ARCHIVED FORUM -- March 2012 to February 2022READ ONLY FORUM
This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
Look at this interesting article:
http://beophile.com/?p=20538
Tue Mantoni denies that declining B&O sales are due to the fact that B&O has had the wrong products on the shelves. However, the decrease in sales all relate to the fact that stores are old-fashioned.
I am not agree totally with him. Lot of Bang & Olufsen's products are old too.
Launching 2 or 3 new products /year is not enough our day !
Hi
He is not completely wrong. The stores are really old fashioned and most of them are waiting that the customer makes all the stuff (lack of dynamism, of information, of skills).
Whatever the product you have to sell, if your salesforce is weak you are dead.
4 beolab 5, beolab 9, beolab 10, beolab 5000, beolab 8000 mk2, beolab 6002, beolab 3500, beovision 7 55 mk2, 2 beovision 11 46 mk4, beotime, beosound ouverture, beosound essence, beoplay A8, beomaster 900 RG de luxe and the collection continues...
For sure, Bang & Olufsen should more concentrate on the salesforce technic as the design of stores which look nice.
Apple stores are hardly the epitome of technology, with row after row of wooden tables.
Having desirable up to date goods, festooned upon them is what drives people into shop. Their staff are very well trained and are knowledgeable, but no more so than most B&O stores I visit(Harrods excluded)
When I was in retail we had some excellent point of sale material. Empty a box of newly arrived goods into a basket, and people were around it like flies.
Just throwing money at the stores cosmetic appearance or yet another glossy mag which may never seen by the general public, is just shuffling the deck chairs.
Killer desirable products, that are up to date and regularly updated whilst being a little more affordable, is not only the future but somewhat the past isn't it?
Beosound Stage, Beovision 8-40, Beolit 20, Beosound Explore.
BeoBoy68: For sure, Bang & Olufsen should more concentrate on the salesforce technic as the design of stores which look nice.
No need to embolden text to emphasise an entire sentence.
I don't think the stores are as dated as people are making out. Bath's Sony Centre store is hardly revolutionary. The highly-popular independent store Moss of Bath is arguably as bland as the local B&O store. Indeed, the local B&O store has more attractive window displays.
The reason sales are poor/dropping is more to do with the general (increasing pricing) and the fact the likes of Stuff magazine adds a jibe about pricing every time they feature a B&O product in their news section! That doesn't help - it just reinforces the fact B&O's pricing is luxurious and is likely to put up a barrier for potential customers to venture in to the store.
“It is necessary to get something done with stores now. At the moment it’s almost like stepping into a museum when the consumer goes into a B&O store and it would does definitely something for sales. So if B&O’s new product launches are going to be truly maximised, it is of paramount importance that they are presented in the right environment “says Søren Løntoft Hansen."
- is another quote from the article.
Of cource we need all three things:
1: New products
2: New - not museal - environments for these
3: A technical skilled and enthusiastic personal in the shops.
For some people and for some products the priority (of 2 and 3) may vary - but we surely need all three components.
And it might be wise of B&O to think about how the 'BeoStores' could 'be helped' to speed up the process of modernizing the shops.
The question is 'how to help'? This might be very different for different stores in different locations.
The need for such individual solutions could be the reson for the 'vague anwer' from the CEO to this question.
The new (and coming) products in old-fashioned stores won't increase sales, so it has to be done quick.
Greetings Millemissen
There is a tv - and there is a BV
Millemissen:The need for such individual solutions could be the reson for the 'vague anwer' from the CEO to this question.
According to what Moxxey told about UK stores, the situation is absolutely not the case in France.They are often too small and the products are displayed in a inappropriate way for a good listening.
And I am always very disappointed when I discover how their knowledge about the actual and past goods are poor.
In 1996 the stores in the US featured peach colored walls, cherry wood product displays. and old lady art prints on the wall. It was not the store that drove a dramatic increase in sales that year. It was the launch of a single product that people lined up to purchase. The Beosound 9000.
The product is always the hero! The Apple stores work because when you walk in the doors all you see are the products. The store is the background. Apple uses dramatic architecture for the outside to act as the carrot that pulls you into the shop to do what? To buy the products inside that are simply displayed and easy to interact with.
