Tartan Gift Shop closing

[TheKiltedWonder]

And on that last note....anyone know if he's having a sale?

Ok, so now I don't have to feel so guilty. At least I wasn't the only one who thought that...

Honestly though, I wonder if the "tartan tat retailers" whom he blames are actually responsible. I honestly can't see someone with the money and inclination to buy a proper kilt from his store choosing to settle for a 20 pound acrylic kilt-approximation. It seems to me that if these shops didn't exist, then he might gain a small amount of money from tourists looking for something small to bring back, but I can't see him gaining too many more kilt orders.

I'm not saying it's not unfortunate, but what if it's not these low-end shops? What if it's the American dollar that's doing him in? On 31/10 the BBC reported that the pound had risen to it's highest point against the dollar in 26 years. With the exchange rate over two dollars a pound, I can see why Americans in Scotland would be cutting back on large expenditures. And that's the ones who actually make the trip. Plenty of other tourists who might be filling the streets of Edinburgh, buying from shops like his are staying within the US.

I dunno that's just my two cents.

[RockyR]

That is a HORRIBLE shame... I met Graham Muir when I was in Eddinburra 2 years ago and Kelly and I wandered into his shop. He was a VERY nice man with a fantastic talent. I hope he moves his shop to another region but remains in business.

[auld argonian]

In the interest of saving space, I won't quote TheKiltedWonder's above post...I always wonder how the business model works for small retailers who work in a niche market.

So one would think that, in the case of the custom woolen kilt business as it exists in the here and now, the business would be made up of regular local customers, mail order or internet generated business from outside a certain radius and the odd walk-in who just happens to be passing by and decides that he's interested in a kilt.

Of the "walk-ins" some what will be the percentage who will hear a price and think that they can make do with one of the 20£ kilts from down the block. You will get those who understand the difference and will opt for "the genuine article" because they see the value of wool versus a synthetic. I wonder what the percentages are?

There are obviously several other variables: do they do the rental/hire side of the business or do they have gift items other than kilt stuff available...etc. I wonder if there's anything in their having "off the rack" on hand...some of the proprietors might think that that would be unacceptable but I would think that it might sway the walk-in who wants to leave with a kilt and sees the value of going with a natural fiber instead of synthetic.

It's always a shame when things like this happen...the world is a little poorer for the loss of those special small businesses.

Best

AA

[RockyR]

Snip:

There are obviously several other variables: do they do the rental/hire side of the business or do they have gift items other than kilt stuff available...etc. I wonder if there's anything in their having "off the rack" on hand...some of the proprietors might think that that would be unacceptable but I would think that it might sway the walk-in who wants to leave with a kilt and sees the value of going with a natural fiber instead of synthetic.

Yes, he had LOTS of other items available... granted, it was a small shop, but he had brooches, shirts, sgian dubhs, and other "touristy" type stuff available. Kelly and I bought shirts and a Luckenbooth brooch from him while there.



Does anyone have a link to the article itself other than just the clip?

[Galician]

I agree partially with Wonder, I myself have wondered how the plummeting value of the dollar might effect Scottish artisans.

On the other hand, while I understand that a guy often can't walk into a story and plunk down a grand for a quality kilt right off the bat, I would ask how many folks would even considering saving up for one as a goal. I think that if enough men had taken that approach, the quality producers like this gentleman might be able to hold on through the tough times of the world economy at present.

[TheKiltedWonder]

I myself have wondered how the plummeting value of the dollar might effect Scottish artisans.

I noticed on this website that they offer a different price for non-UK, non-European customers.

http://www.men-in-kilts.com/montrose-kilt-package.html

I wonder how popular this approach is. It sure cuts into the profit margin, but it may make the whole package more affordable/attractive to a much larger group of people.

I just hope that shops over there stay creative to counter threats posed by the economy and the Gold Bros.

[Galician]

I noticed on this website that they offer a different price for non-UK, non-European customers.

http://www.men-in-kilts.com/montrose-kilt-package.html

I wonder how popular this approach is. It sure cuts into the profit margin, but it may make the whole package more affordable/attractive to a much larger group of people.

I just hope that shops over there stay creative to counter threats posed by the economy and the Gold Bros.

That difference in price is due to their not charging overseas customers the VAT, which is a tax commonly charged on products throughout Europe. It is in the range of 15%-20%, depending on the item. Think of that the next time you get charged 6%-8% for something here.