Do tack shops make money anymore?

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Laureltree

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Do any tack shops make money anymore?

It must be bloody hard for them - doesn't everyone buy online now? I only seem to go to tack shops for feed and emergencies. And even then, with next day delivery, I barely do that!

I wonder if they'll die out?
 
A friend of mine has a tack shop and they do a lot of sales online as well as the shop itself - they seem to be doing very well however not sure if they would be if they were a shop only!
 
I used to work in a tack shop and I don't think they did amazingly well. Most people came in for feed which doesn't have much of a mark-up and we would loose out on the odd few split bags or feed going out of date. Most customers would come in to try on riding boots, look at some tack, get a hat or body protector fitting etc then buy cheaper online. They started an online shop but still couldn't compete on prices with the big online retailers. The shop was shared with a garden machinery bit and tractor sales/repairs (owned by the same company) which probably brought in all the money!
 
stormox said:
I love browsing round tack shops- you dont get that lovely leather smell on line....
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Me too! My wallet hates it though!! Plus my local shop has a loyalty scheme... £25 voucher for every 8? stamps in a book (a stamp is for £25) problems occur when I don't quite make it to the next £25 marker so I end up buying loads of extra stuff to ensure I can get my next stamp!! Dont get me wrong, I do buy online too, but certainly for hat fitting and BPs, you can't beat a good tack shop, also for decisions... I love to not just be able to look at a selection of bridles/saddles/jods/saddle cloths etc, but to feel them, asses the quality... try things on, walk in and walk out with a bag of goodies! I'm impatient like that!!
 
A GOOD tack shop with excellent service & quality stock will do ok but I think the golden age is over & unless they can compete on line or get faithful clientele then it's very, VERY hard.

To get around those that come & try things on & then go online to buy (hats, boots & body protectors) I know of 2 methods.
1) take a £20 deposit, refunded against the purchase or if the shop can't find anything to fit.
2) Not allow the customer to try things on unassisted. The shop only do fittings & the customer isn't told what size is being put on them.
 
stormox said:
I love browsing round tack shops- you dont get that lovely leather smell on line....
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Exactly! I'm after a quality second hand show saddle for my daughters pony and Its just not the same shopping on line, takes all the fun out of it plus you never can quite tell what your getting from a photo but sadly it does seem like the local tack shop is a thing of the past 😞
 
My local tack shop has a hitching rail, we frequently see horses tied outside, and as soon as they have the right size saddle in I will be down there tying my girl to that rail too for a fitting :)

I know that they do a lot of business online, I think you have to nowadays, but they are always present at tack sales, shows, fairs, everywhere they can be seen, they are seen.

Will they die out? Like libraries and grocers, butchers, bakers (candle stick makers) etc, without very good marketing and being in the right place, and in conjunction with feed or farm stores then yes, I think it is almost inevitable sadly.
 
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I've pretty much gone back to tack shops. Sick of buying stuff on line that doesn't fit/isn't what you expected and why is it that the rug you want is on one website but they don't have the jods in your size so have 2 lots of p&p.
 
I'm making a 30 mile trip to our nearest big saddlery on Saturday with a friend for a bit of hat shopping and early xmas shopping.

I'll order online if I can't get it locally ie PE rugs thats all..

Fiona
 
I was sad to hear that a lovely tack shop near us has shut up shop and is mail order only now (Old Dairy Saddlery) but I guess it's not surprising, shops can't possibly compete on price with internet only enterprises, the overheads are not comparable
 
The only reason i buy online is that no shops stock rugs under 4ft or halters in foal etc. I still go in all the time and buy crap i do NOT need, and if i have a horse i buy in them. I never buy horsey stuff online cause 1)i want to support them 2) i want to know what its like in person 3) i can't bloody wait on things coming in post
 
I hope so, as it would be a ahame to lose them - although I might be in the minority, but we have a fair few around here. I can't think of onecthat has closed.

