Clinton Cards goes into administration, with 2,800 jobs at risk and the cry goes up about the beleaguered High Street, facing online competition. It is true that Clinton's were slow out of the blocks in challenging the online start ups, but no-one seems to comment on the stores.
Firstly there are way too many of them and secondly, have you seen what they sell? In addition to a massive selection of so-so cards, they have a clutter of shelves and stands stacked with tat. When you go in and find something nice, tasteful and perhaps a little different, the shock is partly the product and partly that you didn't expect it of Clinton's.
So yes, online needs to be countered if you have a physical presence in the form of shops, but what is being sold is even more important. Look at the casualties; Woolworth's, Best Buy and Clinton's with Argos under pressure. All of these chose to stock too much and too much rubbish.
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