08/01/2002
There is an awful lot being said about Dixons at the moment by financial commentators and analysts. A number of them, including the CEO of Dixons, is warning that this could be an indicator of wider problems within the economy.
I think we need to get some things inperspective not least the fact that Dixons is quite frankly a crap company. i know that is not a technical term but it is the correct one. They sell overpriced goods badly.
A few weeks ago I went into my local Currys store, part of the Dixons group, to buy a widescreen TV. I knew I could get one cheaper on the net but I wanted to actually buy one and take it home with me. I saw one I liked and asked to buy it. I was however informed that they didn't stock televisions and it would have to be ordered and delivered, no doubt this is their version of "just in time" stock control. I decided not to buy the said TV and went home and started surfing. I was able, if I chose, to buy the same TV from the Dixons Group 10% cheaper online though after some searching I was able to buy it from www.empiredirect.co.uk for 25% less including delivery.
How can Dixons expect to make money when their retail outlets don't actually stock the items people want to buy? Customers will naturally flock to other retailers. As Potter says: " I consider Dixons a showroom. I go there to see what I want to buy and then get it elsewhere."
Sadly Dixons is another example of how badly many companies in the UK are run. And to the customer who asked if I will be buying Dixons down here? There are two hopes: Bob Hope and no hope!
Harry