G-LOVE
Shop Name: G-LOVE
Location: Villach, Austria
Age of Shop (years trading): 16
Brands Stocked: AWS, Brixton, Carhartt, Habitat, Lakai, Supra, Krew, Sweet, Love, Aped, Volcom, Vans, DGK, Deathwish, Rome, Capita, Burton, 686, Airblaster, Nikita, Baker, Altamont, Asphalt Yachtclub, Primitive.. only to name a few…
Website/Social media platform:
Facebook, Instagram, Homepage….
G-LOVE is a cool store in Austria where they stick to their roots as a skateboarding shop. Their creativity is key to keeping the magic alive with this core shop.
How do you use social media to you advantage to promote your store?
We put all of our new stuff we get directly onto our Facebook Site or Instagram. Also, if a customer buys a new Skateboard or Snowboard we take a Pic with her/him with it and put it on our Facebook or Instagram site, if they aren´t to shy. 😉 We post our Team news, Contest Pics, Business News, etc etc….
What particular product has been the best seller? What’s working and what isn’t?
Shoes (Vans, Lakai, Habitat, Supra) and Skate hardware are working pretty well this year. Baggy jeans not, Hahahaha (Fortunately we don´t have them on Stock)
What is your best selling accessory category?
As I said before, Skatestuff, Shoes and Cap´s off course – Snapback´s and 5 Panels and don´t forget Socks with all over Prints. We are still in preparation for our Winter season, so snowboards and Bindings.
What percentage of your sales are from online business (from your website) compared to your in-store sales?
We are a 100% Offline Shop now, I think we will stand our Ground like this.
What are the benefits of having a physical shop over simply having an online store?
It is said 1000 times before but it is matter of fact. The personal contact to people is something that is the key for a core Shop. You can keep your scene together, motivate People to Skate and Snowboarding. Believe me I have been doin´it for 16 Years now. Hahahaha.
What makes your store different and in what ways does your store excel beyond your competition?
We try to be what we are: a Skate and Snowboard shop and nothing else. Thats why we have been doin´our own thing since 97. People know what they expect if they walk through our doors.
What trends do you see upcoming?
Skateboarding is coming back, heavy. Small Brands are more and more important because people want some special stuff and Brands who think they doing well as the Big Discounters should stay there.
What kind of advice can you give other independent retailers who are trying to compete against the big megastores?
Honestly, you can´t compete. But one thing you shouldn’t forget: a Core Shop is always a lot cooler and more special. Never forget your Roots. Keep the Magic that surrounds a core shop and be creative. Run a Local Team with good and honest guys who stand behind you.
Which up and coming brands do you hope to stock in the future?
There some new Skateboard brands coming up I think because some big names leave there Sponsors. There will be some cool brand new companies on the Market soon. These we will have in our Shop definitely.
What are you doing to pull people into your store?
We try to style our shop as exciting as possible, order cool stuff and try to surprise our customers with new and fresh styles. We do an outstanding service for our Customers.
Do Video Premiere and Contests and so on……
What have been the best three selling categories for you in the last 12 months?
Shoes, Caps, Skate hardware
Please tell us of any upcoming initiatives your shop has planned? (events, signings, re-vamps etc…)
Our hometown got some new Concrete Skate Park including a Bowl where we were involved in the planning. We have some Skate, Snowboarding, Free ski Video Premieres. And one of our biggest is a Team video that is currently in progress.
