Hello again,
Just tidying up all the loose ends of our Christmas orders, large and small, plus comparing how we have got on compared to others round here in our business. It seems that the companies that have survived so far will probably do okay. Sales are up for most in unusual ways and different from the traditional trading pattern.
One area that has really taken off for many companies like us, is Internet, eBay and Amazon sales. All the bad news we all hear and see in the Media on retailers discounting at the busiest time of year is the opposite of what the online world is experiencing. This does mean that sometimes items do run out but perhaps this is better than sitting on a load of dead stock that will be hard to shift in January and that will make no money then anyway. It must be a logistical headache for the traditional retailers, trying to keep the goods moving through their outlets – it won’t be long until the Spring Selection will be delivered so that have to make room for it.
My experience was a bit different. The bulk of our business was before the main traditional retail side gained momentum. This meant that our orders were mostly delivered before the second week of December, just the time when the retailers were really staring to panic and cut their prices.
Now that January is here, several large retailers have gone out of business as was predicted during December. On the face of it, most have reasonable products and pricing but have the burden of staff and retail outlets to pay for before they can make any profit. It seems there are too many retailers selling the same thing. Many are not differentiated enough for a special visit, particularly when customer can buy almost anything they want online. On the other hand, some retailers offer either a specific service or have a clever selection of goods that only they carry. These are the ones who have survived this Christmas and in some cases, have done even better that last year.
This year, I am going to focus on several new products that I have come across recently and I have two new brands too about to be launched. more about these soon.
Kind regards, Roy Lewis
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