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Release Date: December 12, 2003
Category Killers and Christmas Shopping
December 12, 2003 Weymouth, Ma.
-- I grew up in a small town during the 1950’s and my
dad owned the local hardware store. It was a simpler time. Just
to give you an idea how simple, the merchandise we sold had
the price printed on the package. I was a kid in the right place
at the right time, because in addition to hardware, we sold
toys, lots of toys and I was designated chief toy inspector.
Every Christmas season, the store
basement became the ‘The Toyland Cave’. Wooden panels,
painted to look like cave walls, were set in place. Customers
browsed the latest collection of colorful toys set amid Christmas
lights, decorations and music. Santa reposed in a bright red
sleigh at the door, greeting everybody. Flexible Flyer sleds
were a hot seller.
A few seasons later, a new store
opened nearby, in a large downtown shopping area selling only
toys. This was an early category killer. It reduced our sales
enough that it was no longer worth the effort and investment
to operate The Toyland Cave. As specialty stores spread, other
traditional hardware store departments petered out. People prefer
the conveniences of a small store, but they prefer a wide product
selection more.
Time and the cumulative effect
of years of productivity have produced a bewildering array of
products. Who would have imagined a few years ago having 75
or more measuring tapes to choose from? This has occurred in
most departments, so large ‘category killer’ stores
are necessary to hold all the merchandise. The same thing has
occurred in office supplies, books and home goods. Retailing
today, requires focus and specialization. Less is more and the
‘jack of all trades’ retailer will be found only
in the picturesque towns we pass through on vacation.
Our business after over 50 years
of operation is alive and well, as a category killer. We saw
a big decline when a large home improvement store moved in,
so we took the most basic component of the hardware store online.
Bolt Depot.com now brings nuts and bolts to people all over
the country. A lady called, the day after Thanksgiving with
a list of wood screws she was giving her husband for Christmas.
That was great. It was like being in the toy business again.
My Dad really enjoyed fasteners and even paid us kids a nickel
a box for screwing the nuts on the bolts, to make it easier
for the customers. He was born in 1906 and saw a lot of things
in his time, He sure would have loved to be part of these exciting
times and new ways of doing business.
For more information on fasteners, visit us on the web at www.boltdepot.com
Contact
Jordan Cazeault
Bolt Depot
286 Bridge St.
North Weymouth, MA. 02043
1-866-337-9888
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