Are you at the front lines of Retail?

jlw61

IMHO, one of the more interesting and relevant threads, of late, is the Confessions of a Grocery Stocker.

Is there anyone else in the front lines of retail? I think interesting information could be gleaned from areas such as:

Car Mechanic
Plumber
Vending Sales
Services - Resteraunt, hotel, etc

To name but a few.

Before you post, please read the above thread to get an idea of what may be relevant information that will draw interest. Also, let's keep the threads (if they start) together. Personally, if there are other grocery stockers, I would love to see you posting on that thread so we can get a country wide view of the situation.

Thanks!
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When somebody makes a statement you don't understand, don't tell him he's crazy. Ask him what he means. -- Otto Harkaman, Space Viking

VMarcHart

Sort of on these lines, or second-hand information if you will. I own a BMW and am a member of an internet forum. It circulated this weekend that (BMW) mechanics are seeing less cars these days, basically only for necessary repairs.

heartandseoul · Tar Sands Joined: May 29, 2008 Posts: 31

I work part-time as a receptionist in an upscale hair salon. I feel that women will continue spending money on their hair until things get really bad. I haven't seen the weekly salon income reduced a whole lot - yet.
The clients we see are what I'd call upper middle-class and well-off retirees. I have seen them schedule fewer colors and hilights and maintain their hair cut schedule.
Our hair cuts are about $40 and a hilight/color process is upwards of $110.00.
We charge $20 for a child's cut and I have not seen a drop off in those clients yet, which really surprises me, but people say we're very close and they don't want to drive across town for a cheaper kids cut due to gas cost.

I do see people purchasing much fewer of the "upscale" hair care products. Our sales of those have dropped dramatically.

We have had more elderly clients who usually come in for their weekly shampoo set cancel them altogether or make them every other week. Many of them are on a fixed income.
We're raising our prices in September and the product prices have already increased a lot so I'm thinking I'll see more of a reduction in scheduling come fall.

burtonridr · Intermediate Crude Joined: Aug 03, 2007 Posts: 763

Tyler_JC

People prioritize based on their preferences. You might think buying steaks instead of chicken is more important than the color of your hair but there are people who disagree.

There are some who put looking nice above eating well.

Actually, a huge percentage of the female population chooses to look nice instead of eating well.

I work for a legislative tracking service and budget cuts in state government have lead to a few cancellations from some of the state agencies but the lobbyists are sticking around for the long haul.
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burtonridr · Intermediate Crude Joined: Aug 03, 2007 Posts: 763

harpbook · Coal Joined: Jun 19, 2008 Posts: 2

I wouldn't say I'm at the front lines of anything, but I run a rare book and art business in an affluent area about 2 hours east of NYC. Here are my impressions. Business is as strong as ever, if not stronger. My wealthy clients have not stopped buying, and my everyday customers are still doing their part. Furthermore, retail shops in my area are thriving and business is still strong. Home prices have decreased (but not tanked) and I get the sense that contractors may be hurting a bit, but you must remember that for the last 10 years there has been an unmitigated boom. So any slowdown must be seen in the light that people have done very well for a long time. My house cost about $450,000 in 2002. It was appraised at almost twice that in 2007. I have no doubt that I'd have a hard time selling for the highest price, but I could sell my house tomorrow for $650,000.

People are of course talking about the economic slowdown, but at least in this area there has been little actual fallout, yet.

By the way, I started reading this site about 6 weeks ago, and I have learned a tremendous amount about PO and how it relates to the economy and the world. Thanks.

PonyBoy78

I'm not at retail front lines either, but I am in healthcare. We're seeing a notable decrease in ER patients this year.

In the last few years, we'd find our work night pacing to range from "steady" to "overwhelming." Now? It's pretty common that we send people home early due to lack of work.

vilemerchant · Heavy Crude Joined: Jul 07, 2008 Posts: 121

I live in Australia and work in liquor retail. Definitely a dropoff in sales in my store in the last 6 months. Hasn't deterred me however, i'm drinking more than ever.

People are much more price conscious, they come in when their favourite booze is on sale for the week and buy in bulk. I'm actually looking to build up a 6 month supply of beer (when the zombie hordes come knocking I plan to be drunk), and also hard liquor which has an unlimited shelf life, could be worth a fortune if supply gets disrupted.

Serial_Worrier · Heavy Crude Joined: Jun 05, 2008 Posts: 233

jlw61

jlw61

PonyBoy78

careinke

My future daughter in law works at a Mini Cooper dealer. She says business is booming at the dealership. As a matter of fact, they are in the proccess of opening another dealership in the state.

I guess Minni's are the way the rich downsize.

Cliff (Start a rEVOLution, grow a garden)

jlw61