Why Leica Is Opening So Many Stores

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

from their last moves, it seems they simply want to compete in the luxury goods business, and get rid of the rest.

I get the impression that the company's marketing is confused. They want to sell the image of high quality exclusiveness but several of their products have been and still are, rebadged Panasonics.

Of course, Panasonic is very good kit but that seems to me to be a big part of the problem. It would be interesting to know how many people bought V-Lux 20s, when they could buy TZ-10s for a lot less.

 

[Vics]

I don't get why they need stores when they don't build anything anyways.

The wait time for the products is ridiculous, maybe they should focus on production instead of events, marketing and stores. 🙁

I think that a big part of the allure of the product is that it is hand made one camera at a time. They say that it's a three-month wait for an MM. That seems reasonable to me.

 

[raid]

"Sax Fifth Avenue style" Leica stores will appeal to people who want an elite store with high end products and prices.

Quality can be better controlled this way too.

 

[Keith]

luxury is the point, i think. one could buy an HD sportster for much less than a monochrom ...

After dealing with the very poor finish in certain areas on the current model Harleys through my part time job ... I'd take the Leica personally!

The chrome(hah)work on those things is some of the worst I've ever seen and I've owned several Harleys and loved them ... but!!!

 

[mwoenv]

Many very high-end and luxury items are selling very well while the economy for the average person is brutal. Sounds like Leica may do very well.

 

[ChrisN]

luxury is the point, i think. one could buy an HD sportster for much less than a monochrom ...

Not in this part of the world. Current list price for the HD Superlow 883 is $14,250. An MM will cost less than that once the fuss dies down. HD (here) is marketing to the high end luxury market, to riders with plenty of discretionary spending power. They are totally irrelevant to the vast majority of riders.

A bit like Leica perhaps. Leica didn't create the problem, they have taken the only route available to a small manufacturer in the face of competition from the Japanese makers. That's left their best cameras and lenses out of reach of many, but if they didn't take that route they would have left the camera business, and may yet.

 

[Keith]

Not in this part of the world. Current list price for the HD Superlow 883 is $14,250. An MM will cost less than that once the fuss dies down. HD (here) is marketing to the high end luxury market, to riders with plenty of discretionary spending power. They are totally irrelevant to the vast majority of riders.

A bit like Leica perhaps. But Leica didn't create the problem, they have taken the only route available to a small manufacturer in the face of competition from the Japanese makers. That's left their best cameras and lenses out of reach of many, but if they didn't take that route they would have left the camera business, and may yet.

When I was in the motorcycle industry they were known as 'cheque book bikies!'

'Cheque book photographers' sort of fits the bill a little too IMO 😀

 

[ChrisN]

I don't have a cheque book these days. I bought my last motorbike on Bankcard - remember them? Stick it on the never-never!

 

[NickTrop]

What happened to "testing" the idea before rolling it out? Seems to me that they are going forward aggressively with this strategy... unless I missed something? Hope it works for them.

 

[maddoc]

Well, the Leica store Ginza in Tokyo celebrated 5 years already and was the first of its kind world-wide. It has a show-room, qualified (and polite) staff, a gallery and a service-center with people doing a good job. There are exhibitions and opening parties where Leica enthusiast can come together and chat about and the newest and hottest the company has to offer.

Albeit I will never be able (or want to) buy anything new from them (except a front-lens cap), visiting the Ginza Leica store is enjoyable. 🙂

 

[Maiku]

I second maddoc`s comments. The store is simply amazing. The service staff are highly knowledgeable and service is fast. The first time I went in I thought I was a doctor`s clinic. In addition., the interior is simple, but elegant.

 

[helen.HH]

Well, the Leica store Ginza in Tokyo

Albeit I will never be able (or want to) buy anything new from them (except a front-lens cap), visiting the Ginza Leica store is enjoyable. 🙂

Touche Gabor... hehehe, Love Ya !

 

[Jockos]

I think that a big part of the allure of the product is that it is hand made one camera at a time. They say that it's a three-month wait for an MM. That seems reasonable to me.

So you wait 3 months for your MM, then 3 more months for your summilux. It's very unreasonable to me.