This is the first Monday of the new year... we should still be keeping up with our "resolutions" and still working out, not smoking and only eating "healthy foods", right? Well, most of us are keeping up and some of us have fallen off the wagon.... it's not to late to start over.
This edition of MONDAYS SUCK is about the current economic status of the action sports industry... namely Skateboarding.
This was quoted from an industry business website that I like to look at.
December 30, 2008 09:02 AM
"December has been a brutal month for the industry, and for all of retailing, as several key reports released today and this week show.
It was the worst Christmas week for retailers since 1970. Consumer confidence is dropping, not reviving, as some economists predicted as recently as yesterday. And a new report predicts that 73,000 more stores will close in the next six months...."
(If you need the source of this information, send me an email and I will give you the link.)
Just based on this comment alone, you gotta wonder how in the world any businesses will last. Just the other day I saw that Applebees, here in town, closed their doors. I can name at least a handful of "local businesses" that have closed there doors in the past month or so. It sucks. They poured their heart and soul into it... and they gotta shut down.... total bummer.
Why is my blog just doom and gloom?
Well... unfortunately it is reality. Turn on the news, read a newspaper, look what's going on in the world. People are getting "downsized" and layed-off. Real Estate is in the tank. Even giant corporations are in trouble and closing down... Circuit City just closed a week and a half ago and the auto industry is looking for the government to bail them out. That alone, pisses me off... why do they get help and the little "mom and pop" stores and restaurants don't get any help?
Basically the answer to that is: if there are no big companies are around, then that means less jobs and no money to spend at the little mom and pop places.... it's deeper than that; but that's the short answer.
With that said, it is more and more difficult for the little guy to stick around. Mostly it's because there is no loyalty anymore (I'll save that topic for a different blog).
Admit it. You shop where you can get it for less... not where you know you'll get good service. Wal-mart is loving the economic woes.... people are flocking to the "cheap" guy.
Now that the rant is out of the way.
The weather should hold up great this week. So... go ride that skateboard!!!
Ride it because it's what you are.
Ride it because it's what you do.
Peace.
Chris Cole gives his props to 8 Track
Get used to seeing guys like this in PCO!
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About Me
- 8 Track Ride Skateboard Shop
- Parker's OG Core Skateboard Shop. Owned and operated by skateboarders. Skate is all we do...it's what we live and breathe and you'll see the difference.
2 comments:
I know that this is particularly not good news for you, as a skateshop owner, but I've read many articles over the past year on how the poor economy has always benefited skateboarding in general.
I'm not talking about the kids who enjoy buying $70 pairs of pants from the skatestore, I'm talking about the people who enjoy riding a piece of wood with wheels on it around. Skateboarding has always been a renegade sport. We are the people who need nothing but our skateboards and a desolated street to have a good time.
Now I'm typing from more of a longboarders perspective than a skateboarders, but I do both and they are both pieces of wood with wheels on them. The things I can see that would come out of a 'depression' would be less cars on the road (woO!), more empty pools, and people caring less about the skater punks grinding that rail and more about why they have no money.
This might not be the best news for you, but with the possible increase of popularity in skateboarding, there will always be a demand for new decks and the essentials.
-my 2 cents.
Well put. Skateboarding at it's core is just that... freedom, creativity and the opportunity to be one with your board.
As a skater, I agree with you. As a shop owner...well, there is alwasy a need for new goods. However, when people aren't spending like they used to, it makes it a little more of a gamble with the whole "stay in business" thing.
Do you stay in business because you "hope" your shop will be the exception? Or do you shut 'er down and come back again another day? Touch choices as an owner.
The skater in me says.... Screw it, I can always skate and everyone else will too. The owner in me says: get out before it totally ruins you and your family.
Which is most important to you?
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