Death of a Tackle Shop

I think this is going to be a common occurance, not just in fishing, but is "specialist" shops everywhere.... i'm thinking along the lines of model shops,record shops,etc etc

The fact is that the internet can kill trade.
My local store is really good. It dosn't specialise in one genre of angling, so sometimes i have to go further afield.

Recently i was looking at canal boxes, i went in and spoke to the owner, who went through the catalouge with me etc etc. I promised her that if i was going to buy one, she would get my trade.... after all, i might save a few bob on the internet, but theres nothing like "shopping" in real life, taking something home that day!...

I think i'll win in the end.


Incidently, iv'e also visited shops that are more like hostels for match anglers!...people sitting around smoking, rude service, getting treated like shit!.... in my opinion some of these establisments deserve to close!

A good article Jeff.
I know of a couple of shops that sound similar to what you have described, and I often wonder if the owners are really interested in retailing as you have said.
I have said before, I travel over twelve miles just for a pint of maggots, to a shop that is obviousely well run, and has a warm and friendly atmosphere. The staff are allways busy doing something, and are allways on hand if you want advice. I could go round the corner for my bait and stuff to one of these other shops. But they just don't make you feel welcome at all.
Do I think you are too old to give it a go?
Not at all, if anybody could turn things around or make a new start, you could.

What a pity they didn't listen to you, but maybe their minds were already made up.

he could have offset the losses against the tax on his other companies, so he obviously wasn't that bothered about keeping it open.

That is exactly what happened with one of the other shops Rik, and then he sold it.

Twice in the past 15 years I have studied, in depth, the economics of buying and running my own tackle shop, and believe me the figures are quite frightening.

Unless we support our local tackle shops then they will be going out of business at an alarming rate.

Maybe I am lucky that I have both Dave Moody's shop and Avon Angling within reasonable distance of my home. That said, Dave is having to move his ship to Witherington Farm Lakes as the building he has been in for years is being 'redeveloped' for housing. This is particularly sad as the building dates back to 1852 when it was the County Workhouse, then in 1912 it became a home for mentally discturbed young ladies, and in 1952 was bouth for its current use which is a furniture depository with Moody's shop attached.

At both Dave Moody's and Avon Angling I have always been treated really well, always a cup of tea and a long chat, and a decent discount of my purchases.Both proprietors know the value of customer service and go out of their way to provide it.

Long may they both be in business serving anglers!

If they ever read this they will be upset with me, but I wrote it as a warning to other tackle shop owners and to other anglers. As Peter has just said, if they all go out of business, what the hell are we going to do then?

So we must support the local tackle shop, but like Baz we also expect respect. When I sent the piece to Graham I also included the story that a customer had been in the shop and spent ?55.

Now ?20 or even ?30 you can spend without thinking too much about it. But when you are spending, maybe investing is the better word, over ?50 the shop assistant should take more notice. They took the money off this guy and he walked out to the sound of his own footsteps.

There wasn't a "Thank you.", a "Kiss my butt." or begger all said and that's the way it is in many tackle shops. Too much chatter about matches, fishing, clubs and not enough attention to the little things like "Cheerio, SIR."

Incidentally, this shops covers all types of angling except fly fishing.

I totally agree with Nick - this is an issue with all independent and specialist retail outlets.

I managed a similar business for 9.5 years and it's obvious to me where these shops go wrong.

The distibutors put undue pressure on the shops by trying to force bulk buying etc. Great if you're a massive shop but what about the rest? I think the distributors need to look at the long term picture instead of letting the sales reps dumps as many shops with as much stuff as they can.

The shops don't have a clue which sections or brands are the most profitable. How do you know what to change if you're not measuring what's working and what's not?

The margins are poor and yet there's more customer demand for lower prices and greater service than ever. There was a thread on here only last week about how tackle shops should lower their prices. I've spoken to many dealers who wish that their customers would appreciate that when they sell something for ?100 they don't get to put ?100 in their pocket! On many items if they discount a product by 10% they will have given away most of their profit.

With the advent of modern baits such as pellets maggot sales are down and consequently there's less reason to visit tackle shops as regularly.

The internet has obviously had a huge effect. Internet sales were up 40% and 30% through the retail sector over the last two years while overall retail sales are down.

The price, availability and level of service from some internet dealers is so good that independent shops can't compete.

And the biggest problem is complacency. I've talked to many tackle dealers and they're always moaning about this and that instead of getting their finger out and doing something about it. Anglers don't owe the shops anything. The shops have to prompt change and learn from those shops that are doing well.

Many shops would do well to read up on marketing and retail management. Funnily enough the Internet is a great source of information!

ps. If there are any shops out there who might need some help - get in touch or have a look at http://www.delticmedia.co.uk/

Back to the actual service we get from a shop.
The two poorer shops I have mentioned are quite happy to leave you standing there, while they talk in a group amongst themselves, and at times you have to be rude and interupt their little conflabs in order to be served.

