The Little World

My latest trip to my hobby shop was successful and I am just about to find out whether the business of house brands is a good idea.

The shop normally sells Tamiya and Ustar masking tape for scale models…both brands are excellent. In the past it has also sold off-brands that may or may not be acceptable. i have shied away from some bargain ones because the adhesive layer can come off the tape and clog up a paint layer.

Now the shop has paid for their own brand name to be put on a range of goods, including masking tape. It’s sold in all the usual sizes and for a slightly lower price. I have hopes for it as I note it is probably a Vallejo product especially packaged.

I’ve no idea if the shop pays a lower buy-in price for these goods that will translate into a better profit margin. We customers would like to see a slightly lower price on the rack. But there is a trap if the goods are not the same quality as the big brands. This could give the customers an aversion to the whole inventory…unfairly.

There is only so much unsaleable error stock any business can keep on the books before it tells on the overall performance. And customers do know, and do notice.