A week last Wednesday we posted on Lewis Electrics’ decision to withdraw from the toaster and kettle market. And bulbs and batteries. Though it may seem surprising for an electrical retailer *not* to stock such items, it squarely blamed competition from nearby Tesco.
A week yesterday, the Vale Advertiser newspaper also commented upon the story. Lewis had apparently cut two part- and three full-time posts as a result.
It’s not all doom and gloom, though. Yesterday’s Vale Advertiser had and equally interesting story. Ruthin Decor has bought the entire stock of Lewis’s lightbulbs and its proprietor isn’t complaining at all about supermarket competition. So, on the one hand, Lewis’s have seen a downturn and on the other an adjacent Lôn Parcwr retailer says “local trade is alive and well”. Who do you believe?
Of course, Tesco competes with virtually nothing Ruthin Decor sells. But that’s not to say Ruthin Decor doesn’t have its competitors. There’s Richard Williams Park Road (only open 5½ days compared to Ruthin Decor’s seven).
People will willingly jump in their cars to B&Q at Rhuddlan or Wrexham, or Homebase in Mold. Each of these chains sells a far greater range of stock but when you compare product prices at Ruthin Decor with B&Q you’ll see that prices for paint and emulsion, for example, are there or thereabouts.
If you live in Rhuthun and your car does 40 mpg, based on £1.03 unleaded it will cost you £4.21 at Rhuthun pump prices just to make a return trip to either B&Q.
The Vale article suggests that the key to success is stocking products Tesco doesn’t. Absolutely true and this is something the whole town is struggling with. Suddenly, rather than a store competing directly with the town, the whole town must compete against a store. And it’s easier for Ruthin Decor than convenience town traders, perhaps.
And watch the old station yard Dinbych development.
A week yesterday, the Vale Advertiser newspaper also commented upon the story. Lewis had apparently cut two part- and three full-time posts as a result.
It’s not all doom and gloom, though. Yesterday’s Vale Advertiser had and equally interesting story. Ruthin Decor has bought the entire stock of Lewis’s lightbulbs and its proprietor isn’t complaining at all about supermarket competition. So, on the one hand, Lewis’s have seen a downturn and on the other an adjacent Lôn Parcwr retailer says “local trade is alive and well”. Who do you believe?
Of course, Tesco competes with virtually nothing Ruthin Decor sells. But that’s not to say Ruthin Decor doesn’t have its competitors. There’s Richard Williams Park Road (only open 5½ days compared to Ruthin Decor’s seven).
People will willingly jump in their cars to B&Q at Rhuddlan or Wrexham, or Homebase in Mold. Each of these chains sells a far greater range of stock but when you compare product prices at Ruthin Decor with B&Q you’ll see that prices for paint and emulsion, for example, are there or thereabouts.
If you live in Rhuthun and your car does 40 mpg, based on £1.03 unleaded it will cost you £4.21 at Rhuthun pump prices just to make a return trip to either B&Q.
The Vale article suggests that the key to success is stocking products Tesco doesn’t. Absolutely true and this is something the whole town is struggling with. Suddenly, rather than a store competing directly with the town, the whole town must compete against a store. And it’s easier for Ruthin Decor than convenience town traders, perhaps.
And watch the old station yard Dinbych development.