Right. Who are the target demographic exactly? Two dozen people who turn up to a "maker event?" That cannot sustain a business.
Even most "geeks" and tech-heads don't know what they'd do with a 3D printer if they had one. They certainly need to be convinced if they're going to turn up at Radio Shack and pay to have something printed.
But regardless that is a tiny tiny market. No brick and mortar really exists just to service that group, they all want the lion's share: the general public.
you're renting retail space and hiring staff
> RadioShack is already doing this.
They're losing money at a staggering rate. They need new business which generates profit enough to cover their expensive rental and staffing costs. The they're "already doing this" argument only makes sense when it is a business that already has a profitable core, so rent is largely taken care of (e.g. Walmart). You cannot take a failing business, suggest a new very expensive pivot, and then entirely ignore how profitable it has to be so that business can actually survive.
inevitable demise
> I'm more into solutions and outside-the-box pivots, not inevitable demise kind of thinking.
I just read that as a classic "I'm an ideas man, it is up to other people to figure out if my ideas have any merit!" I'll grant it is an "out-of-the box pivot," but a solution I highly question for the reasons already outlined.
Comments
Right. Who are the target demographic exactly? Two dozen people who turn up to a "maker event?" That cannot sustain a business.
Even most "geeks" and tech-heads don't know what they'd do with a 3D printer if they had one. They certainly need to be convinced if they're going to turn up at Radio Shack and pay to have something printed.
But regardless that is a tiny tiny market. No brick and mortar really exists just to service that group, they all want the lion's share: the general public.
They're losing money at a staggering rate. They need new business which generates profit enough to cover their expensive rental and staffing costs. The they're "already doing this" argument only makes sense when it is a business that already has a profitable core, so rent is largely taken care of (e.g. Walmart). You cannot take a failing business, suggest a new very expensive pivot, and then entirely ignore how profitable it has to be so that business can actually survive.
I just read that as a classic "I'm an ideas man, it is up to other people to figure out if my ideas have any merit!" I'll grant it is an "out-of-the box pivot," but a solution I highly question for the reasons already outlined.