Planning to make new cube store in UK

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Seriously though, it would be nice to have another cube store in this country so I don't have to wait for my cubes to cross the pond.

Also, the market for the stickerless versions of the top cubes is pretty much open in the UK at the moment. UKCubeStore, the only other UK based shop sells only black and white cubes. Just a thought ;)

Start with the best of each puzzle type, then work from there.
 
Sounds cool, but we already have at least two online speedcubing shops based in the UK, so I'm not sure if business would be that successful. I mean, as of recently, I myself mostly buy from cheap, free-shipping places based abroad like Cubezz and AliExpress anyway.

In order to get any regular customers, you're gonna need to get ahead of the pack in some way. There are a few ways you can do this, like;

  • Try your best to get new products in your inventory as early as possible.
    UKCubeStore and Puzl do sometimes take a long time to sell new cubes and stuff, sometimes months after their release. If you make a name for yourself for usually being the first store in the UK to stock brand new stuff, it'll help a lot.
  • Sell products a little bit cheaper than the other UK-based stores
    Nuff said
  • Provide other services that other stores do not
    Try to sell supplies that are more in demand because no stores in the UK (or Europe in general- or even anywhere in the world) sell them. UKCubeStore gave themselves an edge by providing a lubing/tensioning service so you don't have to do that stuff yourself. How many other cubing stores do you know do that? Find some thing or service that can make your store unique. Custom sticker shades, for example. If someone wanted to choose their own colour scheme, they'd have to order from North America, since the only online stores that do this (to my knowledge) are the Cubicle and Cubesmith. Which can put off a lot of people because of shipping prices and waiting time. Having a store in the UK that sold custom-cut vinyl stickers in a large variety of colours would be a dream come true. For me at least.
  • Go to comps, be a part of the community, do things!
    You already mentioned perhaps going to the UK champs and setting up stall, but I just want to take a moment to hammer in the benefits of regularly going to comps, and generally being an active member of the community. Not only does selling stuff at comps give people a chance to buy stuff without shipping, and perhaps even try before they buy, but getting to know people and making friends could gain you quite a few customers who wouldn't be otherwise. People are often more willing to support and buy stuff from a friend, over some anonymous bloke on the internet they've never met before.

But those are just a few ideas. I'm no expert in marketing, so I could just be talking trash here. I'm still interested in seeing how your shop will turn out, especially if you do a few of the things I mentioned above.

Good luck!

Myachii said:
UKCubeStore, the only other UK based shop
Click to expand...

It's not the only Uk shop. There's also Puzl. And they also sell some stickerless cubes.
 
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Myachii said:
https://gyazo.com/fc094e8709018a311b274b1fe763ed55.png

Seriously though, it would be nice to have another cube store in this country so I don't have to wait for my cubes to cross the pond.

Also, the market for the stickerless versions of the top cubes is pretty much open in the UK at the moment. UKCubeStore, the only other UK based shop sells only black and white cubes. Just a thought ;)

Start with the best of each puzzle type, then work from there.
Click to expand...
Thanks for replying, I will take your advice and use it. I have made some of the website so as soon as i get some people who are definitely going to buy something i will start the company. :)
 
SerpentineCubes said:
I am creating a cube store called SerpentineCubeStore and it will be based in the UK. I can't launch the store website or get any stock without knowing I will have any orders. I need anyone who is interested to comment and say which cube they would like to buy. (It could be ANY cube and I will get a price for you) You will have to pay for shipping but most UK sites have similar shipping charges. I was also thinking about taking some cubes to UK Championships 2015 if anyone wants me to. There will be worldwide shipping for non UK customers but I expect most potential buyers will be in the UK. Thank you for reading and comment if you are interested!
Click to expand...

I would be willing to pay about £7 for a JieYun, and £9 for a MeiYing. But i am not necessarily placing an order, but I probably would eventually. I can help you with working out a catalogue/prices if you want.
 
illius said:
I would be willing to pay about £7 for a JieYun, and £9 for a MeiYing. But i am not necessarily placing an order, but I probably would eventually. I can help you with working out a catalogue/prices if you want.
Click to expand...

The Jieyun would be difficult to get hold of but the Meiying would be good. also thanks everyone for being so positive! you've all been so helpful!
 
SerpentineCubes said:
Would anyone want the QiYi Pyra? It would probably be £10? Maybe 9 if that is too much for everyone but since it's new would that sort of price be good?
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I'm not interested myself, but getting just-released puzzles is a good idea. It means people may order from your shop to get the cube earlier than they would have had they have ordered from elsewhere.
 
Just thought of something no existing store in the UK sells- big cubes above 7x7! Actually, I think Puzl sells the V-Cube 8, but all reviews and first-hand accounts seem to tell me that they suck compared to Shengshou 8x8s.

So yeah, Shengshou 8x8, 9x9 & 10x10s? Just an idea. Might be a risk to stock since these puzzles can be expensive, and they aren't offical events. Though I was planning on getting at least one of these at some point before the end of the year, so yeah.
 
Tyler Comfy Hat said:
Just thought of something no existing store in the UK sells- big cubes above 7x7! Actually, I think Puzl sells the V-Cube 8, but all reviews and first-hand accounts seem to tell me that they suck compared to Shengshou 8x8s.

So yeah, Shengshou 8x8, 9x9 & 10x10s? Just an idea. Might be a risk to stock since these puzzles can be expensive, and they aren't offical events. Though I was planning on getting at least one of these at some point before the end of the year, so yeah.
Click to expand...

Thanks so much! That is definitely a thing i will try then!
 
Tyler Comfy Hat said:
Sweet! What kind of price range would you sell them in though? Not too overpriced I hope...
Click to expand...
I would try to sell them as cheaply as possible but it would maybe be around £50 for a 9x9? I could try and find them cheaper elsewhere if that's too much. Also I wouldn't keep a stock of these as they are too expensive and if nobody bought them then I would have lost a fair bit of money.
 
OrigamiCuber1 said:
Please go ahead with this. It would be nice if you did cube companies that UKCubeStore doesn't do e.g. Cyclone Boys as more choice would be nice.


Can you expand on this?
Click to expand...
Sure; I haven't got a lot of time atm to expand fully, but generally stores hold stock, no?
Some level of investment and risk are part and parcel of running a business.
 
I understand that they may be relatively slow-moving.
You wouldn't consider holding say one of each to give your store more credibility? Especially if (one of?) your USP(s) is that you can turn round orders quickly in the UK?
It seems that you have already discovered some demand in this very thread.
 
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