price driven. SOME of the general public can't tell the difference between Tesco cheapo sweets and the real stuff, but an awful lot WILL be able to tell the difference and WILL be happy to pay a premium price for a premium product. If not, we would all have gone under many moons ago.

...and it's in capitals because it is true, not in an attempt to make it so.

I hadn't noticed this forum was so pedantic.

Ok SOME of the general public are price driven but the fact remains these sorts of shop are failing left right and centre.

 

[Banned]

Where's Warnie legged it to? Comes here and starts an argument then scarpers

 

[The Ginger Ninja]

Must mention that an American "Candy" Store has recently opened in our town selling american chocolate bars, chips, popcorn, fizzy drinks and cereal.... its ridiculously expensive but people que out of the door to get in and spend in there.... Box of fruit Loop Cereal = £8.99 Root Beer - £2.50 a can!

Well thats a rip-off given the shop I own in Sheffield sells the cereal for £5.95 and the root beer for half that price

 

[david.duncan]

Camping shops and outlets. So many pop up and do not last. Not surprising, since Millets - one of the giants in the industry - fair poorly on the high street compared to the online market.