I was perusing UKC, as I tend to do, looking for a) something that I might be able to help someone with, b) something interesting or c) something totally stupid. I often find lots of C’s, but choose not to comment now. However there was a B last time I was on there, it was referring to a lightweight 1 man tent from Agros (mum this would be a useful Birthday present!) It cost a shocking £34.
Now as someone who occasionally has to take a Mountain Leader Training courses, so has to carry there own tent. Not very PC to jump in with the group, besides it is nice to have a few hours peace. As such a single man tent is useful. However it got me thinking, in the time of crunching credit, where we all are watching the bottom line on our finances how does a specialist manufacturer or shop for that matter compete with Argos or Tesco’s for that matter.
I brought a thermos flask from Cotswolds, and it broke within a week, as the lid basically fell apart. It was a long drive to replace it. However the next time I was in Tesco’s I brought two flask for half the price I paid for the Thermos, they were probably made in the same factory. Similarly my Gelert backpack and hydration system cost way less then what I saw in Joe Browns and V12, so much so I could justify shopping in these stores that my friends own, and they certainly could justify selling there produce at a similar price.
I know that V12 stopped selling GPS units because you could buy them cheaper at the supermarket, the same is true of small bags for bouldering which can cost as little as £5, I also know of an Outdoor Centre that buys all its fleeces from Tesco because they are cheaper than they can be sourced anywhere else.
I really would love to support my local specialist businesses more but they are being seriously undercut, and I am probably in the eyes of the government on the borderline of poverty. Not that I live and impoverished life, but I work to live not live to work.