I am a fairly new retailer, 2.5 years, with a question for experienced
retailers. Is there a precedent regarding two stores in a small community
carrying similar products? What is the protocol? There is another store in my
area that is constantly telling me that I have products that are similar to
their products. I am a fair trade store and only purchase from fair trade
wholesalers. This has been my only stipulation in the past. Is it my
responsibility to know what is being sold in stores in my area and avoid
selling similar products? I’m interested to see how other experienced
retailers would handle this.
I'm a new small retailer & as for now I'm the only store that carries high
quality handcrafted items in my area that customers can walk into,but I would
visit them to see what we carry alike & if so I wouldn't change much nor my
business model, but I'd make it a priority to be different.
With that said I only work with small Indie Owners for what I want to carry
from them.
I also would do the same as the other poster said.
Discontinue that same item or go with a different provider.
Depending on each persons area, there is a way to be & carry different items
that can't be copied.
Other than that if you have been succeeding, don't change anything, let them
talk.
My niece owns a retail store and she has encountered this problem. First, are
your businesses located near each other? If so, then it would benefit both
you and your competitor if you carry different products. Otherwise, you end
up competing on price, which is never a good thing. If you are in different
sections of your town, then duplication isn't such a problem. If you want to
draw people to your store, then, yes, it becomes a responsibility to know
what your closest competitor is selling so you can offer different items,
thus giving people a reason to visit your store as well as hers/his. Then you
both win and sales should be better for both of you.
The way my niece handles the issue is to ask the wholesalers and
manufacturer's reps she purchases from who they sell to near her. She
explains to them that she wants to carry unique products. She has also
dropped a product line when she learned that a rep later sold the same
product to a near by competitor. Though it is a form of protocol, it is more
a matter of good business sense to provide potential customers with unique
items.
everyting is duplicated or multi branded of same product in the market, no
one can avoid this. my suggestion is simply get advice from fair trade
wholesalers, they would know about your area and products.
Toynga | Window Shopper | 6/29/2012 - 4:51 pm
quality handcrafted items in my area that customers can walk into,but I would
visit them to see what we carry alike & if so I wouldn't change much nor my
business model, but I'd make it a priority to be different.
With that said I only work with small Indie Owners for what I want to carry
from them.
I also would do the same as the other poster said.
Discontinue that same item or go with a different provider.
Depending on each persons area, there is a way to be & carry different items
that can't be copied.
Other than that if you have been succeeding, don't change anything, let them
talk.
BizResearcher | Window Shopper | 6/5/2012 - 12:35 pm
your businesses located near each other? If so, then it would benefit both
you and your competitor if you carry different products. Otherwise, you end
up competing on price, which is never a good thing. If you are in different
sections of your town, then duplication isn't such a problem. If you want to
draw people to your store, then, yes, it becomes a responsibility to know
what your closest competitor is selling so you can offer different items,
thus giving people a reason to visit your store as well as hers/his. Then you
both win and sales should be better for both of you.
The way my niece handles the issue is to ask the wholesalers and
manufacturer's reps she purchases from who they sell to near her. She
explains to them that she wants to carry unique products. She has also
dropped a product line when she learned that a rep later sold the same
product to a near by competitor. Though it is a form of protocol, it is more
a matter of good business sense to provide potential customers with unique
items.
pacquiaovsbradleylive | Window Shopper | 6/5/2012 - 1:25 am
4 bakeries in it, all selling the same stuff and all seem to be busy.
dusense | Window Shopper | 6/5/2012 - 1:33 am
one can avoid this. my suggestion is simply get advice from fair trade
wholesalers, they would know about your area and products.
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