I try to support local tack shops where possible and things like hats and body protectors I will only buy from a shop where they can fit it - but for other things I need either brands/items they don't stock or it is more cost effective, I will buy online.

I probably do 50% in shope and 50% online - but to be honest, I'm not a huge horse related shopper these days.
 
Must be! Our local one has just expanded massively!

Mind you they have gone into the whole "Country Store" guise... so do guns, walkers, riders, general country folk you know, an abundance of tweed and wax at fairly unreasonable prices.
 
In Lincs we had some really good ones - big stocks so you could get what you needed, In West Yorkshire - nothing at all. I really need a pair of long boots but have nowhere to go to try any one (and buy them!) real shame as it's very hard to judge fit and quality on line.
They can and do make money if they offer something the internet can't - purely competing on price they clearly have no chance
 
Polos Mum said:
In Lincs we had some really good ones - big stocks so you could get what you needed, In West Yorkshire - nothing at all. I really need a pair of long boots but have nowhere to go to try any one (and buy them!) real shame as it's very hard to judge fit and quality on line.
They can and do make money if they offer something the internet can't - purely competing on price they clearly have no chance
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try rideaway nr York, or throstle nest saddlery nr Barnsley. Both have websites to view first,and both have knowlegeable staff,and good stock levels.
 
I love a good destination tack shop but has to have a café (or farm shop on the doorstep), lots of stock and staff that are interested and engaged. Aivley near Ringwood is my favourite in my area. Wadswick is the other big retailer fairly near but their service is so indifferent I've stopped going there. I really love a proper saddler but can't think of one that has a retail outlet anymore.
 
I think they must be, just moved to Wiltshire and did not realize how spolit I was where we used to live having at least 3 good tack shops plus a mole valley in a 15 min radius. Looks like nearest tack shop is 1 hr away! Only mole valley near which is no good for most things!
 
stormox said:
I love browsing round tack shops- you dont get that lovely leather smell on line....
Click to expand...

I think most people browse now just to see what they want to then go and find it online (usually far cheaper). I think tack shops must struggle, unless they have an online shop as well. I went in for a pair of Roeckl gloves the other day and on spotting the price, I know I can get them probably a tenner cheaper online (even with postage). As much as Id like to support local, in these times my pocket says otherwise. I do go there regularly for feed though.
 
skint1 said:
I was sad to hear that a lovely tack shop near us has shut up shop and is mail order only now (Old Dairy Saddlery) but I guess it's not surprising, shops can't possibly compete on price with internet only enterprises, the overheads are not comparable
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We used to drive up to Old Dairy from Bristol. We'll miss it but pleased they have at least kept the online bit going.
 
Limbo1 said:
I think they must be, just moved to Wiltshire and did not realize how spolit I was where we used to live having at least 3 good tack shops plus a mole valley in a 15 min radius. Looks like nearest tack shop is 1 hr away! Only mole valley near which is no good for most things!
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Welcome to Wiltshire what we lack in tack shops we more than make up for with Salisbury Plain - hacking nirvana!
 
Think it depends a lot on location whether they sink or stay afloat... There's nothing better than having a good look around in one but sadly all the tack stores around here have closed since Internet orders really took off. I actually don't think I have a specialist one that's close enough to be accessible by car right now (well, unless I fancy a day trip). It's a pity. I don't mind ordering online when I know the sizes and such but some things have just got to be tried on, especially when making a rather big purchase (which most things equestrian tend to be!).
 
pansymouse said:
Maybe I should bag up my bridle leather off cuts and sell them for people to sniff whilst they browse on line :D
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Love it! :lol:

I do most of my shopping online, but oddly enough I tend to buy from "real" saddlery shops that happen to have an online presence, more often than not. So the locals still have a shop to browse in. My local ones tend not to have the things I want and it's a blooming long drive to end up disappointed. My feed merchant caters for emergencies like first aid stuff, yard equipment etc. love browsing the stands at shows though.
 
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