On the other hand, the one good shop that I go to, I have noticed that although there can be as many as five or six assistants in the shop, they are never stood in a group talking to each other. Maybe the owner (Dave) has realized that this can be a bad thing and has made a strict rule to stop this from happening in the first place.

Marsh Tackle is my local shop but I haven't gone there in quite a few years because of the appalling service. They just don't care, if you're not one of the favoured crowd then "it's kiss my arse if you think I'll help". I much prefer to make the trip to Amersham Outdoor Sports. Neil is the very best of tackle shop owners - I can't recommend his shop enough. If the Marsh Tackle staff had half the manners and common decency of Neil, then maybe they'd still be in business. I for one will not be sorry to see them go.

I have to agree that many shops are guilty of ignoring customers, new potential customers especially.

The daft thing is that tackle shop staff have a wealth of knowledge about fishing and fishing tackle but very little knowledge about retail.

Not all tackle shops are suffering, my local polegate Angling Centre just went with the flow. You have to keep your eye on the ball in any business. Have a look at Nimpopo advertised on here. Tony is very good as well.

Even if you don't see what you want, ask him and he will get you a price for it.

They are generally a wealth of knowledge about local venues, which doesn't always come across on the internet. Tony is also our club chairman, but I don't hold that against him.

Another local tackle shop that has turned his bisness around is Tony's Tackle, Seaside, Eastbourne. (Why are they always called Tony?) He relies heavily on mail order, specialises in Carp and Sea Fishing.

Tony Kerridge went from almost broke to success almost overnight. OK in a few years. Oh and he can fish a bit.

I think that is where my prefered tackle shop scores Mat. The staff are very knowledgeable about the tackle they sell along with good angling advice, and Dave the owner, concentrates on cutomer care and retail.It is a very well run and organised business.

There is no doubt that the tackle trade is in the mire. It certainly is in London. I live in Fulham and ten years ago I could visit five tackle shops (six actually but I didn't know about the one I use now).

The trouble is many callers just drop in for a chat; they often don't buy anything. My current most frequented shop gives me a ten per cent discount on anything I buy except maggots and casters (both of which I buy infrequently). I have even been trusted to take away an item and use it before paying - that is unusual!

howvere this shop is small and very crowded with angling gear. It is often difficult to find what you want (although they usually stock it)and despite the discount I can buy mail order cheaper.

It's a hard life out there in the trade with long hours and little fishing tiome available for the owner. I wouldn't do it. However, my favourite shop beats the other shop I use hands down for service and personal attention because it doesn't adopt the 'supermarket' approach to selling. The 'other' shop though will I am sure have a much greater turnover although with a very impersonal approach to its' customers. I can buy just about anything that is available in the 'other' shop but I visit only in desperation.

However, in a couple of years time I wouln't ming betting that the 'supermarket' will still be turning a profit and the other will be out of business. London is very short of tackle shops.

One of my local dealers was telling me how he only makes around 5% margin on most of the poles he sells and yet he is expected to buy in a number of them for stock and has to pay up within 30 days.

Not only that but he knows that some of his larger competitors are able to buy them at such a price (by buying in bulk) that they can sell them at less than his cost price and still make a profit.

All that's going to happen is that the larger and more switched on stores will take more and more market share from the others until there's a lot less standing.

I blame a lot on manufactures and reps. They want traders to buy in bulk or to put in multiple item orders. I asked my local tackle shop to order a reel, fortunately he already had an order to go so just added the reel to his order. Problem was the spare spool was fauly. In order for him to replace the spool he had to make up another multiple order. He also told me that some manufactures purposley miss items of an order, again to get the back order items, he has to make up another multiple order. Great if he wants stuff, not so great if he doesn't.

You're pushing the right buttons, Matt. Spot on in every detail so far. The deals that manufacturers offer on rods and poles are unfair to the smaller dealer hence your 5% margin theory. When the big guys buy it's 100 poles and the manufacturers say "Great. Then we'll GIVE you another 50." and that's where teh bigger margins are.

James, I've known Neil at Amersham for quite a few years now although I haven't been up there for a couple of years. He's a very nice chap (and his dad) and nothing's too much trouble for him. Space is limited, but he makes pretty good use of it.

When I worked in the furnishings trade our company dealt with a group of retailers called "Floreat". They were all independent shop retailers in their own right, but all members of this association. The association went around all the manufacturers and wholesalers and struck the best deals they could to put their members on an equal footing to the bigger stores.

This is what, perhaps, the tackle trade wants.

James, are we talking about marsh tackle at New Romney? If so,I have had great service from them for years,right back to when they opened in Dymchurch. I am not a local and only visit 2 or 3 times a year and always get a warm welcome.

I've been trying locally to get a JRC x-lite roamer bedchair with no luck and ended up ordering from sheltons of peterborough who had an ad in a coupla carp mags...

Local dealers were fairly critical of getting stock from various companies espescially JRC and Nash...

I wonder if the shops that shift more 'units' get preference for supply?

Funny thing tho; It saved me money in the end...