Stalwart surf publication to open physical location! In this market! Warren Buffett says, "Brilliant!"
Is there anything doing worse, in our beloved surf world, than media?
Why yes!
Yes there is!
Retail!
The consumer has completely changed her habits over the past five years. When he used to see something he wanted, say a pair of Mick Fanning beer bottle sandals from Reef, he would shuffle down to his local surf shop and purchase. When she used to see something she couldn’t live without, say a Roxy boardshort, she would beg her mom to drop her off down the street but end up at her local surf shop and purchase.
Now it is Amazon. Sorry surf shop!
But God bless Surfing Magazine because rumor has it they are jumping into that depressed space with both Mick Fanning beer bottle sandal from Reef feet!
Do you remember only a few short years ago when Surfer opened a bar on Oahu’s North Shore?
Now there are multiple franchises and the money is pouring in.
I mocked the idea when I first saw it but it was only from jealousy. Surfers are drunks and bars a great idea.
But retail?
I suppose it could make great sense. Surfing could highlight product, etc. and then direct traffic directly to brick and mortar locations. Buy today! Like Stab/Stitch except good.
Plus the Surfing name has history and mean something.
Anyhow, the great Warren Buffett once said, “I will tell you how to become rich. Close the doors. Be fearful when others are greedy. Be greedy when others are fearful.”
Opening a surf shop today is super greedy. And maybe wonderful! Surfing magazine’s creative director Pete Taras is going to be rich!
Ok Surfers in bars drinking = profit
Chas it is simple the retail model is – Surf Shops in Bars!!
Buy Boardies or Ts get free beers. The more pissed you get the more shit you buy.
Guess that is what is going to happen over at Balter – those guys are geniuses
Well, I may have spoken too soon. We may be a bit farther down this Amazon road that I realized!
http://www.amazon.com/Chann…
Its pretty funny that everyone going online has killed surf shops and at the same time surfstitch is dying on its arse. As for a publication driving people to a physical shop… people are way to cynical to trust a review or recommendation when it comes from the people trying to sell the item and the magazine loses all its legitimacy by not having an objective viewpoint on the stuff. I imagine it will be a shop with a really slick website.
I’d say the online deal is primarily killing the ‘fake’ surf shop but has anything really changed for those who actually surf on a regular basis? I’d like to think most still get our stuff through the same channels: real surf shops and the occasional bro deal.
If Joe in Indiana wants him some Hurley, Quik or Bong, by all means head over to Amazon. If he wants something unique hopefully there will always be small brands, sold through tight distribution channels, which offer products that are inspirational, or at least feel authentic.
All is not lost boys. Just weeding out the b.s.
When I lose the bro deal, I will stop surfing. Or at least not have nice surf things.
My Recipe:
2 for 1 Quiver: Craigslist and the used rack is were its at. Your average surfer will by a high end board and it will not perform as wanted and in most cases that surfer does not have skill level to make the board work. Thru frustration they will trade in or sell at a loss.
T’s: Target carries “Mossimo” Crew and V-Neck solid color no logo. Average plain white V I’m proud to rock like my grandfather and /or liberate my oldest shit. He is a climber and way radder than surf!
Shorts,Shoes, and pants end season sales rack…
Still get’n bro deal on wetsuits!
Is SurfStitch really dying or is just corporate woes? Really interesting if it is failing. Tell me if I’m speaking absolute shit but I’ve noticed that many distribution websites from different industries are becoming more unique or attempting to be my most hated term, “core”. It’s hard to describe as it isn’t bricks and mortar and you can’t walk in and suss it out but I seem to be observing people shy away from websites that don’t seem “legit”. Like SurfStitch I suppose is what Zumiez is for skateboarding. People are embarrassed to say they shopped their despite the fact the service is convenient. Perhaps we will see an uprising of smaller distributors with focus on quality over quantity (who will inevitably offer a less convenient service). I know that I scout around at every shit hole local surf shop looking to purchase a particular board off the rack before I go to a chain store. Maybe it’s just the online equivalent.
My last couple of wetsuits have been guiltily brought thru a Surfstitch like NZ online outlet at the expense of my local.
25% sale price off an item already on sale… hard not to buy from the fuckers when that carrot is dangled.
You know what Negs, you probably can’t be blamed for that in surfing because the surf industry itself doesn’t protect the local shop ideal and it never has. It’s changing now, but up until about 2005 picking a major sponsor in surfing was no different to choosing out of Telstra, Optus or Vodafone (apologies to non-Aussies for this gibberish). They’re all the same and they were all happy to sell to the biggest distributor. No one even pretended to want to keep the money flowing back to the grass roots. By the same token, maybe the grass roots don’t deserve easy money either. We would all love to sit back and open a surf shop and work 5 hour days and then cry about it when we’re poor. On the other hand, the larger companies business tactics are ruthless and cruel. I have no answers on what is right or wrong.
What’s the saying? “If you’re not part of the solution…….
If you’re not getting a warehouse/bro deal and are paying full retail for even some of your surf gear online then get your ass off the couch and support the local shop.
Why the f**k not?
Im weak! those flashing sale banners have a hypnotic effect and that oh so fine, feeling ( fleeting as it may be} of an impulsive online purchase mmmmm…. I also drive an imported car.
Presumably in NZ you have no option on the imported car? Unless you want a tractor, or something?
sheep?
Stand down, Cap’n. The Admiral’s running the show here….
The ironic thing is that the hardware surf stores who have a strong customer base , seem to be booming right now. You are right that , that onlne shops have had an effect on the fashion side of the industry , but really good surf shops with very good online stores seems to be the current formula for success. What Surfing could offer is a bit a mystery , as there are already enough online/surforecast/ hardware store>
You know what else is booming at the moment. Online shops that specialise in bds. It’s not too late for BDSMaurice.
I think the main issue with local shops is they cant survive off board sales alone and they cant afford to offer the discounts for wetties and boardshorts to supplement the income. I only really buy wax and leases from the local store because when push comes to shove I like to save money like everyone else on wetsuits etc.
Well I have a surf shop that has doubled down on boards. Which I think is smart because after the shipping boards pretty much even out. Also, it is the only reason I meander into a surf store, want to touch them sweet sweet boards. Which means I will most likely buy something else
Then you go online and see if you can find it cheaper anywhere else?
everybody uses Amazon. Surf stitch not so much.
Everybody is not from the US of A. Amazing huh?
Alibaba!
There is a deep end?
but everyone should be. isn’t that the american way?
Well we sure as hell know they won’t be selling Joel Tudor Surfboards.
Silk BeachGrit Ascot necktie’s?
What would happen if they had a load of people wanting to buy them? blood feud could turn into love in.
Love Feud™®©
ive never been to surfer the bar in oahu. i suaully just got to kaInos if i want to talk to a coked out member of a Hawaiian surf gang