is small beautiful?

[dekker]

in the early '70 E.F. Schumacher wrote "Small is Beautiful".
I won't pretend to be familiar with its tenets, maybe some of you are.
The reason I raise the topic is in light of the Big Box retailers experiencing a downturn in their retail model. Future and Best Buy just closed 15 stores.

http://o.canada.com/2013/02/01/how-showrooming-is-killing-big-box-retail-across-canada/

On this forum we constantly boast of doing just that and it's interesting to see the impact it has.

Is Big on its way out?

[SeanFTW]

Re: is small beautiful?

Oh, retailers? Nevermind.

[hackpro]

Re: is small beautiful?

People can only buy so many tv's. For big box stores like these, they likely do little to no sales in music and video anymore due to the digital age. I can't see people actually going out and dropping $30 on a blu-ray disc anymore.

People are also more educated on products because of the vast amount of info at their finger tips, and with that, they can search out the best deals across a wider geographical area.

I would doubt eBay and Amazon are hurting compared to the likes of The Bay, Bestbuy/Future Shop. But that's the cost of B/M establishments.

[Sergio]

Re: is small beautiful?

Yep, online sales have destroyed big box model. They should return to Consumers Distributing like model; order online and pick up at distribution centre.

[68shark]

Re: is small beautiful?

Yep, online sales have destroyed big box model. They should return to Consumers Distributing like model; order online and pick up at distribution centre.

Sergio, we agree on something . I agree completely here. I don't like "big box" at all and prefer to shop in smaller stores with an emphasis on service. Particularly if I need some help in choosing the right product for my needs. Sorry to see jobs lost as always, but it's a sign of the times.

As my pic shows, I have an older car as my "toy". Just bought some new parts for it online in the US. Unlike a TV or other electronic equipment, I don't need advice for it, I know exactly what I'm buying. Go online, select, pay, provide shipping info and voila, 5 days later the package arrives. That's just one example of how those of us on the wrong side of 50 are changing the way we buy. Those much younger grew up doing everything "wired". This trend will become more pronounced over time and more closures.

[laps]

Re: is small beautiful?

Yep, online sales have destroyed big box model. They should return to Consumers Distributing like model; order online and pick up at distribution centre.

That is the plan for best Buy - a consumers distributing model.

[mrusse01]

Re: is small beautiful?

Sergio, we agree on something . I agree completely here. I don't like "big box" at all and prefer to shop in smaller stores with an emphasis on service. Particularly if I need some help in choosing the right product for my needs. Sorry to see jobs lost as always, but it's a sign of the times.

As my pic shows, I have an older car as my "toy". Just bought some new parts for it online in the US. Unlike a TV or other electronic equipment, I don't need advice for it, I know exactly what I'm buying. Go online, select, pay, provide shipping info and voila, 5 days later the package arrives. That's just one example of how those of us on the wrong side of 50 are changing the way we buy. Those much younger grew up doing everything "wired". This trend will become more pronounced over time and more closures.

I find though that most salespeople, whether it be at a big box store or a smaller independent place are not very good sources of information. I wouldn't go into a smaller electronics store and ask their opinion on various TV's for example because I don't really trust them to be objective or knowledgeable and they probably aren't exposed to everything that is on the market. I doubt you'd ever hear someone at an independent store, say Bay Bloor Radio, suggest you buy a TV or audio system that they don't carry.

[synergy]

Re: is small beautiful?

That is the plan for best Buy - a consumers distributing model.

Will we have to flip thru a disgustingly goppy laminated catalogue (on a ring) and fill out our selections using a little tiny golf pencil? Then line up for an hour only to then be told by some zit-faced teenager that they're out of stock?

[hackpro]

Re: is small beautiful?

Will we have to flip thru a disgustingly goppy laminated catalogue (on a ring) and fill out our selections using a little tiny golf pencil?

Waiting in line at the Queensway/Kipling location as a child to get a new G.I. Joe figure was awesome.

[RicoSuave]

Re: is small beautiful?

Purchased my first set of golf clubs at CD when I was 14. Campbell Pin Hi 7 piece set $35.

[dekker]

Re: is small beautiful?

just to get back to the original Schumacher premise, he thought that big box should act like a small shop. I'm assuming that would mean personal service a guarantee and followup.
Some the best car salesmen swore the followup call was not only a high priority but a surefire setup for the next round.
Imagine getting a call from your saleman asking how things are coming along and offering if he can do anything.

[4wedges]

Re: is small beautiful?

Do consumers want service? If not, shop big box. If you want quality service by qualified sales staff, don't shop big box, but expect to pay more for your product. Personally for anything of value, I am happy to pay more for good service.

[Clevelandfan]

Re: is small beautiful?

Waiting in line at the Queensway/Kipling location as a child to get a new G.I. Joe figure was awesome.

Waiting in line and filling out a tiny piece of paper with a golf pencil and then presenting it and waiting for them to go in the back to look and come back and tell you they don't have it. I'm sure we'll all go back to the new version of consumers distributors.

[bobobs]

Re: is small beautiful?

I think that big and small (retail) are dying. With all of the info at our fingertips, you don't need to go too far to find any info you need on a product. The argument that a small shop will give you better service and info, is far fetched. They will push what they have in stock to stay alive, even if you know they are not telling the truth. Online sales are booming. Only drawback is returns, but maybe that is a good thing. I wonder what the percentage of returns are at big box stores?

[hackerhare]

Re: is small beautiful?

Purchased my first set of golf clubs at CD when I was 14. Campbell Pin Hi 7 piece set $35.

And Canada Cup golf balls.