Hearthlist Digest #347 - Sunday, September 19, 1999
 
Hearth USA
  by "tony" <[email protected]>
Re:Big Box Stores
  by "Jim Butchart" <[email protected]>
Hearth USA
  by "Craig Issod" <[email protected]>
 

(back)
Subject: Hearth USA
From: "tony" <[email protected]>
Date: Sun, 19 Sep 1999 11:43:41 -0500
 
So has anone heard about this opening yet?  I believe the first one was
supposed to open by now.
This has to represent the greatest threat to the independent service
oriented hearth shop ever.
Please don't keep deluding yourselves that if we just offer great
service, personal attention, blah blah blah, we will be able to compete.
If this chain suceeds, it will be the beginning of the end of individual
owner operated shops with exclusive lines and loyal customer base.
Tony Palmer
 
 
 
 

(back)
Subject: Re:Big Box Stores
From: "Jim Butchart" <[email protected]>
Date: Sun, 19 Sep 1999 11:44:36 -0500
 
> Date: Sat, 18 Sep 1999 14:43:49 -0500
>
> Anyone following the California Legislature's bill to restrict 'Big Box'
> Stores? (Wal-Mart, Costco, etc)
>
> Seems the lawmakers are concerned about their impact on smaller =
retailers,
> downtown. Apparently the bill made it to the Governors desk before the =
big
> box guys even knew about it.
 
Yes I'm following it.  Funny that you should ask because I just whipped =
off
an email to Gov. Grey Davis expressing my hope that he will veto the bill.
The bill is bad legislation that was fast-tracked through just in time for
the session to come to an end so there was no debate, and no discussion.
 
I don't believe it was the lawmakers concern about the big-box stores at
all.  It was the concern of a couple of labor unions.
 
I just got home from Costco where I spent over $200 on not only groceries
but a bunch of supplies for our store as well.  For the state to restrict =
my
privilege to buy at best price and for these "big guys" to set the pace =
for
the competition just isn't right and isn't fair.
 
My only complaint with Costco today was that the place was packed.
 
Here is an address for the legislative analysis:
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_0051-0100/ab_84_cfa_19990917_1819=
1
8_asm_floor.html
 
The arguments a pretty weak and it amazes me the bill made it to the
governor.
 
 
 
 

(back)
Subject: Hearth USA
From: "Craig Issod" <[email protected]>
Date: Sun, 19 Sep 1999 11:51:26 -0500
 
Tony Said:
>This has to represent the greatest threat to the independent service
>oriented hearth shop ever.
 
Tony, don't give any one business too much credit. If HOME DEPOT virtually
gave up on the idea after field trials, that isn't daying too much for the
concept.
 
I've been in the business for 21 years, and have seen all kinds of Hearth
Franchises come and go..anyone remember Fireplace Charlies? I think they
were one of the first regional "big box" hearth stores.
 
The market for hearth products is increasing. The average pricse of theses
items are also increasing. The end result is a market that is big enough
for a LOT of players - specialty store, internet, direct sales, builder
supplied and big box store. In fact, my guess would be that the BIg Box
stores have a harder row to hoe than the other methods.
 
 
 
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Craig Issod             HearthNet at http://www.hearth.com
[email protected]    Everything your Hearth Desires
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