Huntindawg1962
Member
I know the question is only hypothetical so this response is in the same thought.
If it were me considering it, the first thing I would do is get a job at some local consumer grade retailer for a year or so to get the full flavor of "retail" rather than specific to "high end audio retail." Get exposed to the great available market to see what it takes to thrive when pricing alone is the issue. High end people are also price sensitive.
There are really two components that go in play - the specific nature of the high end audio (market limiting) and then the rest of the distractions of any retail operation, and then also dealing with the presence of online availability of everything - which one store alone likely won't be able to stock enough due to cash flow reasons. People "kicking the tires" at your place with no intention of buying from YOU because they get a better deal online and the same delivery timing (unless you stock everything.) Impulse buyers looking for instant gratification (take home today) diminish a lot as the price tag goes up.
Only then would I assess the feasibility of opening such a specific boutique style operation.
If it were me considering it, the first thing I would do is get a job at some local consumer grade retailer for a year or so to get the full flavor of "retail" rather than specific to "high end audio retail." Get exposed to the great available market to see what it takes to thrive when pricing alone is the issue. High end people are also price sensitive.
There are really two components that go in play - the specific nature of the high end audio (market limiting) and then the rest of the distractions of any retail operation, and then also dealing with the presence of online availability of everything - which one store alone likely won't be able to stock enough due to cash flow reasons. People "kicking the tires" at your place with no intention of buying from YOU because they get a better deal online and the same delivery timing (unless you stock everything.) Impulse buyers looking for instant gratification (take home today) diminish a lot as the price tag goes up.
Only then would I assess the feasibility of opening such a specific boutique style operation.
. Others would end up leaving it all at the golf supply stores with all the latest gear. I watched this happen with a relative that liked animals and opened a retail pet store. Not a good reason to do so and in the end, it busted. But not before sucking up a lot of personal assets. The "smarts" for running a business and assessing consumers markets/competition are way different than a passion for something. These things always sort themselves out. 
