Halfords... how long before it goes bump?
Discussion
Been in a few times lately... there is never anyone to serve you (only one girl in the shop today) and there are hardly ever any customers in there.
Also, they no longer stock any spares to speak of unless its really run of the mill (no Honda Civic oil filter today)
So is the writing on the wall?
Also, they no longer stock any spares to speak of unless its really run of the mill (no Honda Civic oil filter today)
So is the writing on the wall?
I think they do pretty good trade with Bikehut but I know the smartphone business has made a real dent in satnav sales which wa sone of their biggest income streams.
I think the MOT/service centres was a good idea as many people know the Halfords brand and would probably pick them over an unknown local garage when not wanting to use main dealers.
It's a tricky time for all retailers and more so for places like halfords who's original core business is all but dead (Home car maint).
Nick
I think the MOT/service centres was a good idea as many people know the Halfords brand and would probably pick them over an unknown local garage when not wanting to use main dealers.
It's a tricky time for all retailers and more so for places like halfords who's original core business is all but dead (Home car maint).
Nick
HorneyMX5 said:
I think they do pretty good trade with Bikehut but I know the smartphone business has made a real dent in satnav sales which wa sone of their biggest income streams.
I think the MOT/service centres was a good idea as many people know the Halfords brand and would probably pick them over an unknown local garage when not wanting to use main dealers.
It's a tricky time for all retailers and more so for places like halfords who's original core business is all but dead (Home car maint).
Nick
But that isn't their core market anymore. Halfords have become the Woolworths of the motoring world and just sell over priced tat. Judging by the queues at my local corner shop parts emporium, home maintenance is as strong as ever, halfords just aren't in on the game anymore I think the MOT/service centres was a good idea as many people know the Halfords brand and would probably pick them over an unknown local garage when not wanting to use main dealers.
It's a tricky time for all retailers and more so for places like halfords who's original core business is all but dead (Home car maint).
Nick
A very very long time.
If you go into a store in the evening (after half past five), there isn't going to be a huge staff in there as most stores are down to four people by then, and near to closing they're going to be getting things sorted, cashing up etc. so perhaps that's why you didn't see many staff.
Anyway, as regards spares, a pretty decent range is still held and new lines are still coming in for new parts, so I wouldn't say it's being "wound down" - the only thing that's changed recently is alternators and starter motors are no longer stocked, and it was a very rare thing to sell one anyway.
Bikehut do great trade, I'm seeing more and more Carreras and the like around town and particularly in holiday times and most of all at Christmas thousands of pounds of bikes go out every day. Satnav sales have stayed fairly constant as a lot of users (especially those who can afford higher-end models) are older and don't want to / can't deal with the smartphone option. Don't underestimate the sales and markup to be had on all the styling crap too. And I could tell you what the profit percentage is on an H7 headlight bulb, but you wouldn't believe me
Business did go down a little, as everybody's probably did, in the financial crisis - but actually, as money becomes tighter, people want to avoid going to garages or paying bodyshops and come to Halfords to get stuff themselves more. It almost evened out.
The company made a profit around 10% of its revenue last year.
If you go into a store in the evening (after half past five), there isn't going to be a huge staff in there as most stores are down to four people by then, and near to closing they're going to be getting things sorted, cashing up etc. so perhaps that's why you didn't see many staff.
Anyway, as regards spares, a pretty decent range is still held and new lines are still coming in for new parts, so I wouldn't say it's being "wound down" - the only thing that's changed recently is alternators and starter motors are no longer stocked, and it was a very rare thing to sell one anyway.
Bikehut do great trade, I'm seeing more and more Carreras and the like around town and particularly in holiday times and most of all at Christmas thousands of pounds of bikes go out every day. Satnav sales have stayed fairly constant as a lot of users (especially those who can afford higher-end models) are older and don't want to / can't deal with the smartphone option. Don't underestimate the sales and markup to be had on all the styling crap too. And I could tell you what the profit percentage is on an H7 headlight bulb, but you wouldn't believe me
Business did go down a little, as everybody's probably did, in the financial crisis - but actually, as money becomes tighter, people want to avoid going to garages or paying bodyshops and come to Halfords to get stuff themselves more. It almost evened out.
The company made a profit around 10% of its revenue last year.
Good old Halfrauds. They will always make a profit off the uninitiated. It's easy to find in any town compared to your local motor factors etc so the majority of stuff they sell (I.e an interior bulb for 1.40 compared to my local motor factors at 80p) they can get away with selling at an extortionate rate
" Car parts retailer Halfords has reported a 20.4% fall in half-year pre-tax profits to £54.7m as cash-strapped motorists cut back on maintenance."
