Comet

[Art0ir]

The margin on brown goods is tight, more than you would imagine. There was a tool reserved for managers on the intranet that broke down the margins on each product and it's not surprising they bump up the prices of cables, software, warranties, etc. It's the only stuff they make any significant money on.

[Mermaid]

Art0ir said:

The margin on brown goods is tight, more than you would imagine. There was a tool reserved for managers on the intranet that broke down the margins on each product and it's not surprising they bump up the prices of cables, software, warranties, etc. It's the only stuff they make any significant money on.

It has also become a commodity trade, with margins shrinking, even for the big Japanese brands.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/11/01/uk-panaso...


Hospital consultants are feeling the pinch right now (Watchdog last night) - providers like BUPA laying down the maximum costs for a procedure that is often so much lower than what very experienced consultants are willing to work for. However, because there is pool of young consultants on stream willing to do jobs at a lesser revenue, so the senior guys are getting squeezed.

[oyster]

Otispunkmeyer said:

standing there while some guy regals me with stuff that is wrong.

HRH?

[Odie]

Mermaid said:

essayer said:

..You have to differentiate on something else; service and trust are probably the most important; hence why people still use local bike shops and John Lewis!

Agreed. JL also now veering towards online business, with their stores carrying less stock.

Big mistake IMHO, you always need to play to your strength, price is a big factor in a sale but quality and good customer service can get people to pay that bit more if its done correctly.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

So Comet are disappearing. They'll be back again some day.

(sorry, weak astromonical gag)

[hollydog]

So will be next on the retail side i suspect it could be one of the big furniture sheds. Next thing we will see is tumbleweeds blowing round at these retail parks.

Edited by hollydog on Thursday 1st November 14:03

[anonymous-user]

I guess the next stage once the internet sellers have gained a monopoly is for manufacturers to set up their own direct selling websites and put the internet sellers out of business.

[Oakey]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Don't most already do this?

[Ozzie Osmond]

A sad day for all the emplyees who will lose their jobs.

A bad day for the landlords who will have the exciting prospect of finding new tenants in the current economic climate.

[aka_kerrly]

Ozzie Osmond said:

A sad day for all the emplyees who will lose their jobs.

A bad day for the landlords who will have the exciting prospect of finding new tenants in the current economic climate.

It can only mean one thing, more pound shops!

[hollydog]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Yep that's ok but there's 6000 more people out of work that will not be able to afford new electrical items.
Scary times when is this all going to end or is every company going to fold.

[rpguk]

Websites just been taken offline

[essayer]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Overpriced popcorn for those with the munchies?

[Pints]

Mermaid said:

FT Link

Thanks

[Pints]

rpguk said:

Websites just been taken offline

I was only on there this morning.

[Art0ir]

rpguk said:

Websites just been taken offline

You're not wrong, oh dear.

[GadgeS3C]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

So Comet are disappearing. They'll be back again some day.

(sorry, weak astromonical gag)

You mean, what goes around, comes around?

[Cobnapint]

rpguk said:

Websites just been taken offline

Yes, it went off while I was looking for any evidence of a sale. Cheap 32GB Nexus 7 cometh my way, hopefully.

[Cobnapint]

Halmyre said:

So what are Comet doing wrong that Currys are doing right? Or are Currys next to go? The branch nearest me never seems to be that busy.

It must have been some 5 or 6 years ago, I remember noticing how drab, disorganised and devoid of customers Comet was compared to the brightly coloured and modern interiors of PC World and Currys were next door. And I thought then that if they didn't pull their socks up it would be curtains.
Perhaps it was the orange and black colour scheme that people didn't find attractive, but ultimately Comet took far to long to update the interior of their stores, and along with stiff competition from the likes of Amazon, they've paid for it - big time.

Sorry for those loosing their jobs, but at least this should produce a bit of job security for staff at their retail park neighbours.

[Mermaid]

Cobnapint said:

..Sorry for those loosing their jobs, but at least this should produce a bit of job security for staff at their retail park neighbours.

The competition is nice & warm shopping centres & the internet.