Tartan Gift Shop closing

[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.

[TheKiltedWonder]

Is that just the VAT? They're the first ones I've seen that list it seperately so I interpreted it my way. But yeah that makes sense.
And don't worry, I know all about the VAT and Europe's taxes. I've been on student exchanges to Germany a few times and I tried getting a work permit in Sweden. You wanna talk about taxes?

[Galician]

Is that just the VAT? They're the first ones I've seen that list it seperately so I interpreted it my way. But yeah that makes sense.
And don't worry, I know all about the VAT and Europe's taxes. I've been on student exchanges to Germany a few times and I tried getting a work permit in Sweden. You wanna talk about taxes?

If I did, that'd be soooo off thread!!!

[TheKiltedWonder]

Sorry, meant that humorously on account of Sweden's high tax rates.

To bring this somewhat back to the thread:
This shop is closing because of a changing marketplace. Whether it's from competition from outfits like the Gold Bros and/or from the comparatively strong pound, the shop's kilt orders declined rapidly. But does anyone know what some of the smaller shops with quality items are doing to survive? I'm just wondering, because I'm sure bigger outfits won't have to worry as much; they can weather a sales slump a lot better than a small shop.
I just was wondering if anyone's heard of any new strategies that smaller shops are taking to stay in business. Founding pipe-bands to get new clients, perhaps?

[Galician]

Sorry, meant that humorously on account of Sweden's high tax rates.

My turn to be sorry, so did I.

As to your other point, ARE there larger shops? It seems that the quality kiltmakers are, to a degree, still Mom-and-Pop operations, even when they're as big as GT/TFCK. I think that the real loss people here are lamenting is that each closing represents the loss of a talented practioner of the art of kiltmaking.

[Scotus]

I hope I didn't give the impression that a lot of these small kilt places are closing. I wouldn't say this is necessarily the case. I think many kilt makers are doing quite well, since there is a demand for good, traditional kilts. I only brought this case up because I got my very first kilt and sporran from this shop, I've spoken with Graeme a couple of times when visiting, and was sorry to see his kilt shop will no longer be around the next time I go to Edinburgh. I just don't think we should assume that there is a rash of kilt shop closings, unless someone knows something I don't. His was a small shop (with wonderful kilts, BTW), on a very busy street, with lots of shops selling not-so-wonderful items.

The reason I found out this information is because I was going to suggest to the person in this section of the forum, who is looking for a Black Watch 8 yd. in the U.K., go to him. When I went to search for the address... alas.... I found that article.

[TheKiltedWonder]

Ah ok. Well it is really sad when a small shop can't make it. Hope his is the exception (unfortunately) rather than the rule.

[Galician]

I would ask if there are many shops with the history of his. Even if his were the only one, part of the sadness is the loss of that historical connection.

[Scotus]

part of the sadness is the loss of that historical connection.

I agree, especially considering that the place was about 120 years old.