With a profit of over £50m, I'd say it'll be a while.
With a profit of over £50m, I'd say it'll be a while.
McSam said:
And I could tell you what the profit percentage is on an H7 headlight bulb, but you wouldn't believe me
I think I might believe you, actually 
I actually drove to Halfords specifically for a new H4 for my bike a month or so ago, and spent ages scanning the bulb rack for the basic entry-level H4 rather than the fancy "all weather" and "ultra blue" jobbies which I expected to be overpriced. Until I found even the basic H4 (one, not a pair) left precious little change from a tenner.
Normally, I'd just grit my teeth and shell out, but I genuinely did just walk out. That level of overpricing is just unacceptable.
Well, down my way (West Kent) there aren't many corner-shop motor factors any more, so there isn't a great deal of competition. Every time I go into Halfords, I seem to spend £30 at least - theres a good range, especially of cleaning products etc.
I don't enjoy a wander round the shop any more though - that (dubious, and totally male) pleasure has been fulfilled for some time now by Machine Mart, or, as my wife calls it, 'World of Bloke'.
I don't enjoy a wander round the shop any more though - that (dubious, and totally male) pleasure has been fulfilled for some time now by Machine Mart, or, as my wife calls it, 'World of Bloke'.
bqf said:
Well, down my way (West Kent) there aren't many corner-shop motor factors any more, so there isn't a great deal of competition. Every time I go into Halfords, I seem to spend £30 at least - theres a good range, especially of cleaning products etc.
I don't enjoy a wander round the shop any more though - that (dubious, and totally male) pleasure has been fulfilled for some time now by Machine Mart, or, as my wife calls it, 'World of Bloke'.
Thats brilliant, I clearly need to get down to one of those places and check it out I don't enjoy a wander round the shop any more though - that (dubious, and totally male) pleasure has been fulfilled for some time now by Machine Mart, or, as my wife calls it, 'World of Bloke'.
doogz said:
The discount on consumables like bulbs, filters, spark plugs, etc, with a trade card is pretty ridiculous.
Yep. I love the two seperate receipts - one for you showing how much you paid, one for your customer showing how much they paid.Luckiliy is is very easy to get a trade card...
bababa said:
McSam said:
And I could tell you what the profit percentage is on an H7 headlight bulb, but you wouldn't believe me
I think I might believe you, actually I actually drove to Halfords specifically for a new H4 for my bike a month or so ago, and spent ages scanning the bulb rack for the basic entry-level H4 rather than the fancy "all weather" and "ultra blue" jobbies which I expected to be overpriced. Until I found even the basic H4 (one, not a pair) left precious little change from a tenner.
Normally, I'd just grit my teeth and shell out, but I genuinely did just walk out. That level of overpricing is just unacceptable.
The separate receipts for trade are sometimes excellent
By the way, staff are generally trained not to vegetate at the desks, they should be going around and approaching customers if they look like they need help, or just facing up and tidying or checking stock levels. Obviously they should be keeping an eye on their department's desk too, though.
My local Halfords (Chilwell near Nottingham) has in the past couple of years really increased their stock of maintenance odds and ends - copper washers, lengths of fuel hose and similar parts - the sort of stuff you often need at 3:30 on a Sunday afternoon when you realised you've just dropped a crucial bolt into the depths of an engine bay!
For years I slated Halfords due to their instance on selling car tart but no actual parts the home mechanic might actually need, so I'm glad that's changed… Now that the 'Barry' scene no longer seems as prevalent as it once was, I suppose there’s more room in store for real car parts.
The staff in the local branch (especially on the parts counter) are pretty good and have helped me out a fair bit in the past.
The 'professional' range of tools are damn good quality for the money IMO... always seem to be on offer as well :-)
I don't work for them... just a satisfied customer (won’t buy bulbs from ‘em though!).
For years I slated Halfords due to their instance on selling car tart but no actual parts the home mechanic might actually need, so I'm glad that's changed… Now that the 'Barry' scene no longer seems as prevalent as it once was, I suppose there’s more room in store for real car parts.
The staff in the local branch (especially on the parts counter) are pretty good and have helped me out a fair bit in the past.
The 'professional' range of tools are damn good quality for the money IMO... always seem to be on offer as well :-)
I don't work for them... just a satisfied customer (won’t buy bulbs from ‘em though!).
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