wellers, hardware stores (big ones), apparel, and ironically department stores. Also toy stores, cosmetic stores, and pet stores. Plus a host of others. The stores that have gone or all but gone, are history. But let’s have a quick look at those in big trouble. I will pass on newsagents since this has been written about recently. Fortunately many newsagents are turning their backs on ‘has-beens’ in the industry and are now consulting retail experts. Opticians (the owner businesses) and the wholesalers who supply them have had it too good for too long. Not only do they now have competition from large companies started by the likes of OPSM, but they are also facing numerous online competitors. Here is an example. Frames $550, lenses $350 from the local optician. On the web – $202.50 delivered including lenses. This is for the identical frame from Oroton, but not necessarily the same lenses. The only way opticians can survive (once their old customers die on them) is to reinvent the model. Camera stores have also been written about lately. Some are in the process of taking a hard look at their businesses and there are certainly some opportunities to fight the challenges. Book stores seem pretty much doomed. Yes, there will always be a few, but even Luddites are now buying Kindles and iPads. Electronics is an interesting one. The Dick Smith model is three quarters dead, having lost the plot to both JB Hi-Fi and Jaycar. Harvey Norman is battling online guys like Kogan. And its mish mash of appliances, furniture, electronics, and whatever is looking tired. Jewellers are surviving. It is a trust thing. Also touch and feel is very important. But they need to be aware of the threat of large reputable online competition with resources that allows for huge inventory and variety. Hardware stores seem to be pretty much internet proof by virtue of the size of the items. Mind you, things like tools and chainsaws are trading very well online. Apparel is a given. People invariably want to touch, feel, try it on and take it away. But there is certainly increased online competition Including shoes which I always find a surprise. In fact in the UK, buying shoes from catalogues has been around forever and has always done reasonably well. Department stores were in the decline phase on the traditional bell curve way back in the sixties. Ironically, their breadth of range has kept, and will keep, them alive for the meantime. However, their marketshare will continue to be threatened. Is there a common thread? Undoubtedly the categories that lend themselves to online shopping are those most at risk (although newsagents do not fall into this category). But there is something else that is telling. Regardless of the category, customers will punish retailers who go stale. Every category and format must be in a continuous state of flux (in fact this applies to every business). This has always been the case, but the need to be nimble has never been so important due to the speed of change having vastly altered as a result of technology. The moment that a state of change slows or ceases is the moment that the rot sets in. Modify or croak. Stuart Bennie is a retail consultant at Impact Retailing. Email stuart@impactretailing.com.au