Who can tell me, what are Maj doing that Odd's are not?

Not sure really GK,

I personally prefer Maj to my local oddbins as I tend to find their range of wine to be more greater, more diverse and often better suited to my taste

Upside to oddbins is single bottle option but tend to find that it is a bit overpriced if going down that route as focus for them is to sell 6s and upwards

How does Oddbins marketing compare ? I don't have an Oddbins store nearby, so I'm not on their follow up and catalogue lists.

Store management ? How does the advice compare ? How does their knowledge of their own stock compare ?

Do Oddbins have a tasting table ? Do they acquire special parcels ?

I prefer the format of the Majestic website. Many Oddbins stores are on the high street, buyers are unable to park and load-up outside without getting a ticket.

Many Oddbins stores are in smaller premises, therefore distribution costs are higher, depth of stock is much smaller, but admin management is similar.

High streets rents and business rates are more per square meter than retail park developments.

Oddbins were are nice smaller operation, fullfilling a role in the trade where one could buy an interesting wine, that was not stocked in high volume nationally. They acquired a certain niche and cache for this type of operation...... But when they expanded, they appeared to lose their way, and other retailers started to stock nearly as adventurously. Prices for niche wines were increased, and Oddbins were no longer thought to be of such good value.

Do we have any more points in this SWOT analysis ? I should send them my fee

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Duncan

That's exactly what I was going to say, Duncan

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tribs

I'll add one more thing that has struck me in the past. This is from my perspective as a wine newbie that has just progressed from buying a bottle or two with the weekly supermarket shopping to making a specific trip to buy wine. It's specific to Darlington but I'm guessing that layouts of both stores are similar nationwide.

Essentially, Majestic have huge pallettes of wine that you can hide behind as a customer and take your time exploring without the feeling of being watched. Oddbins, however, has all the wines around the perimeter of the store which, in my opinion anyway, gives rise to a more pressured shopping experience as you're always in view of the assistant at the till. I know it doesn't sound much but I think it makes a big difference.

Buying wine can be an intimidating experience sometimes, I reckon it's one of the big reasons why people stick to the big brands in supermarkets most of the time. Majestic seems a bit more relaxed in just letting the customer get on with it.

Aeres makes a good point, my advice would be to put them to the test and utilise their experience.

Either that or get one of these.

Anyway, most of these shop assistants wouldnt know a claret from a bordeaux.

I like what you did there

I think a lot of it is perception.

Oddbins - a high street or convenience wine store - probably more expensive.

Majestic Wine Warehouse - A wholesaler - buy in bulk, cheaper as result.

Confused vs Clever marketing?

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tribs

I've never felt comfortable in Oddbins. Whether it's the layout, the staff, the prices or the disgusting music, I don't know. Have only bought from them twice ever. Then only 3 each time.

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Four wheels move the body - 2 wheels move the soul.

Oddbins fights back.

something also on JG's wine blog

comments made by the readers sums up what we have been saying.

Unless something drastic happens I think we may see Oddbins joining Threshers

Just luuuvv that bi-label...

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Four wheels move the body - 2 wheels move the soul.

As Oddbins’ creditors prepare to vote on whether to accept the stricken off-licence operator’s Company Voluntary Arrangement proposal next week, details of the scale of the company’s debts and the companies they owe money to have begun to emerge.

A huge number of wine companies, utility companies, law firms and individuals are owed money by Oddbins, with the largest creditor being HM Revenue & Customs, which is owed over £8.6 million.

EDF Energy is owed £51,389, while retailer Halfords is owed £173,545 and software firm Gemma SPA is owed £145,800.

Hatch Mansfield is owed £309,735 – the largest sum of any wine firm on the creditor list – Chilean wine company Concha y Toro is owed £241,583, while Château Maison Lauduc Grandeau is owed £152,845.

Mentzendorff is owed £161,567; De Bortoli wines is listed as being owed £106,789; Negociants International is owed £90,153; Laurent Perrier UK is owed £89,091; Lombard & Medot is owed £87,516; Pernod Ricard is owed £89,647 and Pol Roger is owed £273,611.

The creditors meeting will take place on 31 March in London, with a 75% approval rate required to push the CVA through.

Though the wine trade is generally supportive of the proposals, and is keen to see the Oddbins brand survive and avoid administration, much will rest on the vote of HMRC.

Under the CVA proposals, creditors will receive 21 pence for every pound they are owed. However, should Oddbins end up in administration, this figure could be as low as 13p.

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mel

Crikey! What a mess.

How have they survived this far and why have all these firms allowed them so much credit?

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tribs

In other words, creditors will get kicked in the balls with either a small boot or a large boot. Take ya pick.

Do Oddys own or rent their outlets? Retail rents are killing the British high street, expect to see many more going to the wall over the next few years.

HMV & WH Smith are teetering.