The cricket industry is a hard place to build a business...
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tim2000s

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The cricket industry is a hard place to build a business...
« on: September 12, 2014, 03:28:14 PM »
Following my conversations with Nick, I firmly go the impression that the cricket industry is incredibly tough. Pressure on independent sports stores from Online Retailers, obtaining exposure for brands, difficulties in breaking into the top echelons of kit sales, and of course having to set yourself up a brand and deal with the vagaries of many things outside your control, not least of which is weather. It all seems very cash heavy.

If you are a sponsor, or someone in the process of setting up a brand, what do you think? Have you found similar issues? We've seen a number of brands on here come from very small beginnings, the likes of Bulldog, H4L, BB, Aldred, B3 and Hammer, to name a few, or indeed, are a cricket retailer or specialist in other areas, and it would be great to hear your thoughts.
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Blank Bats

Re: The cricket industry is a hard place to build a business...
« Reply #1 on: September 12, 2014, 09:39:42 PM »
Tai here

The challenges are specific to your situation I guess.

I will quote my good mate Dave, "there is plenty of pie for everyone".
I think the main limiting factors for me personally to consider are cash and time. For me it's a hobby, this is not my bread and butter. As it's a hobby I enjoy it. But you do need to put the required time and effort into it to make a go of it, over time it gets easier as you develop your supplier relationships. I feel one thing that has been an advantage for me is the ability to communicate in Hindi with suppliers abroad, and being able understand the cultural differences etc.

I think you need a medium term strategy to firstly consolidate yourself / brand in your locality. This, by it's very nature will take 3/5 seasons. No point in trying to conquer the world, if you can't conquer your town.

I think small steps but firm steps is the approach.

On the outside it may appear to be glamorous but believe me it's not.

I also believe over time, the products will do the selling for you, poor quality or good quality can never be hidden as ultimately it will show itself.

Sorry for the random post.

T
« Last Edit: September 12, 2014, 09:41:13 PM by Blank Bats »
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procricket

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Re: The cricket industry is a hard place to build a business...
« Reply #2 on: September 12, 2014, 10:00:06 PM »
You need the right people doing the right jobs.

You need to either do something different yet achive the same or simply have a short medium long term aim.

Also be realistic too and understand the market and set targets accordingly.

If your selling 200 bats why would you next season sell 2000 I without changing anything.

If you do what you always do you get what you always get.

Have a USP and by that I mean a USP not some trumped up rubbish.

Forward think with progressive strategy and marketing see the small person to the big retailer the same.

Breath with passion and understand you failings and short Cummings.

Understand your  product inside out set time for questions and time for responce.

Understand you can not please everybody yet I the same breath try too.

Passion is passion understand and nurture it and in the end understand the difference between passion and business and combined the two.


Sorry about my grammer and punctuation haha

 Believe in your stuff is what I think market correctly and sell correctly.


Why is it hard because whilst it is set up as one industry there much back stabbing I say worry about you not your kin.

Share connections networks are good understand without connecting you will be singular
« Last Edit: September 12, 2014, 10:05:18 PM by procricket B3 »
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Re: The cricket industry is a hard place to build a business...
« Reply #3 on: September 16, 2014, 08:48:05 PM »
There was an article in Sports Insight this month on this, and Dave from Mongoose was quoted saying

“Still, it’s getting more and more difficult to stay ahead with new brands popping up every season and small regional brands becoming more available. Our key to success is to offer players exactly what they need, rather then telling them what they need. But it’s hard getting retailers to take us on, even though we offer great incentives for a premium product with all the bells and whistles at sub premium pricing. Retailers just tend to buy the same, traditional brands.”

Ultimately there seems to be a split market - those who sell direct. The nippy, agile, smaller brands who can undercut. Then the old big boys, who sell in stores and have their accounts who order 100s of bats. Companies like Mongoose, Puma, Adidas Spartan, Woodworm who come in and try to take a slice of that pie, really struggle - they can't compete with the prices of the smaller brands, but don't have the brand equity of the bigger ones.

For me B3 look like they are in one of the best positions. They have a good history, with their previous links to GM, have great scalability due to having all their own machinery yet they can be agile and sell their products online, whilst maintain a USP which is mass customisation of cricket bats.
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RSpall

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Re: The cricket industry is a hard place to build a business...
« Reply #4 on: September 17, 2014, 12:22:51 PM »
I'm looking to start something up myself with the few contacts I have. I can understand it's a very tough task to start a business. I have worked and run a family business in a completely different trade but you learn a lot from the people and companies you buy from.

I want to be able to have great service and help people as much as possible.

Where I am located everyone in the cricket bubble is very keen and always looking for new kit and so far I have done reasonably well. It's just getting my name out there a little and the advertisement.
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joeljonno

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Re: The cricket industry is a hard place to build a business...
« Reply #5 on: September 17, 2014, 12:42:28 PM »

Quote from: RSpall on September 17, 2014, 12:22:51 PM
I'm looking to start something up myself with the few contacts I have. I can understand it's a very tough task to start a business. I have worked and run a family business in a completely different trade but you learn a lot from the people and companies you buy from.

I want to be able to have great service and help people as much as possible.

Where I am located everyone in the cricket bubble is very keen and always looking for new kit and so far I have done reasonably well. It's just getting my name out there a little and the advertisement.

Did you say you were in Cornwall?  There is Cornish Cricket in at Austell. I had a really good chat with them, they sell general equipment as well have their own brand equipment and provide coaching options.
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GarrettJ

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Re: The cricket industry is a hard place to build a business...
« Reply #6 on: September 17, 2014, 12:47:09 PM »
Quote from: RSpall on September 17, 2014, 12:22:51 PM
I'm looking to start something up myself with the few contacts I have. I can understand it's a very tough task to start a business. I have worked and run a family business in a completely different trade but you learn a lot from the people and companies you buy from.

I want to be able to have great service and help people as much as possible.

Where I am located everyone in the cricket bubble is very keen and always looking for new kit and so far I have done reasonably well. It's just getting my name out there a little and the advertisement.

Isn't redback and Cornish cricket company in your area?
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ProCricketer1982

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Re: The cricket industry is a hard place to build a business...
« Reply #7 on: September 18, 2014, 07:16:34 PM »
I wonder if it is as hard to build a business in the trade, I'd say it's more about how you do it.. Ie are you offering genuine value or,are you tryng to make max profit etc.. I thnk there is a massive gap in the market for more 'value' retailers.. (Not SD cheap crap but cheaper big brands).. I suspect some wouldn't like the competition though :(
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GarrettJ

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Re: The cricket industry is a hard place to build a business...
« Reply #8 on: September 18, 2014, 07:52:59 PM »
Brand name goes a long way in cricket, most think your bats are from India with a sticker on if they aren't a recognised brand
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cjicricket

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Re: The cricket industry is a hard place to build a business...
« Reply #9 on: September 20, 2014, 07:50:18 PM »
I would agree anyone looking to start now its going to be hard work to make a living from it! we were lucky in starting 10 years ago, but I never account for how many hours I put in! the hard worked has paid off with 2 shops! but you have to keep thinking! dont sit back !!
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