Topic: GW Actually LIKES Independent Stores?

[Michael W]

http://us.games-workshop.com/news/current/iwantastore.htm

Is GW actually...trying...to...attract...independent...stores...?

I'm not sure if I should cower in terror or cheer with joy that somebody finally got through to them.

But I do know that I am desperately hoping that they do it right and that it works.  I hope.

[Gargoyle]

It is a massive U Turn form the 'We can do everything ourselves' policy.
It can only help their situation.

[Calvin]

It certainly is a nice change.

[oak_prince]

They realize how important the brick-and-mortar stores are. It's the reason they're so hard on online retailers...

[Rufas the Eccentric]

The question is will they actually make it easier for the stores to deal with them.  Generally the stores have to commit to carrying the intire product line.  If Lord of the Rings is a dud in a given area, the owner is stuck with it.  If the entire product line doesn't move, the owner has shelled out a great deal of cash.  Small businesses have a difficult operating under such conditions.

[Dendo Star]

I have mighty selfish concerns.

If they get more floorspace from indy stores, does that allow new armies to be sold?

Such as Cathay, Araby, Kislev, DoW, Chaos Dwarfs?

[Midaski]

There was some evidence of this in the recent report in the thread down the page.

I gather that there has been some success in the UK with a 'Boxes Only' policy. Normal Toyshops carry the basic race regiment boxes and the everyday accessories like the paint set and glues.

We have a retail element to the company I work for, and the store attached to our Head Office, carries the State Troop sets/ the Cannon/Mortar and the HBVG/Helstorm boxes.
They have grown the business a little bit and now do all the paint pots/brushes and scatters too and clippers and files etc.

I wonder if that is the way they will go in the US?
Stocking blisters is a lot of investment and stocktaking lines. 

[Guildenstern]

well, w/o independent stores probably noone in Germany and other continental European countries would play warhammer.

[cisse]

well, w/o independent stores probably noone in Germany and other continental European countries would play warhammer.

Too true, I'm afraid. I live in Belgium, and we don't even have a GW store here. And I sure ain't going to drive to the Netherlands to visit one.  I'm lucky in that I have a very nice independent store right in my town (Antwerp).

[Vivendi]

well, w/o independent stores probably noone in Germany and other continental European countries would play warhammer.

Too true, I'm afraid. I live in Belgium, and we don't even have a GW store here. And I sure ain't going to drive to the Netherlands to visit one.

I think that there is one in Brussel. Not sure, but I do have a nice indipent one also in Gent.

[Veldemere]

This points to GW really forging a way forwards. Previously they have relied only upon themselves to develop, produce and sell their products.

GW stores should be seen  as specialists not the norm.

[buakjon]

  There is something to be said about the indy retailers. My friend owns one of the two stores in San Diego that sell GW product. The nearest GW store to San Diego is LA Battle Bunker, which is approximatly a two hour drive (or more depending on traffic). If it wasn't for these two stores here in San Diego nobody would ever even play GW games around here. Fortunatly my friend does have a very good relation with GW, and has had very few problems with thm. I think the reason for this is that he sells so much of their product that they can't afford to lose his buissness here.
  I have heard many of the horror stories about GW and thier treatment of Indy stores. When I was here fifteen years ago there were a lot more stores selling thier product, but because of the treatment they got from GE all but two have closed.