What makes a good speialist beer shop/selection?

Discussion in 'United Kingdom & Ireland' started by Robert_N, Sep 29, 2012.

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  1. Robert_N

    Robert_N Initiate (0) Apr 10, 2012 Wales

    Apologies for the spelling mistake in the title, I can't edit it now.
    So I was just hoping to get a few opinions from you guys on what you would regard as a good selection and what you like to see or would like to see from a beer shop or a beer section in a specialist off license.
    I am interested as I work in a shop and I am constantly trying to improve things, obviously I speak to customers directly, but I am just widening the net for more opinions.
    I am open to any suggestions but I am quite interested in things like..
    Is it possible to have too much variety?
    Is it worth selling stuff that the supermarkets sell, especially if it's going to be priced higher (or not in an offer) and is really ubiquitous?
    Is a constantly changing line up (with a few staples) better than a consistent line up?
    What makes a smaller specialist retailer better or worse than a supermarket or online retailer?
    How does social media and the internet come into play?
    Hope this is not too much and should make for a good discussion.
    Cheers, Rob.
     
    #1 Robert_N, Sep 29, 2012
  2. CwrwAmByth

    CwrwAmByth Grand Pooh-Bah (3,113) Jan 24, 2011 England
    Pooh-Bah

    I love a constantly changing selection, it's really nice to stumble upon a beer/brewer you've heard about but never had before. Also it makes going to the shop regularly worthwhile as you never know what you might find. Maybe ask your regulars which ones they would like to see as regular/constant staples?
     
    #2 CwrwAmByth, Sep 29, 2012
    Robert_N likes this.
  3. Ruds

    Ruds Initiate (0) Sep 15, 2008 England

    Have tasting events or simply have a bottle or two on the go every day and let folks have samples. This should keep them coming back and may lead them to buy said product.

    I wouldn't bother stocking beers easily available in a supermarket. Whenever I go to a specialist shop I'd never bother picking them because 1.) I'm focussing on bottles I can't get in a supermarket and 2.) as you allude to, they are likely to be cheaper in a supermarket. Depends on your customer base I guess?

    I'm always after trying new beers, but that doesn't apply to everyone. 50% staples, 50% changing would be a good split.

    What makes a smaller retailer better than a supermarket ? The personal touch. When I went to Bitter Virtue in Southampton a few weeks ago I had a heavily laden bag of beers (as I went by train). I was given a nice extra by the owner (as I'd spent quite a few £££) then the other owner drove my mate and I to the next pub on our crawl !!! 10/10 service.
     
    #3 Ruds, Sep 29, 2012
    EssexAleMan and Robert_N like this.
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