I have seen many award winning retail store designs all go out of business because they made the store more important than the product.
What was the last B&O product you saw customers lined up to purchase. I think it was the Beocom 6000 in the US? That was 1999.
Tonker:Apple stores are hardly the epitome of technology, with row after row of wooden tables. Having desirable up to date goods, festooned upon them is what drives people into shop. Their staff are very well trained and m knowledgeable, but no more so than most B&O stores I visit(Harrods excluded) When I was in retail we had for the time so excellent point of sale material. Empty a box of newly arrived goods into a basket and people were around it like flies. Just throwing money at the stores cosmetic appearance or yet another glossy mag which may never seen by the general public, is just shuffling the deck chairs. Killer desirable products, that are up to date and regularly updated whilst being a little more affordable, is not only the future but somewhat the past isn't it? Beovision 11-46, Beovision 8-26, Beovision 3-32, Avant RF 28, Beosound 8, Beocom 2, Beotime, a shed load of A8's and Form 2's. Beo 4's and a 6.
Millemissen:“It is necessary to get something done with stores now. At the moment it’s almost like stepping into a museum when the consumer goes into a B&O store and it would does definitely something for sales. So if B&O’s new product launches are going to be truly maximised, it is of paramount importance that they are presented in the right environment “ says Søren Løntoft Hansen." - is another quote from the article. Of cource we need all three things: 1: New products 2: New - not museal - environments for these 3: A technical skilled and enthusiastic personal in the shops. For some people and for some products the priority (of 2 and 3) may vary - but we surely need all three components. And it might be wise of B&O to think about how the 'BeoStores' could 'be helped' to speed up the process of modernizing the shops. The question is 'how to help'? This might be very different for different stores in different locations. The need for such individual solutions could be the reson for the 'vague anwer' from the CEO to this question. The new (and coming) products in old-fashioned stores won't increase sales, so it has to be done quick. Greetings Millemissen There is a tv - and there is a BV.
moxxey: The reason sales are poor/dropping is more to do with the general (increasing pricing) and the fact the likes of Stuff magazine adds a jibe about pricing every time they feature a B&O product in their news section! That doesn't help - it just reinforces the fact B&O's pricing is luxurious and is likely to put up a barrier for potential customers to venture in to the store.
Agree with the first bit (although in some cases "ludicrous" could be quietly easily used instead of "luxurious"). I don't however believe that anything Stuff or T3 have to say has any influence on the number of customers through the doors of B&O stores - in fact getting pictures of products out and about the t'interweb gives probably more product awareness than they've ever had, compared to, a few years back, having to be on first name terms with the store owner in order to even get a brochure!!
I've said before that I think B&O "shackle" themselves to the "lifestyle" moniker, I find it a somewhat '80's term/concept and it has driven their store designs/layout far too much. They should alter their mindset to "AV product manufacturer" and bring the products to the fore - make it more of a shop than a gallery and who knows, they may actually attract shoppers/customers rather than eternally waiting for no-show people to enter, nod sagely and then leave.
In most stores the furniture takes up more space than the product displays! - they could probably sell more sofas than TV's!!
Oh, and while I'm on, the website still sucks, far too much scrolling about to read too little content of any substance.
Ban boring signatures!
Puncher: Agree with the first bit (although in some cases "ludicrous" could be quietly easily used instead of "luxurious"). I don't however believe that anything Stuff or T3 have to say has any influence on the number of customers through the doors of B&O stores
Agree with the first bit (although in some cases "ludicrous" could be quietly easily used instead of "luxurious"). I don't however believe that anything Stuff or T3 have to say has any influence on the number of customers through the doors of B&O stores
No, but it also affects sales, which goes hand in hand with the article, above. Whether they buy from BeoPlay.com or a store, it doesn't help with two of the top two consumer tech titles regularly promote the latest B&O product, along with a jibe about how you need a second mortgage - or be a bit mad, or a combination of both - to consider buying it.
Personally speaking, I don't think the B&O stores are too bad. I'm a big Apple fan, love the products, but I don't like Apple stores. I know a lot of people who completely dislike Apple stores. Why? They are packed and full of kids, students and even whinos browsing the internet, checking Facebook and so on. Some of the stores, during some of the day, are too busy to be enjoyable. You often can't get served if you walk in to a store. I'm not a fan of the store design, either.
