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Last Of The Independents?
July 7, 2008
Every day I see more and more independent retailers going the way of the do-do. They're either going out of business because of intense competition or morphing into one of several forms of not-so-independent stores. These not-so-independent stores include big-volume specialty stores, franchises, and buyouts/mergers. Gone are the days of mom-and-pop shops.
When my grandfather, Estel Howard, opened our store 38 years ago he had a vision. He dreamed of being the main go-to for baby products in our area. That dream has long since been a reality. What happens, though, if all the independents change and sell-out and suddenly we can't even count on our buying group (of which we are the second oldest member in existence) to back us and our philosophies.
Gone are the days of idealism. Every store is just out to grow until it's bursting at the seams regardless of the cost to others on the same team. No one seems to have a true love or passion for the industry anymore. I realize that these are extreme accusations, but this is what I see happening all around me. It's all about turning a buck. Are we, the few remaining idealists, really the last of the independents? Is every mom in the future only going to have big box options for their baby's products?
If independents fall by the wayside, so do independent qualities. Gone will be the days of service, selection, and consumer satisfaction. Here to stay will be days of greed, volume, and apathy. This is the direction in which we are all headed if we don't stand up for the independent way of life.
I would like to encourage all of you true independents to stick together and remember the philosophies of our founders. Remember what you really love about this industry and reflect daily on keeping the passion for it alive. If you don't love the children, the products, the customer service, and the happy mommies, then you may need to reevaluate your reasons for being a part of such an important consumer industry. You may think it naive of me to be so idealistic. So be it if this is your position. My position remains, though, that independents should remain, above all, independent.
Thoughts?
Posted by Kelly Nelson on July 7, 2008 | Comments (2)
