On Wed, 28 Feb 2018 12:13:31 +0000, Adrian Caspersz wrote:

On 28/02/18 10:59, John Smith wrote:
Looks like Maplin's going down - any regrets? I've found it a bit pricey
in recent years but it's good for kids gifts, cheap batteries, and some
bits you need urgently.

https://www.theguardian.com/business...-business-live


Recovery...

Shut half the shops.
Focus more on selling project stuff than items of instant enlightenment,
Remove all the shelves to the back, think argos/screwfix/toolsatan
Stretch a counter across the branch,
Enter a components distribution partnership with Farnell/CPC/RS,

What makes you think that business model is viable?

All those companies hold huge stocks and deliver next day, often for free with a
big enough order or the right selection of hazardous items.

They have as many trade counters as they think they need, they do not need
'retail' or pseudo trade outlets

CPC have just one trade counter in Preston.

RS have 16 trade counters and don't appear to have opened any new ones for a
decade or more, the lack of weekend opening can be a PITA compared to the likes
of Toolstation/Screwfix and sometimes when you think they ought to be busy you
might be the only customer in there. Sometimes the item you want is not in
stock but at least you can order online for collection the next working day
which avoids having someone hang around to receive and sign for the parcel.

Finally Farnell had only one trade counter at their UK warehouse, open six days
a week since the 1940's...they closed it last year.

The idea of half of the existing Maplin stores or to put it another way 100
stores across the country being instrumental in increasing the turnover of any
or all of these long established primarily industrial next day mail order
companies and making a profit for both them and the parent appears a pipe dream.
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