JJB Sports on the ropes 8th October 2012 1:38 PM
“Yes, local parking is key. Once upon a time councils saw this as a way to get some extra cash, but it is now back firing badly, as what they gain in parking there have lost many times over in loss of business rates from empty retail units.
Believe it or not, Surrey was going to 'equalise' all villages/towns by insisting on no more 'free parking' in any shopping location! It was over turned by public outrage. They should be doing the reverse, creating MORE free parking, in our local town they needlessly painted yellow lines (no obstruction or issues where they did) just to force people into the paid bays. Free parking does need to be limited to a couple of hours or 4 hours, in most places though to stop hogging by rail commuters and local office workers.”
Believe it or not, Surrey was going to 'equalise' all villages/towns by insisting on no more 'free parking' in any shopping location! It was over turned by public outrage. They should be doing the reverse, creating MORE free parking, in our local town they needlessly painted yellow lines (no obstruction or issues where they did) just to force people into the paid bays. Free parking does need to be limited to a couple of hours or 4 hours, in most places though to stop hogging by rail commuters and local office workers.”
I doubt free parking would have helped JJB though, as the majority of their stores are based on retail parks where parking is free.
With JJB, it was more a case of they didn't have a market and didn't know where to go with the brand.
JD have captured the designer sports gear market, Sports Direct are totally dominant in the cheap sports gear market. JJB tried to fit in the middle, but failed badly. They didn't have the prices to beat SD and they didn't have the trends or the designer name of JD. They where looked upon as a bit of an inbetweener that no self respecting teenager would visit, and with prices no one with any sense would pay as they would go to SD.
They couldn't win.
Unfortunately, the few remaining stores did well in the closing down sales. As there prices where so reduced, it became interesting.
I have to say, I visited, and picked up a golf bag for less than half price. If it wasn't on sale, i'd have gone to SD.