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I'm not so sure. whenever I go into Comet it's empty. The amount of floor space is huge - it must cost a fortune to heat and light these places as well as pay staff to loiter?
One thing I've noticed on the last few visits is their laptops - most seem to have error messages on them ... ;-9
Currys have seen their rents actually reduce after some hard bargaining with the landlords who dislike empty sheds. Its what you can do with them look at Currys (I worked for Currys for 12yys btw), they have done ok but as soon as Best Buy told them they were coming over the stores got a revamp and a mezanine floor. The stores are doing ok
the shares are up (even further after today's news).
Whats needed for Comet is short term confidence, one reason for empty shops is the buyers are struggling to get the stock due to manufacturers/distributors holding back as the rumours spread. This will be an issue for them over xmas.
Long term, They need to move away from white goods or only sell them via the web, have a dedicated mobile and games arm within the store. Sell services better (Sky, Virgin), again dedicated staff. Have what you don't get from Amazon the product there to walk away with (especially the entertainment products).
Stores need an update but this could be done while the above is ongoing.0 -
Graham_Devon wrote: »And M&S and Tesco and Sainsburys and Next and Argos, obviously dependant on the park.
Many selling the very same stuff.
Or even better John Lewis, click and collect into our local Waitrose.
Next day delivery, no waiting around, no journey over to the retail park (6 miles minimum in our case).
Very often competitive prices (price match other retailers with "high street" presence too), good selection, plus extended guarantees. At best of all nice service. I wonder why they are doing so well?"If you act like an illiterate man, your learning will never stop... Being uneducated, you have no fear of the future.".....
"big business is parasitic, like a mosquito, whereas I prefer the lighter touch, like that of a butterfly. "A butterfly can suck honey from the flower without damaging it," "Arunachalam Muruganantham0 -
Graham_Devon wrote: »And M&S and Tesco and Sainsburys and Next and Argos, obviously dependant on the park.
Many selling the very same stuff.
I agree but like I suggest the move away from mundane white goods to high margin products which carry a service/contract is a business model they can do.
How many people buy a mobile online? Not many the shops survive and margins although lower are decent compared with the electrical margin of around 18%0 -
grizzly1911 wrote: »Or even better John Lewis, click and collect into our local Waitrose.
Next day delivery, no waiting around, no journey over to the retail park (6 miles minimum in our case).
Very often competitive prices (price match other retailers with "high street" presence too), good selection, plus extended guarantees. At best of all nice service. I wonder why they are doing so well?
Yep John Lewis are excellent, they have gone from a dying department store to a high end, good value retailer, but the electric market is huge and there is room for a competitor if they are smart enough.0 -
Yep John Lewis are excellent, they have gone from a dying department store to a high end, good value retailer, but the electric market is huge and there is room for a competitor if they are smart enough.
There was an American outfit that tried to enter the market (Buy Direct?), in the last couple of years, they didn't last too long either."If you act like an illiterate man, your learning will never stop... Being uneducated, you have no fear of the future.".....
"big business is parasitic, like a mosquito, whereas I prefer the lighter touch, like that of a butterfly. "A butterfly can suck honey from the flower without damaging it," "Arunachalam Muruganantham0 -
I agree but like I suggest the move away from mundane white goods to high margin products which carry a service/contract is a business model they can do.
How many people buy a mobile online? Not many the shops survive and margins although lower are decent compared with the electrical margin of around 18%
We do it by phone after trawling the internet to check TCO.
One reason for phones is the fact they have been constantly revolving with upgrades every 18/24 months. Also the packages are about as clear as the energy tariffs. People need hand holding."If you act like an illiterate man, your learning will never stop... Being uneducated, you have no fear of the future.".....
"big business is parasitic, like a mosquito, whereas I prefer the lighter touch, like that of a butterfly. "A butterfly can suck honey from the flower without damaging it," "Arunachalam Muruganantham0 -
I cannot say that I use Comet much unless I want something in a real hurry or want to look at a product before I buy it from someone else on line. However, I do this in Curry's too.
I think its in bad taste to criticise Comet Service when so many of the staff are potentially about to lose their jobs before Christmas.Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are incapable of forming such opinions.0 -
I wonder which company will go next, there are rumours some big companies will be going after Christmas0
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:huh:
I think its in bad taste to criticise Comet Service when so many of the staff are potentially about to lose their jobs before Christmas.
The reason they are losing their jobs is because of their poor Comet Service.
I go into shops now because I want something immediately otherwise I will order it online.
However if the:
1. staff ignore me because they are too busy fiddling with stuff at the other end of the store, or
2. patronise me - some men tend to do that with women with electrical and computer equipment, or,
3. show a complete lack of product knowledge and make it up,
I will go and buy it on the internet and wait the 24-48 hours for it to arrive.
I've worked in other European countries and have brought electrical goods there. The difference between the customer service in the high street electrical/computer chain shops in those countries and the likes of Comet is massive.
High street shops need to follow the John Lewis model of customer service to survive and the likes of Comet haven't learnt this to their detriment.I'm not cynical I'm realistic
(If a link I give opens pop ups I won't know I don't use windows)0 -
:huh:
The reason they are losing their jobs is because of their poor Comet Service.
I go into shops now because I want something immediately otherwise I will order it online.
However if the:
1. staff ignore me because they are too busy fiddling with stuff at the other end of the store, or
2. patronise me - some men tend to do that with women with electrical and computer equipment, or,
3. show a complete lack of product knowledge and make it up,
I will go and buy it on the internet and wait the 24-48 hours for it to arrive.
I've worked in other European countries and have brought electrical goods there. The difference between the customer service in the high street electrical/computer chain shops in those countries and the likes of Comet is massive.
High street shops need to follow the John Lewis model of customer service to survive and the likes of Comet haven't learnt this to their detriment.
Yes but you would probably have gone to buy on the internet in any case. I am not saying service was good only that they are losing their jobs and we should be more considerate.
I do not think that poor service is due to the front line staff alone. Its determined by management, training and policies. It depends on what they pay the staff. Most John Lewis staff feel part of the company and behave like it. Many Comet staff are poorly paid, expected to sell expensive warranties most people will not buy and are often given more training on the warranties than the kit they are selling.
Comets failure is of the outdated business model.Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are incapable of forming such opinions.0
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