RAY'S OUTDOORS - ALL LOCATIONS IN WA CLOSING DOWN!

kiwijims · Guru

RAY'S OUTDOORS - ALL LOCATIONS IN WA CLOSING DOWN!

Meredith · Senior Member

It appears lots of their stores will be closing. From the SMH on May 5th www.smh.com.au/business/retail/super-retail-flags-43m-in-restructuring-costs-20160504-gomnqh.html

"The new concept stores have a wider range of outdoor clothing and footwear, camping equipment, sleeping bags, travel gear such as backpacks and accessories and tents similar to Kathmandu.
After successfully testing the concept in five of its 55 Ray's Outdoors stores, Super Retail plans to convert another 12 stores to the new format, convert 15 stores to another brand, presumably BCF, and either close or rebrand 23 stores. The chain will be known as RAYS."

We have a big Rays near us in Victoria and no closing sale on there, yet.

Happywanderer · The Master

I'm not a bit surprised. Ive said this all along from the day Ray, who I know personally, sold out to BCF..
Not sure what happens with the buildings though as he only sold the business to bcf and still leases the buildings to them.

Very lucrative while it was working for them.

goldfinger · Senior Member

A winning move ..Not!.....one wonders who gives them the feedback as to what the customer really wants...Rays Outdoors in the Town I'm currently in, had huge sale and practically gave stuff away...hordes in there getting bargains....now they are simply 'Rays'.....stock changed completely....top dollar wanted for most items....few clearances only....
I've met old timers in there since who had obviously been past regulars... looking bewildered saying..where's all the 'good' gear they used to have?....as they get out of the store as fast as they can....

Mostly clothes and some tents etc....nothing varied/discounted like before.....you could fire a shotgun in there without hitting anyone now, the times I have been in since the ""big ""change....

Bigger markups....less varied, more exclusive stock/clothing....very few staff compared to previously....don't get too excited if that's what will happen in W.A......Anaconda etc must be loving it here in this Town since the 'Ray's' changes..........
I know a little bit about demographic marketing having been a Qualified/Certified Business Broker for over 20 years in my past life.....watched many business's fail...by changing a winning formula.....
Maybe they know something I don't.....I wish them well...particularly the Staff involved....most of our regular Staff disappeared after the changes.. ..Hoo Roo

Happywanderer · The Master

Ray sold out because of age and ill health. Such a fantastic business he ran from a very young age building it up from one store in Geelong. He had his own brand called Wild Country which he personally worked with overseas to get it into his stores. Probably find Wild Country has completely gone from the stores now.
He made a fortune in just selling the business and is enjoying his retirement. But I find it very sad to see the lot going the way it is after being one of the most popular Tent City/Outdoor outlets for many years.

Bruce and Bev · Guru

Super Retail owns quite a few diverse retail chains, including Super Cheap and apparently Auto 1, as well as BCF.

They were the darlings of the stock exchange up till about 2 years ago when their sales suddenly crashed right across all their brands and as a result their CEO and some other senior managers were sacked. It seems they really have lost their way.

BCF and Rays used to have plenty of staff and lots of product. Now you walk in and theres a few young teenage girls yapping to themselves and their shelves look like Coles (big empty gaps). I think a lot of people are going back to the dearer, but very knowledgeable and friendly tackle/fishing and local outdoors shops. Ask one of the teens in Rays or BCF about a product and they just don't have a clue (with a few exceptions).

Save money by employing on child wages and your business goes belly up through customer service/attitude and product knowledge!

kiwijims · Guru

After getting that Email this morning, I raced down the road to our local Rays,

Might as well have stayed at home, everything was over priced,

I saw an old Bloke looking closely at a tackle box with a price tag of $18.95,'

The same box is for sale at Kmart for less than $ 10.00

Half the shelves were already empty, but I can't say they had sold the stuff, there were heaps of packing crates at the rear of the shop and they looked as though they had only just been packed, probably going next door it BCF.

There was more Staff on today than I've ever seen in this shop, and Yes there were the customers, grabbing stuff off the shelves like there was no tomorrow, I bet no one had bothered to check elsewhere to find the best price, !!

very disappointing, if they call that sale, they were only grabbing coin of gullible fools.

K.J.

Desert Dweller · Senior Member

BCF & Ray's Outdoors are owned by the same mob. If your local Ray's goes head for your local BCF, no difference. Aussie Disposals has a better range.

Cupie · Guru

Desert Dweller wrote:
BCF & Ray's Outdoors are owned by the same mob. If your local Ray's goes head for your local BCF, no difference. Aussie Disposals has a better range.

The only Aussie Disposals in Qld seems to be in Toowoomba.

I find both BCF & Ray's too dear but a bit better than Anaconda (except when they are on special .. a regular occurrence). Anaconda in our area has by far the best range.

Supercheap are not cheap & carry a lot of poor quality stuff. Prefer AutoPro or the often dearer Repco.

Desert Dweller · Senior Member

www.smh.com.au/business/camping-sporting-goods-company-super-retail-group-finds-life-no-picnic-of-late-20140117-310cp.html

mjt57 · Senior Member

Two years ago both a Rays and a BCF opened in a new shopping strip in town. Both look identical inside. I've bought stuff from both but cannot remember from which. So confusing.

I'm surprised that either or both are still running. No-one ever seems to be in there. And as someone else above wrote, they appear to be staffed by teenagers whose idea of camping would be at the Sofitel...