Over the last few years, I have frequently written and been quoted as saying, that Independent NeedleArts & Sewing Retailers can no longer just rely on the “cyclical nature of retail”

Today’s competition is different than it was in the 80’s and 90’s. Whether you are Brick & Mortar, Mail Order/Internet, a “retail show gypsy” – things have changed and while we should not discount all we have learned over the years, we also need to be thinking about what is different today.

For quite some time now, I have been researching Group Buying activities on the internet.

And recently decided to participate in one on a group that seemed to be among the most reliably run. It has been an interesting experience.

As part of that, a retailer wrote to me and asked ” are Co-Op our new competitors ”

My answer, for now, is “Maybe, but it depends”

The first thing we need to do is establish some sort of “definitions” and context.

Like art, it is not my job to “judge” whether a form of competition is valid or not. I may disagree with some of their methods, but being pretty much politically Liberatarian (not to be confused with Liberal) in my views, if that is how they choose to operate, then that is there choice. Long as thier activities do not infringe on the rights of others to choose, “fine”

From the perspective of “It Is All Just Business” my opinion is that it exists and so need to be understood and that understanding used to leverage your ability to compete.

And it is from that perspective that I will share more thoughts.