UKC

Snow + Rock sold

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JonC-unregistered 09 Jul 2004
Saw in the paper this am that Andrew Brownsword (founder of Forever Friends - those tacky cards and cuddly toys etc) has bought Snow + Rock. God help them and us! What's the betting the climbing section virtually disappears. And it's currently the only real gear shop in Brum would you believe...
 Rubbishy 09 Jul 2004
In reply to JonC-unregistered:

Interesting purchase. I know he has a small hotel company as well, and at the end of the day, he is an experieinced retailer so I guess there are "synergies"

woo hoo - not used that word for a while.

Lil 09 Jul 2004
In reply to JonC-unregistered:

Nooo! The guy in the Snow and Rock shop who helped me choose my first pair of climbing shoes was so lovely! I hope they don't get rid of the climbing section
 Lizard 09 Jul 2004
In reply to Lil:
Yeah- "Snow" will be a rubbish name for a shop!
OP JonC-unregistered 09 Jul 2004
In reply to John Rushby:

> he is an experieinced retailer so I guess there are "synergies"

Pardon? What, you mean snow + rock can start retailing cuddly toys in a synergetic way?

Or maybe she who cannot be named can sell her fluffy hats through S + R

> woo hoo - not used that word for a while.

As Matt would have said, you corporate whore you
OP JonC-unregistered 09 Jul 2004
In reply to Lizard:

> Yeah- "Snow" will be a rubbish name for a shop!

Don't worry - I am sure it will cater for all your outdoor needs, if you like skiing, boarding or wearing outdoor "leisure wear" of the floral print variety
OP beavis 09 Jul 2004
In reply to JonC- you said "brown sword"
 UKC News 09 Jul 2004
In reply to JonC-unregistered:

I think you might have a point - http://www.foreverfriends.co.uk/
OP JonC-unregistered 09 Jul 2004
In reply to UKC News:

I think my g/f and her sister keep them in business....

How do you fancy a new hi tech soft shell with a cuddly bear print motif?
 Stu Tyrrell 09 Jul 2004
In reply to UKC News: Dont click on that link, I warn you!

Stu
OP Karen B 09 Jul 2004
In reply to JonC-unregistered: And bristol apart from Taunton leisure but they never have anything in the shop you need and always have to order it for you. Its crap! Come back Quip U!

Karen
 Wibble Wibble 09 Jul 2004
In reply to Stu Tyrrell:
> (In reply to UKC News) Dont click on that link, I warn you!
>
> Stu

Quite right, it made me sick. Bit like when I saw that link Colski posted of the guy with a bottle up his arse. Quite reprihensible that stuff like this is allowed on the web.

Lil 09 Jul 2004
In reply to Lizard:

They could call it Snow Bears or something equally stupid like that....
 blenner 09 Jul 2004
In reply to JonC-unregistered:

Why the panic? Is it not likley that AB bought S&R as a going-concern, to continue to do what it does at the moment, and sell what it does at the moment? If there was ever a time to get into this type of retail, surely now is as good a time as any, given the large and increasing demand for these products.
 John Alcock 09 Jul 2004
In reply to blenner:
Apart from making the world's tackiest greetings cards, Brownsword owns Bath Rugby and lives in a huge mansion above the city.
richard bradley @ work 09 Jul 2004
In reply to UKC News: Have you thought of asking them to sponsor the fluffines on DTP?
OP JonC-unregistered 09 Jul 2004
In reply to blenner:

> Why the panic? Is it not likley that AB bought S&R as a going-concern, to continue to do what it does at the moment, and sell what it does at the moment?

I'm sure it was bought as a going concern but I would be surprised if he didn't try to do something with it. And, I'd be equally surprised if that didn't mean selling (even) less climbing hardware and technical eqpt. S + R have been moving away from this over the years and I rather doubt he'll reverse that trend.

> If there was ever a time to get into this type of retail, surely now is as good a time as any, given the large and increasing demand for these products.

Increasing demand for what products?
In reply to JonC-unregistered:

I see the launch of a new range of camming devices that don't suffer the 10year CE lifespan...

... called 'Forever Friends', obviously...



I'll get my fluffy bear suit...
tb 09 Jul 2004
In reply to captain paranoia:
>
> ... called 'Forever Friends', obviously...

