I’m usually fairly accurate in predicting if a shop will not last .. especially at big venues like a Westfield shopping centre.

Game Traders seems to be new entrant into the video game retail market and offer trade-ins of games and consoles very similar to the ultra successful EB Games.

I have not even walked into the shop and i already know they aren’t going to last.

How do i know?

There are too many staff working. Especially during week days. Last time i walked past there were 4 people working, all just behind the counter having a chat. Now i’m just guessing here, but they are all people over the age of 21 by the looks of it and if they get around $15 odd dollars and they are working all day.. thats $480 of wages gone a day. Obviously i don’t know the specifics, but regardless of when i walked past, if there are 4 staff members standing around having a chat behind the counter- they don’t all need to be there.

Anyways, just so you know my previous predictions that have come true.. unfortunately for the retailer.

Previous:

Levi’s at Garden City - During Christmas, this shop never appeared busy.
Some Tea Kiosk - This was a no brainer, it looks to have another ice tea business there- they will go also.
LED shop Garden city - An LED shop, seriously, this shop would not be viable anywhere… an LED section in an electronic shop probably isn’t even viable use of space.

Future:
Any independant retail white box computer outlet at any Shopping Centre - The whitebox computer retail industry is an extreme price-based market. I honestly don’t believe these shops can work with such overheads.

Quiznos subs everywhere…
This is one franchise that had the opportunity to do something special, but has failed miserably. There may be some that can work interstate, but in qld, they are outta here. The city one has closed, the one at logan holme has closed.. and i’ll bet the one on Creek road towards carindale will not make it to their next birthday. too many staff, not enough marketing, or innovation in getting new customers in.

Clive Peeters
Now here is a big one, this is one massive electrical retailer. All i can say is, it was based on a brilliant business model but there are not enough head kickers in the upper management to make it work. Staff don’t even appear to try any more. If someone is listening there- trim your staff, pay the good ones that are left more, and push them to sell sell sell. Even after the sell, sell them again!

This business will not make it to the end of 2007. It’s brashs all over again.