Replies

1. 
   9619 | Dec 15, 2010 07:04am | #1

   Neil,

   That was a sad post.  As you know, I work part time in the Woodcraft store in Springfield, VA.  It was hit by the economic downturn, but things have picked up.  A Woodcraft store, or a Rockler store, fills a unique niche in a city.  It has stuff that you just cant get at the big box stores.   Like you, I was saddened by the loss of the Lie Nielsen planes at Woodcraft, but come to find out, three Woodcraft stores still sell LN planes.  They deal directly with LN, and do not work through WC hdq in doing that.    It seems that all stories have a "Part 2".   

   You know, the WC stores are franchises.  The Rockler stores are owned by the corporation.  There is a big difference between those two approaches.   Initially, WC stores were also owned by the central corporation, but they switched.  I wonder how well your WC store franchisee was acquainted with the ins and outs of retail sales.   Retail sales is a far more complex game than it seems to the uninitiate.   

   Here is an interesting question for you.  Which company do you think will do the best over the next ten years:   Rockler, Woodcraft or Harbor Freight?    and why?

   Here is another interesting question for you.  Which company do you think will do better over the next ten years: Lee Valley or Lie Nielsen?  and why?

   Another:  Stanley bought Black and Decker, which owned Delta, DeWalt and Porter Cable, and Stanley is trying to get back into the "good" plane business.  What do you think the future of Stanley, Delta, DeWalt and Porter Cable are, and why?

   And finally :   How many of the current makers of specialty infill planes do you think will still be in business in three years?  and why?     

   The only comment I will make is that the ability of people to buy woodworking tools over the web is A POWERFUL FACTOR in the retail tool business.  Although people like to try a tool before they buy it,  the ability of folks to research on the web and then to choose a tool and have it delivered to their door in a few days is a powerful factor, which makes it more difficult for the brick and mortar stores.  All of the tool sellers have figured that out.  

    i merely pose these tough issues as thought problems.  Please do not feel the need to answer them here. The "why" is the most interesting part of the game.   There was a great discussion a while back on the future of woodworking retail tool businesses.  

   Glad you scored a couple of Nora Hall videos.  I have a few and they are pretty good.  

   Good luck to all of the remaining Woodcraft stores.    They provide a real service to the community.

   Mel

2. 
   RalphBarker | Dec 15, 2010 10:35am | #2

   the times

   That's unfortunate, Neil. The Albuquerque Woodcraft franchise is almost there. It has been up for sale for some months. Although I try to support "local" businesses when possible, their shelves are so bare that it's not worth the trip. So, it's in the stereotypical downward spiral. The sales level doesn't fund the inventory, and the lack of inventory further exacerbates the lack of sales.

3. 
   mvflaim | Dec 15, 2010 10:26pm | #3

   Woodcraft in Cincy

   The Woodcraft in Cincinnati just moved about five miles away into an old Old Navy. The store is twice the size as their old store but it doesn't carry any additional products. The store looks empty the way it is. The only difference in the new store is that they now offer a picture framing service. I'm still trying to figure out why they moved.

1. 
   RalphBarker | Dec 16, 2010 10:34am | #4

   moving a business

   "I'm still trying to figure out why they moved."

   I would assume that their lease was up at the old location, and that they either got a better deal on the larger space, or felt the new location was "better" in terms of exposure or access (roads, parking, etc.) Hard to say, really.

   The empty feel of the new, larger space is interesting, That's mostly a matter of merchandizing acumen, I think. They probably would have been better off by putting up a temporary wall to reduce the apparent floor space until sales warranted having and displaying more inventory.

   Interestingly, the Albuquerque Woodworker's Supply store is just the opposite. They have a relatively small display/sales floor, but a huge warehouse area behind the wall. You might not find what you're looking for on the floor, but if you ask, they are likely to have it in the warehouse. To me, that says the nature of their business is more oriented to online or mail-order sales, as opposed to actual foot traffic - a business model that is much different than the typical Woodcraft franchise.