Do you think the majority of kiosks on the pier represent good value for money?
Because they don't.
Perhaps visitors are just a little bit more custom savvy in these austere times?
It always was the case when you went on holiday usual budgets went out the window and it was a spend for all. But can most families really afford that these days?
My guess is after the travel, possibly accomidation, food,drinks etc people are not left with much.
AND .. I don't think it's just because they are Asian/Jewish/Chinese whatever, I think traditional visitors are spending less.
Fester.....
The floor is yours L0L
Fair play B2R,
I'm going to answer all of that in the most constructive and open way that I can.
Firstly, I will say that you are 100% correct that austerity has left less disposable income in people's pockets.
That is more and more obvious everyday.
Parents or Grandparents have less to spend these days, and all you can hear being said is 'you can have a ride, OR and ice cream but not both'
That of course applies to the Toys and Jokes shop opposite, where several times a day you will hear.. 'you had that ice cream, so there's nothing left for that toy'
As regards to value for money in the shops on the pier.
If I saw any of my colleagues (competitors?) arriving in Mercedes or Porsche cars, then I might wonder.
But no, I have to say that given the wholesale price of gift items, and the fact that rents have almost TREBLED in the last 6 years, then I don't actually know how some of them continue to trade.
Roughly half the kiosks on the pier are run by people of retirement age, who are working there simply to top up their pension.
To be more certain of this, you can look at the websites of local or national gift wholesale companies to see the cost prices.
When you add on VAT, and delivery charges. you need to add on some profit margin to cover all costs.
I know one thing for sure, for the hassle and pilferage that they have to contend with, for the colossal rents they have been saddled with and hard work they put in.... I CERTAINLY would NOT do what they do, for the money they make.
Another indicator of whether the kiosks are 'viable', is the fact that roughly 75% of them are not what they were 6 years ago.
I don't feel like I have been on here long, but I am now one of the 'Elder Statesmen'
Many of the kiosks have been 4 different things in the last 6 years, as people think they can make a go of it, and then fall by the wayside when the grim reality hits.
Some wise words which were imparted to me when I first enquired about taking a shop on the pier; 'If you work hard and really put the hours in, you can make a living, but you cannot and will not make a fortune'
Those words are more true now than ever.
Another thing that is proving to be true, you cannot even make a 'proper' living unless you have someone to help and support you... and I am lucky to have other sources of income. THAT is a must.
Feel free to ask for any more on this subject..... and stay out of Poundland!