Turn For the Worst

[TallAdam85]

http://www.target.com/gp/search.htm...words=martial+arts&url=index=target&x=9&y=13\

If it does not work it is a link for target the super store like walmart cause not sure if target is everywhere but now they sell martial arts supply I run a martial arts supply store and I feel this will hurt stores like me and schools now that people can get almost anything from target now

 

[bignick]

thats the motive of operation for the big chain stores...drive the mom and pop places into the ground

 

[auxprix]

Wrong. The motivation for big chain stores is to turn a profit. They don't exist only to destroy small business owners. The key to competing is to offer a service that is superior in some way to what the big guys are offering. It could be tough, but it's possible. A friend of mine ownes a video store that is surviving very well despite being located 3 miles from two blockbusters. He's seen two other locally owned stores within 5 miles go out of business, but now he's actually looking at opening a second location. He competes by learning about the customers' and offering incentives to people who rent alot.

Target is a Minnesota based company, so I'm pretty familiar with it. It is a volume-based discount store like walmart, but it's slightly more pricey and superior to the Walmart standard. I've never seen martial arts equipment in the store, so if there is a section, it's very small.

I'd say that the threat to you is fairly minimal. If people want MA stuff, they usually go to a MA supply store or buy it wholesale. Also, these types of stores experience a high level of employee turnover, so they don't bother investing too much in training. I think that most Martial Artists who went to the section would figure out pretty quickly that the seller is oblivious to the products.

So hang in there and be creative. I personally think you have little to worry about.

 

[Marginal]

If all Target's selling is Century stuff, there should be room for a store that sells higher quality products.

 

[pakua]

In my experience with retailers (not MA, but consumer electronics) buyers often go into the small, specialist, stores and pick their brains about product features and so on. Take a lot of the salesperson's time, get all the info, then say "Thanks, I'm just looking around" and then go and buy at one of the cheaper (chain) stores who don't always have the expertise on the floor.

I know of people going into chain stores and literally asking for a product by exact model number and configuration, and concluding the transaction in a few minutes, having spent hours in the specialists' sucking them dry!

 

[michaeledward]

In my experience with retailers (not MA, but consumer electronics) buyers often go into the small, specialist, stores and pick their brains about product features and so on. Take a lot of the salesperson's time, get all the info, then say "Thanks, I'm just looking around" and then go and buy at one of the cheaper (chain) stores who don't always have the expertise on the floor.

I know of people going into chain stores and literally asking for a product by exact model number and configuration, and concluding the transaction in a few minutes, having spent hours in the specialists' sucking them dry!

While there are some consumers who will behave exactly as you describe, small knowledgeable retailers can build relationships with customers that will pay dividends. Price is a component of a sale, but not the only component. I will gladly pay more for a product from a local retailer, rather than a BigBox store.

Certainly, the Big Box stores may put some price pressure on the local guy, but if the local guy adapts, he can still get a premium from many buyers.

Mike

 

[MJS]

thats the motive of operation for the big chain stores...drive the mom and pop places into the ground

I disagree. Is it the intention of the grocery stores to drive the roadside vegtable stands out of business too?? Its no different than going to Kmart to buy sneakers or going to a store in a shopping mall. Century sells tapes, DVDs, supplies, etc. and so does AWMA. Its simply competition. Its simply people just keeping up with the times.

Mike

 

[grimfang]

well... on one hand, smaller merchants and schools will most likely lose some sales if they are near a Target store that is selling this stuff.
A couple things to consider: If you run a school and sell equipment, odds are your students will continue to purchase from you because they know it supports their school.
And.. since nothing we can do will stop Target from trying to make its money, we can still TRY to put a bright face on the situation... Perhaps a parent will see the equipment in the store, and decide its time for thier child (or themselves) to start studying... OR, little jonny might see the gear and start begging the parents to let him study. (For some reason, a large portion of the population seems to think 'if its good enough for Wal-Mart, its good enough for me') Yeah.. its a stretch.. but crying and worring about it will not change the situation.. so why not try to find something positive about it.

 

[Mark Weiser]

Here is the difference when you go to a bigger chain to buy MA supplies the person selling that item has no clue on the products value or useage. You or I on the other hand sell something else that is service and expertise in MA and uses of the product that we sell.

We can also add value to that product by adding service with that product such as offering a free class with purchase or demo of use of said product.

 

[OC Kid]

I agree with those who say that the big stores really cant compete with the little guy.
The sales person at the big store really doesnt know the product line. Doesnt know what the consumer actually needs.
Cannot special order specialty items/sizes. Is limited on products on hand. Doesnt necessarily have the best quality product for the price.
Cannot give discounts to the school owners who buy in quanity.

 

[terryl965]

That is a shame, I know for me it's the MA store not Target but parent will see the prices and figure same equipment at a lesser price and here in TX they can special order your supply's withen two bussiness day's. Whether good or bad it's the way of the chain to profit from the sport of MA. They got into sport equipment in general to make the bucks and in western Art it's about the sport aspect so why not capaltilize on the market while you can.... GOD BLESS AMERICA

 

[TigerWoman]

I would think parents would look to the school to order their supplies. First of all they don't know what their child needs. The teacher would have to tell them. Second, it should be the school that makes it easy to order. I know at my school,it was not easy to get something ordered because the the teacher was not available to talk to or forgot the order. Make a center where the supplies are available to view if nothing else with order forms on the counter and a mini brochure would be helpful and a place to connect--a box to deposit the orders/questions. Parents coming in and out don't have a lot of time, make it easy.

Target would only put in the basic line so I wouldn't worry about it. It does make it visible since they advertise here every weekend with a color tab. Order better stuff that doesn't have problems later, like stringed chestgear that has strings that tear off or is a safer striking shield. It does take more work though. I will have to tell my instructor/owner of the school as he will have the same problem. I've tried to get his ordering process easier for years... TW

 

[TallAdam85]

People will get it now they don't want to weight for the teacher to order. So Money that would help pay for things at the school from the profit from the gear will not be coming it

 

[AnimEdge]

Kool i wonder if the target close to me has anything, i dont know wher any MA store is around here, theres a knife and weapon store in the mall where i by all my Bo staff and bokkens and what ever but i dont know anywhere around me to get any gear (uniforms,sparring,whatever) and i hear there is one but hes like far away and hard to find, Walmart down here has some like hand and ankle weights and that kinda stuff, i wish there was a MA store close to me and easy too get to i woudl rather buy from one of them anyways unless one is way cheaper

 

[DavidCC]

I am registered at Target for my upcoming wedding... I think I need to go and some "suggested items" to the registry... "No, baby, I don't know why we got a Wavemaster as a wedding gift"

 

[Shurikan]

It's not just Target, Shields and some other sporting goods stores carry Century products. They dont bother my sales at all, because i flat out tell my students that if they purchase merchandise any where other then from me they can deal with there own problems of faulty equip, wrong color, wrong size, and every other problem they deal with. That usally just has them order there stuff from me. But i dont guage them in price either.