Market Research

I am in the process of investigating a brick and mortar storefront in my home town. I need to do market research as part of my business plan and for my Certificate in Business Management and will be asking a few questions and taking some surveys from members who have some time and energy to spare and reside in Australia or New Zealand. I'll keep it in this thread so i can find in the future.

I'm interested in feedback from people as to their past experiences with Punkin's Brew and Stilldragon Australia. Also in their future plans and views on where and how they like to shop for the products that i cover and how my service could improve.

StillDragon Australia & New Zealand - Your StillDragon® Distributor for Australia & New Zealand

Comments

  • Count me in punkin. I've been know to fill out a questionnaire or two :)

  • I'm interested in feedback from people as to their past experiences with Punkin's Brew and Stilldragon Australia. Also in their future plans and views on where and how they like to shop for the products that i cover and how my service could improve.

    How about some feedback on this? i know you have been one of my best customers, so have had a lot of contact with me in that role.

    StillDragon Australia & New Zealand - Your StillDragon® Distributor for Australia & New Zealand

  • You can count me in, as a new user who has yet to make a purchase from you (trying to save a few spare dollars for a decent purchase however) I have browsed the web store etc. Im glad you're doing the plan and research before even thinking about a physical traditional store, they can be a real money drainage issue for many businesses. Fadge

  • Hi punkin,

    happy to help out. Like Fadge I have my doubts on the traditional bricks & mortar vs a clicks & ship model. A compromise may be to occupy a warehouse (I recall you saying you were running short of space) and do cellar door type sales operation (not of ethanol based products!) There are quite a few cheap computer parts companies here in Sydney who do that. They primarily sell via ebay & their own web site, but operate out of a warehouse which you can go to to either buy directly or to pickup.

    one of the issues is cost increase rapidly, rent, security, insurance (workers comp, public liability, stock, fire, theft etc). If you then need staff, you have payroll tax as well. Don't forget the costs of telecommunications.

    There is a bunch more, but I'm at work, so better not skive off much more ;-)

  • Always happy to help out and or offer an opinion Punkin My experience with SD service and product has always been great! I don't know about the idea of a shop front though, apart from the costs as mentioned earlier it would make you a real easy target for the excise boys.

  • Hiring staff to keep a storefront open can be hazardous to your bottom line if they aren't trustworthy. Say goodbye to vacations too.........

  • Yes, any new venture is fraught with obstacles. Each to be addressed, assessed and reasoned out.

    Most new businesses fail because they are under funded. They simply run out of money. They don’t have the beginning inventory necessary to generate enough sales to keep the fire lit. Or they need the profits generated by the fledgling enterprise for day-to-day living expenses so growth is not possible. In business you are either growing or you are dying. There is no middle ground.

    Or they are not passionate about doing the right thing for the customer. Or, worst of all, they don’t believe in themselves or their products.

    None of the above applies to our friend, Punkin, who has steadily built a strong, viable inventory – and not just of SD products but also beer brewing equipment and supplies. No one is better at explaining the process of brewing and distilling to a customer – be it by brick or click. I strongly believe that all of his customers in all of Australia and New Zealand – and especially in his community - will benefit by his decision to finally ‘go legit’. Many opportunities have surely escaped him because of his desire to fly beneath the radar but now he can openly flail his arms about and shout, “Here I Am!!!”

    Long hours? Yes. Hard work? Yes. Instant success? No.

    Few businesses survive their first year for the reasons above. Our friend has opted to work for himself instead of a non-caring employer. It’s a leap of faith founded on bringing a thriving hobby business out into the open.

    I wish him every success, and truthfully, I’m a bit jealous because I know the hardships ahead of him but I also know the joy of accomplishment.

    I would encourage every Australian to make the pilgrimage to enjoy a genuine Punkin’s Brew.

  • Lloyd has mentioned you going "legit" does this mean you are applying for a license? :)>-

  • For me I onl shop via the net but if I lived down the road I would drop by and talk shop no doubt I would think you would need to expand your inventory to all facets of home brew including kit beers but if you direct your inventory to the more specialised products eg. , all grain beer and fittings parts etc I don't see it being a problem I'm far from an expert in this area and would think a lot of research would need to be done before making the plunge You have to be in it to win it It's people in life that take the risks that eventually see progress

  • @what said: Lloyd has mentioned you going "legit" does this mean you are applying for a license? :)>-

    Yes, i have spoken to the licensing sargeant as to what i'll require to have a 'producers licence' so i can offer samples of my brew to start with and i'll see what comes of that from there.

    I intend to have a single person operation (with help from the missus) with the possible help of a part time bookkeeper. I have thought of the warehouse idea, and it may well be that in the future i will be able to do that and regain the flexibility i now possess, but for a couple of years while building the business i would like to take advantage of passing trade.

    I may well split the business at some stage and sell off the shop or just convert the space to warehouse (it's over 80 sq m)

    StillDragon Australia & New Zealand - Your StillDragon® Distributor for Australia & New Zealand

  • You gonna call it Punkin's Doughnuts, Brewing and Distilling INC. *-:)

  • Business name is already registered. Punkin's Brew

    StillDragon Australia & New Zealand - Your StillDragon® Distributor for Australia & New Zealand

  • i thought Punkin's Doughnuts was catchy....

  • @FullySilenced said: i thought Punkin's Doughnuts was catchy....

    Now how are you going to keep the cops from lining up in front of the store with a name like Punkin Doughnuts? :))

Sign In or Register to comment.