Ask a quick question, get an answer

[bjmcgeever]

You clearly didn't understand the context. A customer that goes in to try on clothing with no intention to buy is costing the business money. You're wasting the time of the sales person and you're taking your business elsewhere. Everything has a cost attached to it.

So is your argument that no customer should ever go into a store without a prior decision to purchase an item?

[JGL]

You clearly didn't understand the context.

I assure you I did. I think you're cost analysis is off.

[imliuwhoru]

I assure you I did. I think you're cost analysis is off.

No, he's actually quite right. What he refers to is called "showrooming". The purpose of a B&M store is to generate sales and revenue for a retailer. They aren't there to act as a showroom for specific items so that a consumer can try them out before going online to find a better deal. It may be a structural problem with how retail is run these days, but that doesn't mean retailers aren't losing money from this happening. YOUR cost analysis is wrong.

[JGL]

YOUR cost analysis is wrong.

Incorrect. The act of trying things on doesn't usually cost a B&M retailer anything.

[imliuwhoru]

Incorrect. The act of trying things on doesn't usually cost a B&M retailer anything.

So rent, inventory costs, the shipping costs to get inventory, associates manning a store, and utilities don't cost a B&M retailer anything. LOL GOOD ONE BRO. If you walk into a store and the lights are on, if someone is there to greet you, and the inventory is actually there, there is a very real cost of you walking in and trying things on.

[Vic]

Would it not be the case the those operating costs would still have to be paid regardless of whether a customer walked into a brick and mortar store or not?

Regards,
Vic

[Aaron P.]

What you are describing is called "overhead", something that you as a customer have almost zero impact upon. The only way as customer going into a store and trying on garments within it is going to "cost" a retailer money is if the customer walks out with clothes they didn't pay for.

[Marc999]

What you are describing is called "overhead", something that you as a customer have almost zero impact upon. The only way as customer going into a store and trying on garments within it is going to "cost" a retailer money is if the customer walks out with clothes they didn't pay for.

Completely agreed. Fixed overhead exists and remains constant if the store is a ghost town, if it's crowded an no one buys, if it's crowded and everyone buys, and every other scenario.

[imliuwhoru]

What you are describing is called "overhead", something that you as a customer have almost zero impact upon. The only way as customer going into a store and trying on garments within it is going to "cost" a retailer money is if the customer walks out with clothes they didn't pay for.

Rent and utilities may be considered overhead. Number of employees staffed and inventory costs (shipment costs/upkeep costs/replacement costs of damaged items from customers trying them on) are not overhead and are not fixed costs.

"Showrooming can be costly to retailers, not only in terms of the loss of the sale, but also due to damage caused to the store's floor samples of a product through constant examination from consumers.

Showrooming[4] was said to be behind the collapse of UK photography chain Jessops,[5] and Target’s decision to discontinue carrying the Amazon Kindle.[1]"

I know wikipedia isn't a great source, but I can assure you clothes can be ruined/damaged by people trying them on.

[Marc999]

Rent and utilities may be considered overhead. Number of employees staffed and inventory costs (shipment costs/upkeep costs/replacement costs of damaged items from customers trying them on) are not overhead and are not fixed costs.

"Showrooming can be costly to retailers, not only in terms of the loss of the sale, but also due to damage caused to the store's floor samples of a product through constant examination from consumers.

Showrooming[4] was said to be behind the collapse of UK photography chain Jessops,[5] and Target’s decision to discontinue carrying the Amazon Kindle.[1]"

I know wikipedia isn't a great source, but I can assure you clothes can be ruined/damaged by people trying them on.

Just for the sake of argument, labor can be considered fixed. Salary workers (managers in retail) are a fixed expense, as no matter how many hours they work, the expense remains the same. Additionally, if a store is allotted $X in wages per week, that allotment will not be surpassed, resulting in a fixed expense with a potential residual "savings" at year-end. Just like certain inventory can be fixed (i.e. X number jackets sent to a store - once they're out, they're out and customers must go to another location or online). Or a "limited run" is produced to heighten demand and set inventory at a known amount. When it comes to accounting, a lot can be "played with" depending on how the company wants the numbers to be displayed or treated for tax / business purposes. Again, I'm just arguing for the sake of it, noting that neither of us are necessarily wrong.

[dvg]

Best place for cheap slim fit chinos?

[LosRockets]

[MENTION=3822]dvg[/MENTION] - J Crew on sale (urban slim/bowery slim) for quality chinos at around $20-30

[BrandonD]

What to do with suit jackets after the pants fall apart

I bought a few Brooks Brothers suits for work about 5 years ago. The jackets are still in great shape, but the pants are getting a bit worn. When I have to get rid of the pants, do you have any suggestions for what to do with the jackets? Leave as is? Add suede elbow patches? Something else? Thanks.

[Jshackleford]

I bought a few Brooks Brothers suits for work about 5 years ago. The jackets are still in great shape, but the pants are getting a bit worn. When I have to get rid of the pants, do you have any suggestions for what to do with the jackets? Leave as is? Add suede elbow patches? Something else? Thanks.

It depends on the fabric/weave, if it's a plain weave suit and the jacket is obviously a suit jacket, donate them? If not, then that could work, or even a simple button swap.

[LesserBlackDog]

Also depends on the color and pattern... a solid navy suit jacket could pass for a navy blazer if you swap the buttons for contrasting buttons. Certain patterns, especially checks, can work as sport coats. Generally solid charcoal and anything with pinstripes won't work as well.