You know, without sounding aloof and above my station, one of the reasons I pay top dollar for B&O products, for elusive watches, for decent clothes, is because I don't want to hang around with the kids and the whinos, just to get a quick question answered about a product.
At the moment the stores suck, the products suck, the marketing REALLY sucks.
People want technical information in their marketing material, and decent products to buy.
Oh, by the way, for most products the pricing sucks.
Imagine if B&O released and properly marketed products like the below? Still at a premium, but not ridiculous price.
http://www.kef.com/html/gb/showroom/vseries/v300/overview/index.html
http://www.kef.com/html/gb/showroom/home_theatre_speakers/ESeries/overview/
http://www.kef.com/html/gb/showroom/flagship_hi-fi_series/blade/overview/
http://www.kef.com/html/gb/showroom/mseries/m500/m500/index.html#.Uh0cxWRARGQ
Easy to blame the dealer that can't really stand up for himself... Who gives a rat's ar$e about him?
Too long to list....
IMHO, B&O stores lose the suit!
It's 2013, not even Audemars Piguet dealers have employees with suits.
Let's relax is up a bit, no need to be so formal. People get scared by the intimidating man hanging on Facebook inside the store.
"No, but it also affects sales, which goes hand in hand with the article, above. Whether they buy from BeoPlay.com or a store, it doesn't help with two of the top two consumer tech titles regularly promote the latest B&O product, along with a jibe about how you need a second mortgage - or be a bit mad, or a combination of both - to consider buying it."
Well said, Moxxey. Reminds me of BeoWorld.
"....dealers have employees with suits."
Ever been to a danish Bang & Olufsen store?
I see no suits there these days!
moxxey: BeoBoy68: For sure, Bang & Olufsen should more concentrate on the salesforce technic as the design of stores which look nice. No need to embolden text to emphasise an entire sentence.
There is absolutely no reason to criticize someone's choice of font. It serves no purpose whatsoever. There is nothing in the posting guidelines about using a specific font such as there is with the guidelines to avoid profanity.
Beolab 28s Beolab 9s Beolab 12-3s Beolab 1s Beolab 6000s 2 pairs Beolab 4000s Beovision 7-55 Beovision 10-40 Beoplay V1 32 inch Beovision Avant 32 inch Beosound 1 (CD player) Beosound 3000 Beosound 5 Core Essence MKII Beoplay M5
moxxey: Puncher: Agree with the first bit (although in some cases "ludicrous" could be quietly easily used instead of "luxurious"). I don't however believe that anything Stuff or T3 have to say has any influence on the number of customers through the doors of B&O stores No, but it also affects sales, which goes hand in hand with the article, above. Whether they buy from BeoPlay.com or a store, it doesn't help with two of the top two consumer tech titles regularly promote the latest B&O product, along with a jibe about how you need a second mortgage - or be a bit mad, or a combination of both - to consider buying it. Personally speaking, I don't think the B&O stores are too bad. I'm a big Apple fan, love the products, but I don't like Apple stores. I know a lot of people who completely dislike Apple stores. Why? They are packed and full of kids, students and even whinos browsing the internet, checking Facebook and so on. Some of the stores, during some of the day, are too busy to be enjoyable. You often can't get served if you walk in to a store. I'm not a fan of the store design, either. You know, without sounding aloof and above my station, one of the reasons I pay top dollar for B&O products, for elusive watches, for decent clothes, is because I don't want to hang around with the kids and the whinos, just to get a quick question answered about a product.
I've only bought one thing in an actual Apple store, my first original iPhone in Fort Lauderdale back in 2007. I don't like the shop experience they offer. Might be fine for computers, but B&O? No thank you.
There is absolutely no reason to criticize someone's choice of font. +1 Razlaw
BeoBoy68: There is absolutely no reason to criticize someone's choice of font. +1 Razlaw
Razlaw can't help himself with my posts. He has 'history' with me. Funny bloke. Always makes me smile :)
Millemissen: "....dealers have employees with suits." Ever been to a danish Bang & Olufsen store? I see no suits there these days! Greetings Millemissen
I've been and you're right. But what about the rest?
