In uncertain economic conditions like the ones that are happening now, how can a family owned skate shop even compete with the corporate chain stores and even gain market share from the regions they service?

Skateboarding in general is in the midst of a major downturn just like we had back in the late 90’s and even further back than that. Perhaps this can be contributed to by the following factors:

•  Too many Shops in certain geographic areas all looking for piece a of the pie that is shrinking.
• Corporate takeover and consolidations in marketing.
• skateboarders themselves have stereotyped the industry in a negative light.
• Rents and sales taxes are going crazy while the sales are dropping steadily.
• Cost of shipping is growing at a tremendous rate hurting sale prices at retailers.

So now what? If everything follows the current trend, you should see major changes in the industry way to do business. Petroleum is at an all time high effecting everything from Wheels to footwear prices. Since Americans all seem to use oil based products we have no where to go but up!! Skateboarding has seen this before, went underground and came back at least two times in my life I can remember. But where does that leave the skaters? Looking for shops that’s where.

Smaller family owned shops are having a huge headache trying to keep up, many have already closed doors with certainly many to follow in the coming months. At Bordz, we have already diversified our inventory to carry: BMX products, promote Birthday Party packages, Summer instructional Camps, along with providing repair services for BMX, Surfboards and Skateboards. Oh did I mention that Bordz also does lessons and even Heating and Air Conditioning services and repairs.

Not a plug but even with all these services we (specialty shops) find it difficult to keep doors open much longer in this economic climate. Certain financial obligations must always be met and under this recession, we are seeing a rapid decline in revenue from expendable cash that parents once had for their children. Even Citibank has posted a loss this year and are planning a layoff of over 9000 employees???? The AC casinos are also in the same boat with PA parlors now taking a small market share of their once monopolized revenue source. However the tourist season is fast approaching and many new sources of expendable vacationer revenue is rolling into town very soon.

But, will the price of gas at $4 a gallon effect the NJ shore summer revenue influx? This remains to be seen, I think the bigger question is:

How many shops ie Food, retail etc will even be around to see the summer influx?? The private sector in the state is faltering while the Unions, Government employees and executive branches all show solid growth?? Hm,mmm, anyone want a NJ state Job? Comes with benefits, pension and loads of perks like FREE taxpayer money. If you hesitate to listen to me than just take a listen any morning to NJ 101.5 FM radio and see what is really happening in NJ. Many are losing their jobs, Homes, Cars and many more are losing their health worrying how to pay for the everyday expenses just to live here.

So then where does skateboarding go from here? At least in NJ, you will see a BIGGER decline than ever before in industry sales and growth among the shops in NJ trying to make ends meet. If every skater was loyal to their local skateboard shop then most could make it by in these trying times. But since most skaters are kids and so easily lead the mall stores will survive (due to large $ backing they write off the loss against what they rip you off for when you buy from them Profit) and the local family owned shops will most likely fade away into what used to be and will always be the backbone of skateboarding and where it should have stayed. Please take a look at FTK.COM under the uncertainty article, you will getr a good idea of the future of skateboarding.

The demise of Skateboarding:

internet and mail order /the high price of petroleum / China wood decks / teenage attitudes / skaters making things tough for themselves by stereotyping / Municipal government.

Till Later: Skate on and wear a helmet!