Dos_Box Posted February 27, 2017 Posted February 27, 2017 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 Posted February 27, 2017 Posted February 27, 2017 However, they do fit into the local area and better then a giant Waterstones taking over.
stevejp Posted February 27, 2017 Posted February 27, 2017 ...and surely any decent bookshop, chain or not, is better than no bookshop at all?
Sagima Posted February 28, 2017 Posted February 28, 2017 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 Posted February 28, 2017 Posted February 28, 2017 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. 2
sparkeh Posted February 28, 2017 Posted February 28, 2017 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. 2
elsiegee40 Posted February 28, 2017 Posted February 28, 2017 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 Posted February 28, 2017 Posted February 28, 2017 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 Posted February 28, 2017 Posted February 28, 2017 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 Posted February 28, 2017 Posted February 28, 2017 Starbucks does do this... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stealth_Starbucks Why aren't I surprised?
Katy Posted February 28, 2017 Posted February 28, 2017 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 Posted February 28, 2017 Posted February 28, 2017 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 Posted February 28, 2017 Posted February 28, 2017 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!
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