Pulp 68 Skate Store
Shop Name: Pulp68, The skateboard Museum of Geneva
Location: 115 Route de Vernier, Genève
Age of Shop (years trading): 18 Years
Brands Stocked: Pulp68 skateboard & wear, Dc Shoes, Osiris, Thanks Skateboards, Toy Machine, Powell, Santa Cruz and many small companies, independant labels, local brands.
Please give a brief history of your store including when it was started, who started it, who the owners and key players are.
I started the store in 94-95 after a big skate injury, skateboarding and snowboarding is my passion, can no longer practice, I have chosen a different path.The Pulp68 associative store has been set up shop with friends throughout the years they have summers present. Today I continue my work in the skate & snow scène, but also art and many other areas such as design and creation
After all these years I still have personal sponsors ( i’m 43 years old) like DCShoes, Analaog, Von Zipper, G-shock. People who supported me in my early days and are still there today.
I’m like a teenager whenever someone offers me something and I make sure to do my job for the promotion of what they give me. I always separate myself and shop / business
What percentage of your sales are from online business compared to your in-store sales?
For a year, I took the decision to close the online store.I am aware that this decision is stupid, but this is not the first time that I take this decision like this.
I love human contact and not that of a plastic card and a purchase order number. For those who are too remote or too idlers, they know that a simple e-mail can be enough to have anything.
What are the benefits of having a physical shop over simply having an online store?
the main advantage is the contact with the customer, to guide his choice. Today in the skate is often young children and they need to be accompanied by someone reliable to buy their first skate. It is not nothing, 100% of skaters remember their first purchase.
What makes your store different and in what ways does your store excel beyond your competition?
This is the place and the people who are, in every new client I always hear the same phrase “I’ve never seen a place like this.” I try to keep beyond the business, the atmosphere skateshops 90s, skateboarding passion and not money!
What trends do you see upcoming?
I think the gap between commercial and underground skate will dig further. The people will return to the small brands and independent productions. They increasingly want to support those who make the scene
What kind of advice can you give other independent retailers who are trying to compete against the big box megastores?
Dare, take risks and do not sit on your aquis. Do not give in to the lure of easy and trendy products. Create your own identity
Which up and coming brand do you hope to stock in the future?
I do not know what I have next month, but I know that I never have …Scooters !
What are you doing to pull people into your store?
I’m almost tempted to say nothing … My actions are not commercial. If I want to do something, I do it without ulterior motives. This is also what people like. Otherwise, I am very active on social networks
How confident are you for the coming summer?
I think that was going to be cool for us, I do not have the same certainty for everyone …
How’s the local market in these days?
the local market is expanding as I said earlier people return to local brands because they know that by buying these products they support benefit sport
What have been the best three selling categories for you in the last 12 months?
Pulp68 Skate decks, caps & shoes
Please tell us of any upcoming initiatives your shop has planned? (events, signings, re-vamps etc…)
We make some creative competitons ( like the Ollie contest on Fb ), DIY spots, BBQ, live bands, video editing, skateboard contest, artshow, the real skate life !
