I say he should hire a professional who can actually conduct the research necessary to inform such a decision. (I know a guy...)
Business advice from strangers on an internet forum? Probably worth less that what you pay for it.
---------- Post added July 7th, 2015 at 07:08 PM ----------
Thank you both for your replies.
RJP, if you could PM me details of your man I will pass them on. Thanks
CptTightPants.. The gentlemen in question is the money man, I am going to be running it for him.
I have a few years under me as an instructor and shop manager so I feel confident I will be able to keep track of finances, staff, advertising, maintenance etc.. I have only worked and dove and worked in the Caribbean (Mexico, Jamaica, Bahamas), South Africa and some places in Greece (only dove here) so looking for opinions further a field with regards to opportunities other may have spotted and are willing to share.
buying a pre-setup dive shop to me is scary, i like the Chinese shop example.
This is interesting to me because it amazes me how some of these LDS owners continue to suffer from flat line growth yet don't really make a switch and actually MOVE to a more visible location. You wouldn't believe how many shops I know are in some very poor locations. I know that it is an expense but there is the obvious advantage of being visible.There is something to be said about "location, location, location". It is worth doing your best to be physically visible to new and potential customers especially if they can easily come in and be get to know your shop or scuba diving in general. It would be good if you can go the extra mile an put some thought into how you can attract near by customers and help introduce them to Scuba. This is IMO and I am not a shop owner but I feel some have become so used to having very poor walk in customers, that they forgot how to actually get new customers in the door. This is what can happen when you are used to doing the same thing the same way for so long it just becomes ingrained and change becomes difficult to them.
"You can't really expect to get any radical result unless you are prepared to take some radical moves yourself".
I agree that a good solid market research analysis on your location and objectives on shop size as well as what is your vision of what you would like the shop to be an essential first step. I would think that these two items would be vital, in order to have a good evaluation of your options for opening a new shop.
Best wishes,
Frank G
Z GEAR - Z Gear