Customer:Framer ratios

[CAF]

Just curious as to the general customer to framer ratio in your beat. Before I bought into this business (my partner is the framer - I cut the backboards, glass, do the books, crack the whip - make a general ass of myself wherever possible etc I researched the number of framers in the Western Australian region, and plotted them on a geographical map of Perth, along with population statistics.

This weighed in very heavily in determining where to buy (especially as we are in the 2nd fastest growing suburban/satelite region in the country). On average Perth has a population of 5,000-10,000 for every Framer listed in the Yellow Pages (at least as of April 1999 when I researched the issue).

I'd imagine that the pop:framer ratio is a lot higher in the USA judging by turnover reports in magazines like Decor.

Just Curious,
Mike (hiking up the taste learning curve)

 

[gemsmom]

Mike, When I opened up shop, I didn't consider population/framer ratio. What I chose to look at was income levels. Longmeadow, Mass. is a town where income is above average, and East Longmeadow, where I am located, is considered a "service town" to mostly residential Longmeadow. My store is located on the road which connects these two towns, and I would guess 75% of my business comes from Longmeadow. Higher income bracket means more high end sales. Therefore, for me, anyway, it doesn't matter how MANY customers I have in a day, but how much the ones I do have, spend.

 

[John Ranes II CPF GCF]

Mike,

The numbers in most communities in the U.S. are not all that different. A number of other variables factor into the ratio.
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>Economic well being of the "primary" community
<LI>Diversity of primary employers in the community
<LI>The location of yourself AND your competition - We are convenience type businesses!
<LI>Percentage of Home Based Framers
[/list]

The statistics that I've read match yours: 6,500-8,000 per frame shop in the U.S. This means as a "rule of thumb" that less than 6,500 you MIGHT have difficulty. And more than 8,000 you SHOULD be in good shape.

In Australia, most markets that I observed are particularly competitive, with a larger number of home based businesses than in the U.S. This tends to equate to a smaller average sales volume per storefront framer as well.

John

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The Frame Workshop of Appleton, Inc.
www.theframeworkshop.com
Appleton, Wisconsin
jerserwi@aol.com
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[This message has been edited by John Ranes II, CPF, GCF (edited October 25, 2000).]