DS0406 Attitudes.Editor

My Enemy is My Friend

Since my first day on the job at Dealerscope, I’ve consistently heard this statement: The big boxes are running the independents out of town. I don’t doubt that there is truth to this statement. But someone said something to me the other day that gave me reason to pause.

William Trawick, the Executive Director of the NATM buying group was talking about years past at his group’s recent conference. Business today, he says, is good for his dealer members; everybody is up in most categories and has plans to open new stores. The memberhip of NATM is made up mostly of regional retailers, many of whom have several stores in a given area. Yes, a few, like BrandsMart, are price-driven box movers, but others have the more traditional small-store feel, too.