near bankruptcy??......... i think it refers more to the USA side but i'm skeptical about canadian side too. i would assume golfsmith can go bankrupt without golftown also doing so. but not really sure - is golfsmith debt recourse to golf town?

http://golfindustrynetwork.ca/golfsm...ens-golf-town/

https://www.google.ca/#hl=en&gl=ca&t...=0&q=golf+town

Didn't read the articles but I heard they are looking for a buyer and if not then looking to file Ch. 11. They basically want to get out of unfavorable leases for many of their stores.

Hell, they have 2 stores in my area, both about a 30 minute drive away for me. There is no need for 2 stores in the area.

I think they could have half the stores they do now and then work most of their business online.

Brick and Mortar retail stores (and even banks for that matter) are going to be obsolete in the near future.

These huge companies need to study the Blockbuster model and be afraid... and adjust accordingly.

Or the Best Buy model.

Yeah here in Edmonton I think we have 4 Golftown. Big stores also just cant see them turning a profit

I'm going to say not necessarily, at least in the realm of golf equipment.

A piece of that is the fact that there will always be a desire for instant gratification and to see stuff live and in person. As awesome as getting things delivered to your door can be, buying a $500 driver sight unseen isn't exactly comfortable for a lot of people.

Also, as long as the manufacturers engage in price fixing support minimum acceptable price policies there isn't that incentive to window shop and then go home and order online like you can do for electronics. Unless of course you're willing to buy used.

That said, there is no doubt that margins are mediocre and Golfsmith's costs are too high. I've only been in a couple of their stores but they were both considerably overlarge.

Retail golf is fighting a losing battle. Lower participation and no more real innovation. Golf clubs last for years nowadays and the benefits of a new clubs are minimal.

PGA superstore is about to make a big expansion play, I don't understand it but apparently it's happening.

they just opened one near me this spring and I have goldsmiths all over the place as well. my closest golfsmith is usually pretty dead when I'm there and it is in a prime location (old rich white dude area)

nothing to do with this thread directly.

but a golftown near me (north vancouver, bc) had a bunch of new stiff shaft 3 wood and 5 wood, 19h LH for $19.99 each. cleveland, taylormade, ping and some others. models from last few years but new stock.

golf retail is funny........ golftown here in canada doesn't inspire me too much but then don't have much large competition - and online is probably about 10% as active in canada as USA. can't just buy whatever at a good price from A.ca

what i love about alot of usa retail stores i've seen is the giant used bins - golf mart and roger dunn specifically........ used bins should be good for general traffic as the stock constantly changes.

Look at retail overall in the USA it is so much better. Customer Service is better as well. In Canada your lucky if someone offers to help you

agree generally.

although golftown is always bugging you as to whether you want help... but then they aren't really that helpful in the end - with some exceptions.

online retail is amazing in the USA......... there is almost always a delivery truck around near my relatives' house in los angeles. probably every 10 minutes. and then USPS delivers many of my packages as part of regular daily mail delivery.

Were getting there I am ordering more stuff on Amazon.ca and quick delivery. Companies Like Sport Check and UnderArmour are great also.

I always amazed when I go to Vegas and the clearance outlets and how friendly and helpful folks are Its a pleasant surprise.

i agree we are getting there......... A.ca has improved alot in the last year.

i also find alot of smaller retailers from USA are really good to canada. like a low and flat shipping charge for tons of stuff (small items).

the big things with american online retail becoming accessible to canadian consumer are 1) brokerage/customs fees and duty - which you seem to pay alot on packages that you wouldn't just showing up in person at border; 2) willing to WAIT A LONG TIME. sort of like AE.com from china. so cheeep and and free shipping but massive wait times.

Saw something on TV today that Dick's is going to make a bid.

They opened one in South Orlando right in the middle of a couple large golf stores. It is always busy. I don't buy clubs - but their apparel, shoes and accessories are priced well. They do have an expansive practice/lesson/demo area. Overall a very nice setup.

Is that the Turkey Lake location?