New Marshall Music megastore opening soon - is the biz really that big?

Jack-Flash-Jr

So I popped into Builders Warehouse in Constantiaberg (near Muizenberg for fishing villagers, south of Cape Town for others) and lo-and-behold an industrial size Marshall Music is nigh to opening its doors... (there's been no ads or anything, nor is there any opening date posted on the doors, only a bunch of fellars unpacking boxes of awesomeness). I spent a few minutes squinting at the guitars on the back wall, leaving a nose print and evidence of heavy breathing...
GAS taps on.
But then I wondered how mega retailers like this expand... I have a fair amount of disposable income and I'm not shy to treat myself every now and then but are there really that many folks out there spending mega bucks on equipment? Are strings and cymbal polish keeping these guys in business? Does Cape Town really need so many huge stores? And are small retailers in the vicinity going to cope? Is Marshall Music hoping to tap into the drum circle culture beyond the Lentil Curtain?

infernox

Bugger yoU!!! its in capetown again! CRAP!!!!!! >☹

singemonkey

infernox wrote: Bugger yoU!!! its in capetown again! CRAP!!!!!! >☹

Yay! ?

inflames

That is super news!!!

I love opening specials, need to start saving!

Do you have a address?

aubs1

Jack Flash Jr wrote: .....But then I wondered how mega retailers like this expand... I have a fair amount of disposable income and I'm not shy to treat myself every now and then but are there really that many folks out there spending mega bucks on equipment?

That was the first thought that went through my head as I read your post, JFJ........... so are we (South Africans) gonna have Gibsons, PRSs, and all sorts of other "goodies" available, "a phone call away", (yep, I'm in JHB, not that this is a problem). Or are they gonna stock tons and tons of cheap imports from China, etc. Just a thought. Hope not!

Keep us in the loop, the opening, etc............

BTW.........Awesome new avatar........

Jack-Flash-Jr

inflames wrote: That is super news!!!

I love opening specials, need to start saving!

Do you have a address?

Yep:
Cnr Main Rd and Bark Street
Retreat
Cape Town

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=S34.071500%20E18.457698&ie=UTF8&output=embed

@ infernox: it's cause Cape Town's just like man shoo wow... ... but actually given there's a Bothners on every corner as well, I'm not sure why...

@ aubs: one of my favourites: Interviewer asks Jimi "what time do you get up in the morning?" Jimi replies with that great smile "well... I try to get up in the morning"

Bob-Dubery

Jack Flash Jr wrote: But then I wondered how mega retailers like this expand... I have a fair amount of disposable income and I'm not shy to treat myself every now and then but are there really that many folks out there spending mega bucks on equipment? Are strings and cymbal polish keeping these guys in business? Does Cape Town really need so many huge stores? And are small retailers in the vicinity going to cope? Is Marshall Music hoping to tap into the drum circle culture beyond the Lentil Curtain?

My guess: It costs them as much to open up this store as it does to warehouse their stock. So let the space you're hiring for warehousing go, move it to the new store. It costs about the same but you have a sales opportunity as well.

Jack-Flash-Jr

X-rated Bob wrote:
Jack Flash Jr wrote: But then I wondered how mega retailers like this expand... I have a fair amount of disposable income and I'm not shy to treat myself every now and then but are there really that many folks out there spending mega bucks on equipment? Are strings and cymbal polish keeping these guys in business? Does Cape Town really need so many huge stores? And are small retailers in the vicinity going to cope? Is Marshall Music hoping to tap into the drum circle culture beyond the Lentil Curtain?
My guess: It costs them as much to open up this store as it does to warehouse their stock. So let the space you're hiring for warehousing go, move it to the new store. It costs about the same but you have a sales opportunity as well.

I think you're right... it's an industrial park of sorts (albeit a nicer one) and I noticed that the store depth leaves a LOT of room behind... yep.

shadow1

Well relative to what people buy pedals etc. on the net. I think the local music stores are doing DAMN well ?

My opinion is that there mark up is no less than 40% so thats a pretty large margin...it grinds me that my buddy overseas pays next to nothing for his gear. I was stoked when Marshall first opened in CAPE TOWN because i thought some competition would be good for local pricing but it doesnt seem that way...so even some products available locally I try source from overseas and wait a week or so,that shouldnt be the case....

BUT i am stoked that they opening another shop, music stores are my "candy store" so much so that the x even kept me away from them ?

Tokai-SA

infernox wrote: Bugger yoU!!! its in capetown again! CRAP!!!!!! >☹

They already have a megastore in Woodmead Sandton, Johannesburg. ?

Beginning August 7 they're having a sale of all sales.

[deleted]

Tokai SA wrote:
infernox wrote: Bugger yoU!!! its in capetown again! CRAP!!!!!! >☹
They already have a megastore in Woodmead Sandton, Johannesburg. ?

Beginning August 7 they're having a sale of all sales.

Agreed - Joburg is by no means behind in the music megastore department.

aja

Tokai SA wrote:
infernox wrote: Bugger yoU!!! its in capetown again! CRAP!!!!!! >☹
They already have a megastore in Woodmead Sandton, Johannesburg. ?

Beginning August 7 they're having a sale of all sales.

Shhhht!

Don't tell anyone hehe!

infernox

Ok I need someone to phone me when it opens with special and Ill be a phone based buyer.

Im serious

Wait... whats happening on 7 august?

BMU

infernox wrote: Bugger yoU!!! its in capetown again! CRAP!!!!!! >☹

What?! Dude! You have Music Connection and two amazing branches of TOMS. MC is incredible, carrying nearly every brand known to man. (I mean they have some Framus'?? Schecters, Deans, BC Rich's... unbelievable.) And Andy's for all your PRS needs.

The Cape Town "megastores" are stocked full of Corts. And Corts. And oh yes, they have some Corts too. And on the bass side: Corts. And Cort acoustics. >☹

JHB is is BY FAR still the place to shop for guitars.

But I'm really glad Marshall Music are expanding, the downtown branch has a decent spread of brands (ESP, Ibanez, PRS, Warwick - solid stuff)

infernox

No Offence BMU... I love Cort's and im buying another.

AlanRatcliffe

I know what you mean BMU, but it seems to vary every time I go in there. The Claremont branch has a better range.

The Marshall Music in Town also has quite a good (and different) range. I'll be interested to see the new one.

BMU

Allan - yeah the N1 city branch always had only Corts, Plumstead used to have good stuff. But last two times I went to Plumstead that's only Corts too. I've pretty much written them off, to me they're now "the Cort Shop" ?

(Edit: Claremont I haven't been to in ages. Assumed it'd be more of the same.)

Just to clarify, nothing against Corts. Great value for money, some of my best friends play them. ? But hardly exciting when that's ALL that's being sold by the biggest music retail presence in the western cape.

FatBoy

I was at the plumstead branch today, there was quite a wide range as far as I can tell. Did not really go guitar shopping, but there were some kief ones

Keira-WitherKay

well make use of the megastores.......... i have found the Marshall music mega store in woodmead jhb offers me best prices on anything and can source anything even if they not the importer and still offer incredible prices ( and beat most or in my cases so far all other offers.and i do phone around no blind loyalty here.....) .............. thanks "stuart " ....... so yeah support them if they offer cheaper prices........ to me it's all about "bang for bucks"

Jack-Flash-Jr

Plumstead is definitely the most Corty, don't mind Corts but I like variety... let's see what Constantiaberg has to offer when the doors swing open.
@ Fritz: gimme a call when you're in the vicinity next time, coffee/beer and some mutual guitar appreciation!