ROFLMAO.

Seriously though I'd be surprised if they didn't go more down the trendy surf/outdoor wear route and away from climbing gear as its a pretty small, specialised market. Also with their shops tending to be in city centres I'd imagine the demand for outdoor "fashion" is far higher than the demand for climbing gear.

Guess we'll have to wait and see
 sutty 09 Jul 2004
In reply to JonC-unregistered:

If you want to see the model for selling outdoor stuff for healthy profits and not sevice look at Brighams. Bob realised 30 years ago that selling climbing hardware was a lot less profitable than selling clothing. I think R+R will agree with that, they sell stuff form a different perspective though, service and good advice being there selling point.
In reply to tb:

> Seriously though I'd be surprised if they didn't go more down the trendy surf/outdoor wear route

Already a long way down that track, surely? I mean, they sell Prada ski-wear, at £1000 for a jacket, FFS. Granted, they also sell a decent range of other (reassuringly expensive) clothing. I've only ever bought stuff in their sales.
tb 09 Jul 2004
In reply to captain paranoia:

Don't know. I've never even bothered going in. As for Ellis B... can't stand the place. Full of overpriced rubbish and staffed by a bunch of people who really don't know very much about what they are selling.
In reply to tb:

> Don't know. I've never even bothered going in

Well, I'd say it's worth going in, as they do stock some nice clothing (Patagucci, Arc'teryx, Cloudveil, MHW, Rab, Montane, etc). Especially good during their 50% sales periods.
tb 09 Jul 2004
In reply to captain paranoia:

Ta for the tip. Will look out for the next sale at Chancery Lane.

Interesting that nobody is defending Ellis b.... says it all really!
 Cliff Hanger 12 Jul 2004
In reply to Lizard:
> (In reply to Lil)
> Yeah- "Snow" will be a rubbish name for a shop!

That all depends on what they're selling!!
OP Anonymous 12 Jul 2004
I remember how Trekkit Mountain Sports went. From gear to 'oh dear' in no time. now it might as well be another branch of fat face or something
chambers 13 Jul 2004
In reply to Anonymous:

Yep. Why haven't they changed the name though. Their gear is not for treking or mountain sports.
Bobbie B 14 Jul 2004
Ta for the tip. Will look out for the next sale at Chancery Lane.
Interesting that nobody is defending Ellis b.... says it all really!

I'll defend them to my last!!
I don't know which EB shop you go into as when I visit the Covent Garden store they are very helpful and knowledgable! Yeah they don't do discounts but most of their outdoor stock is cheaper than S&R with a discount!
bobbie B 14 Jul 2004
In reply to sutty: They may have a clue on climbing but they don't half over sell on ski and snowboard. Plus they always sell you boots at least a size too big!
OP Anonymous 14 Jul 2004
In reply to JonC-unregistered: Doesn't matter, it's a shite shop!
Rob Gleeson 14 Jul 2004
In reply to Anonymous:

none of the board is changing, so it will carry on much as it always has, just better at selling stuff hopefully. Anyome who made £160 mil selling those crappy bears has to be good at retail.
Verbal1 14 Jul 2004
In reply to Rob Gleeson: Andrew Brownsword also owns Bath Rugby Club to anyone who gives a monkeys. Or cuddly toy.
Roger Grimshaw 14 Jul 2004
In reply to tb:

Ellis is one of the good guys - helped a lot of youngsters when he took charge at the first shop in Manchester and took a real interest in climbing, producing one of the first climbing harnesses (not good) and tapered nuts (good). The man is a ski bum and still gets out despite the greying locks. Sure some of the staff can't spell 'nuts', but that's the nature of the industry. Folks want cheap gear, which means cheap wages and you know what happens when you pay peanuts.

The best shops are owner operated, but that does not produce the empire - and of course the big mark ups are in clothing as non-climbers buy kit for apres ski and the pub. Twas ever thus.
 sutty 14 Jul 2004
In reply to Roger Grimshaw:

Not seen Bob, who runs the empire for a long time but think he has stopped being a good guy, he was to us in the days he was building his stores up as was his father but seems to have gone totally conmercial. Ellis looked harrassed the last time I saw him at the Capel store two years ago, and Eddie is only part time now.

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