Waterstones goes stealthy!

[Dos_Box]

Well, this is a bit sneaky! - Waterstones under fire for secret shops - BBC News

Lots of people complaning that it is trying to sneak into smaller towns which have resisted 'big' chains on their high streets.

Apparently there are others playing this game too but will have to have a look to see which.

[sparkeh]

However, they do fit into the local area and better then a giant Waterstones taking over.

[stevejp]

...and surely any decent bookshop, chain or not, is better than no bookshop at all?

[Sagima]

I quite like that they tried to adapt their store to fit the local character rather than just sticking out like a sore thumb. It would be nice if more chains did that - saves every high street / town centre looking the same.

[elsiegee40]

It is however deception... pretending to be a local independent.

 

How would you feel if your favourite local coffee shop turned out to be Starbucks in disguise? You may have strong opinions on Starbucks contributions to the exchequer.

 

Because they're backed by big bucks, this "independent" suddenly has the backing to ride through the commercial lows enabling it to force out any true independent opposition.

[sparkeh]

It is however deception... pretending to be a local independent.

 

How would you feel if your favourite local coffee shop turned out to be Starbucks in disguise? You may have strong opinions on Starbucks contributions to the exchequer.

 

Because they're backed by big bucks, this "independent" suddenly has the backing to ride through the commercial lows enabling it to force out any true independent opposition.

I would like to see shops being filled rather than joining the line of empty shops that make up a lot of High Streets these days, be they independent or not.

 

All of these new Waterstones are on High Streets that no longer have independent book stores on them so there's no independent competition. Also, they all have signs in the window stating that the name of the shop is a trading name of Waterstones.

[elsiegee40]

I would like to see shops being filled rather than joining the line of empty shops that make up a lot of High Streets these days, be they independent or not.

 

All of these new Waterstones are on High Streets that no longer have independent book stores on them so there's no independent competition. Also, they all have signs in the window stating that the name of the shop is a trading name of Waterstones.

 

I have no issue as long as they're up front with it.

[Katy]

Another option to "blend in" with small villages etc is just use a different styling for the name Waterstones, the co-op store in Hawkshead used to (maybe still does) fit in well because it was really nice lettering rather than just a backlit vinyl covered plastic sign.

[bald_pig]

It is however deception... pretending to be a local independent.

 

How would you feel if your favourite local coffee shop turned out to be Starbucks in disguise? You may have strong opinions on Starbucks contributions to the exchequer.

 

Because they're backed by big bucks, this "independent" suddenly has the backing to ride through the commercial lows enabling it to force out any true independent opposition.

 

Starbucks does do this...

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stealth_Starbucks

[elsiegee40]

Starbucks does do this...

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stealth_Starbucks

 

Why aren't I surprised?

[Katy]

Starbucks does do this...

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stealth_Starbucks

 

Also don't forget "Seattle's Best Coffee", another Starbucks brand

https://solutions.starbucks.com/our-brands

[bald_pig]

Also don't forget "Seattle's Best Coffee", another Starbucks brand

https://solutions.starbucks.com/our-brands

 

Yes, but I think it's a fairly well known thing, they even supply KFC under that brand!

[Fazza]

The Shopping Centre in MK didn't want a Millets store in their shopping centre. After years of trying Millets gave up asking and instead purchased the whole company of a chain of stores that had a store in the MK shopping centre and then rebranded it to a Millets store #problemsolved!