Walmart heirs buy Rapha.

[Cycleops]

This might be of interest to some:
Walmart heirs win battle for cycling brand Rapha - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-40856267

 

[Welsh wheels]

If Rapha's prices were as reasonable as Walmart's, I might be tempted.

 

[Shadow]

LVMH (rumoured to buy rapha months ago) must have decided £220m was too much!!

 

[Globalti]

So will we be seeing a new sports clothing line at George?

 

[Accy cyclist]

If Rapha's prices were as reasonable as Walmart's, I might be tempted.

But then it just wouldn't be Rapha. The whole point of Rapha is to wear average cycle clothing that has an expensive tag on it. If it was reasonably priced it wouldn't be popular.

 

[screenman]

But then it just wouldn't be Rapha. The whole point of Rapha is to wear average cycle clothing that has an expensive tag on it. If it was reasonably priced it wouldn't be popular.

Many people do not see it as expensive.

 

[Accy cyclist]

Many people do not see it as expensive.

I know. I'm not a fan of myself. Their jerseys seem to be made in dull bland colours. I prefer brighter stuff.

 

[screenman]

It's not overly expensive...


...but it is over-priced for what it is. It's the victory of marketing hype.

Very cleverly done as well. Why did we not all come up with the idea.

 

[TVC]

LVMH (rumoured to buy rapha months ago) must have decided £220m was too much!!

Is that the price for the company, or a pair of bib shorts?

 

[Globalti]

The first law of marketing luxury goods is that you must NEVER charge too little. If stuff wasn't expensive, customers wouldn't believe it was any good. History is littered with examples, the one that comes to mind is Suntour's new professional groupset, which was better than anything Shimano had to offer but Suntour priced it too cheaply and the professionals who spec team bikes couldn't believe it was any good so it failed in the market and the R&D costs crippled Suntour who never recovered.

 

[Globalti]

I happen to work in a related industry so I know what goes into those body creams and when I see a jar of Creme de la Mer on sale for £100 against a jar of Nivea at £2.00 I shudder at the scale of the con.

 

[screenman]

The first law of marketing luxury goods is that you must NEVER charge too little. If stuff wasn't expensive, customers wouldn't believe it was any good. History is littered with examples, the one that comes to mind is Suntour's new professional groupset, which was better than anything Shimano had to offer but Suntour priced it too cheaply and the professionals who spec team bikes couldn't believe it was any good so it failed in the market and the R&D costs crippled Suntour who never recovered.

There again though, sell to the masses and live with the classiest.

 

[screenman]

I happen to work in a related industry so I know what goes into those body creams and when I see a jar of Creme de la Mer on sale for £100 against a jar of Nivea at £2.00 I shudder at the scale of the con.

Or Clarins, my SIL brought me a tub of moisturiser for my 60th not even any good.

 

[Cycleops]

There again though, sell to the masses and live with the classiest.

Mike Ashley hasn't done too bad with that philosophy.

 

[Drago]

It's not overly expensive...


...but it is over-priced for what it is. It's the victory of marketing hype.

For once we agree. A while back they interviewed the founder on Radio 4, and the price is set at what he feels the marketing and buying market will sustain, not what the raw materials and workmanship are worth. My one Rapha garment is distinctly forgettable in terms of the standard or manufacture - luckily I didn't pay for it.