I still think the least of B&O's problem would be the stores. Biggest is marketing followed by products. Tue doesn't seem to have much self-criticism.
Great products, that work well, sell themselves...
This should be the focus, then the store can be as bland as you want. Hell, why not paint them white to give a more 'gallery' effect?
x:________________________
Jonathan:Great products, that work well, sell themselves...
Thank you for this deep contribution
You're welcome.
Look up the K.I.S.S. principle
<<
Wouter
Razlaw: BeoBoy68: There is absolutely no reason to criticize someone's choice of font. +1 Razlaw
Have a look at this list from T3 which contains two B&O products, one of which is the most expensive and one about in the middle ie Beolit 12.
The Beolit review probably sums up a lot of the ignorance that keeps folk from stores.
http://www.t3.com/features/best-wireless-speakers-for-iphone
T3 write positively about the A9 in the third place.
For the conclusion about the Beolit 12 in the ninth place:
it is also the most reasonably-priced offering from a company that is long focused on squeezing the wallet.s of most proud audiophiles .
It is reality for some B&O products overpriced - like TVs.
Bang & Olufsen is for some people synonymous of luxury !
Chris Townsend:I have a relative who spends thousands of pounds on cables, earthing his amplifier and rare wooden record nibs. Ironic that he as an audiophile then turns his nose up at the likes of a Beovision. I agree though that their the last few decades their price relative to the competition has rocketed. My point is that there is a perception that B&O is exclusively for style obsessed millionaires, and don't even bother entering the shop.
Ironic that he as an audiophile then turns his nose up at the likes of a Beovision. I agree though that their the last few decades their price relative to the competition has rocketed. My point is that there is a perception that B&O is exclusively for style obsessed millionaires, and don't even bother entering the shop.
Spot on Moxxey, and why is this?
One reason is for sure the lack of technical details in their marketing. Guys like techy stuff, even if the tech is hidden. There's no way for a potential customer to get technical details, without visiting a store. And not providing tech-specs the average customer might be thinking "re-branded Philips".
Nowadays all that B&O leaves is a picture of the product for the most part in an unrealistic setting.
bayerische: One reason is for sure the lack of technical details in their marketing. Guys like techy stuff, even if the tech is hidden. There's no way for a potential customer to get technical details, without visiting a store. And not providing tech-specs the average customer might be thinking "re-branded Philips". Nowadays all that B&O leaves is a picture of the product for the most part in an unrealistic setting.
If you are interested in technical details (and sound), just read the 'Technical Sound Guide' on the B&O website - nothing hidden there.
A V1/BV11/BSys4 sure is not a "re-branded Philips" - that could become clear to anyone who reads that.
What kind of 'technical details in the marketing' do you expect?
Millemissen: bayerische: One reason is for sure the lack of technical details in their marketing. Guys like techy stuff, even if the tech is hidden. There's no way for a potential customer to get technical details, without visiting a store. And not providing tech-specs the average customer might be thinking "re-branded Philips". Nowadays all that B&O leaves is a picture of the product for the most part in an unrealistic setting. If you are interested in technical details (and sound), just read the 'Technical Sound Guide' on the B&O website - nothing hidden there. A V1/BV11/BSys4 sure is not a "re-branded Philips" - that could become clear to anyone who reads that. What kind of 'technical details in the marketing' do you expect? Greetings Millemissen
Millemissen, people are lazy, they won't actively look for information. It has to be right there served on a plate!
I'm not looking for tech info, I know the tech info, since I'm an enthusiast. I'm thinking about the other 100 million potential B&O customers that are buying new TV- and stereo sets this year.
Personally I am interested in tech specs, "since I am an enthusiast" too.
But I wouldn't bother seeing a lot of them in the adverbs of B&O.
I agree with you: "people are lazy"- mostly.
But that is just because they aren't interested in specs.
We (or rather B&O) shouldn't even think of 'serving the specs on a plate'.
Most people just want to see things work - and many are only interested in the looks.
Millemissen: Most people just want to see things work -
Most people just want to see things work -
And that you see in a magazine advert?
Millemissen: and many are only interested in the looks.
and many are only interested in the looks.
Well, perhaps of the current clientele, but what about the other ones that DO care about tech specs? (Like me) B&O really needs to broaden it's reach.