Article Number : 2043 |
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| Date | 6/8/2007 8:36:42 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=2043 |
| Abstract | Unless you’ve been comatose for the past nine months or so, you’re well aware business conditions have been anything but stellar. Some retailers are treading water, waiting for things to rebound, while others are flat out drowning... |
| Article | Unless you’ve been comatose for the past nine months or so, you’re well aware business conditions have been anything but stellar. Some retailers are treading water, waiting for things to rebound, while others are flat out drowning. The other day I was talking to one of the industry’s major retail players who is not only holding his own, but looking to grow his business. But how? He has grown substantially over the last seven years—organically as well as through diversification—but that growth has slowed in these challenging times. “We can’t expand quickly enough,” he said. Then he told me about an idea with which he had been playing around for some time. “I want to extend our reach beyond our grasp. What do you think about a group or alignment concept?” I thought the idea was brilliant. He already had a proven blueprint for success. Why couldn’t he take his show on the road to retailers who could benefit? Hey, it’s not like he’d be breaking new ground. Alan Greenberg and Howard Brodsky were tried-and-true retailers before they formed Carpet One. Marv Berlin franchised his New York Carpet World concept. Bob Hill and Olga Robertson have extended their $45 million Illinois-based Floor Covering Associates into the 50-member FCA Network. Now they control about $100 million. And there have been others past and present. But this retailer is looking to be different. Consider it less a formalized program and more a consultancy offering—certainly not a one-size-fits-all. He is merely seeking a few retailers who think they need some help. He is looking for people who know they are doing some things wrong and are willing to listen and learn how they can be better. He is looking for people who want to grow. He is looking for people willing to make sacrifices in order to improve their business. But here’s the deal. Like everything else he does, he is not going to jump into this with reckless abandon. He wants to start with one retailer and has asked me to find him. Call it a pilot program. He and his team are willing to come in and help with buying, marketing, merchandising, advertising, store layout, business plans, financials, etc. “We are prepared to look at everything, analyze and advise.” Hey, just the buying alone could make it worth one’s while. You know that $12-a-yard carpet you bought yesterday? This retailer may have bought it today for $10. Now here’s the best part. There will be no up-front cost. The retailer is willing to simply take a cut of the increased profitability. In other words, it’s a no-lose situation. So if you’re a retailer who could use some help from a company that has a proven track record and would like to be considered for this pilot program, or would like to learn a little more about it, e-mail me at fcnsteve@yahoo.com. It may be the best thing you could do for your business. |