Orvis shops, forgetting their fly heritage?

[arkle]

Called into the Bath Orvis shop a day or so ago and was very dissapointed at both the selection and quality of their display of fly tying materials. Almost hidden at just above floor level, very untidy, mixed, poorly or even unkempt, a far cry from a few years back when the store opened and they had a room, albeit small all to themselves.

There were staff around being decorous in a sort of upmarket clothes store sort of way, and yes one of them did ask if I could be helped. I can only assume that they are becoming "just another" clothes shop, as thats where the profit is.

I mentioned this to another forum member in Yorkshire, and he says that the Harrogate branch is just the same. Is yours ?

[midlander]

I pottered in to the Bakewell store last summer and if memory serves me correctly the whole fishing section was upstairs, out of sight. There was a small but over priced tying selection in one corner which was reasonably well displayed. In reality though I wasn't surprised the clothing was downstairs in full view as there's a Rohan store just down the street which must be a major clothing competitor.

[Dougie]

Fishing tackle accounts for less than 20% of Orvis' annual turnover.....so I've heard. Clothing (womens) is where the real margin is.

[wcb]

Thats true for the States but from what i have heard they are going to start making fishing gear a bit more important in the UK again.

In the UK at least Orvis is still known as a flyfishing company not a Clothing company.

WCB

[Dougie]

Originally Posted by wcb

Thats true for the States but from what i have heard they are going to start making fishing gear a bit more important in the UK again.

In the UK at least Orvis is still known as a flyfishing company not a Clothing company.

WCB

You would think that until you walk into their shops........

[wcb]

I know what you are saying but from what i have heard from Orvis themselfs the new boss of the UK an American guy wants to make it more fishing.

WCB

[Dougie]

That's good news!!

[wcb]

It sure is

WCB