Was reading an interesting article the other day about how bricks-and-mortar retail is changing in reaction to online retail. Basically companies are creating (let's test my comprehension here) themed shops that don't actually sell anything. You come in, see all the products, play with them, and have no obligation to buy them. They are selling a lifestyle. You then buy the product online and have it delivered.
For example the Apple stores, or the Nespresso boutiques (main example in the article, horrible coffee IMO). You're mostly there to browse and they know that.
There was even a shop where you can browse what's inside the shop from outside, on touch screens, and then order from there, never even entering, if you don't want to.
Is this what the NP/JP vans were this summer?
P.S. Kudos to the SurfFX guys for fixing me up with some replacement parts, while I was browsing for next purchase. Hard not to in there.
This basically how the Argos chain operates in the UK, and have done for many years now.
Dunno about selling a lifestyle, but I think the NP trailer was a solution to the chronic problem of shops not being able to stock every bit of gear, and not really wanting people to demo a new board, and make it a used/second-hand board, with no profit potential.
It was also an initiative to get new people involved in the sport by offering beginner experiences.
I'd be interested to hear from Greeny or the other retailers as to the real or perceived success of the trailer.
ala Dell Computers
heavily armed thieves have been known to target a dell kiosk, and still not walk out with anything
