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Having moved to Australia in recent years, I was very happy to see that JayCar, their equivalent to Radio Shack, seemed to be doing quite well. This is judging by what I've seen of the stores in what is considered a fairly backwards part of Australia (Queensland).

The difference seems to be two-fold. First, Jaycar didn't go through an insane expansion (there are only 12 or so locations per state). Second, they've grown "out" from their core market of electronics hobbyist instead of betraying it. Just a few examples: custom car stereos, solar panel accessories, camping/RV electronics, boating electronics, and DJ-stuff like laser projectors. This is all in addition to the arduino and 3D printing stuff that you'd expect. There's a huge amount of cross-over between these markets, which works out great for Jaycar.

There is one additional factor keeping Jaycar healthy that probably shouldn't be underplayed. Due to mining and a less crypto-facist view of unions, Australia has not (yet) completely gutted it's blue-collar market and culture. Jaycar advertises almost exclusively to this "tradie" (as the Australians call it) demographic. Jaycar is marketed as a "manly" thing, not a "nerd" or "tech" thing. In fact, it's even drummed up minor controversy from feminist as being exclusionary with ads focusing on "leaving her to go to your man-cave" and whatnot. This part of Jaycar's success probably can't be replicated stateside. The market of people who have the skills to fix a small electric outboard motor and can still afford one died with the rest of blue-collar culture and jobs.




Another thing that probably helped is that Dick Smith Electronics moved out of that space and became Yet Another Consumer Electronics Store.


It's almost as if Dick Smith made exactly the same mistake as RS.


Likewise, in the UK, the dozens of Maplin stores remain places where it's possible to pick up components for electronics projects, alongside the kinds of other electronic products you mention. Evidently, there does remain a place in the world for stores of this kind, whatever can be offered online.


That's interesting. The UK also has more protections for small contractors (e.g. electricians, welders, etc.). I wonder if that's the common thread (meaning it's basically impossible to replicate in the US) or if Radical Hack could have stayed alive if it had just doubled down.

The overgrowth factor shouldn't be ignored though. It's a particularly sad effect of MBA-culture and perverse incentives that so many perfectly viable retail outlets grow themselves to death. Krispy Kreme is the perfect example of a chain that was obviously working and did everything it could to kill itself with growth. I sympathize that everyone involved in those decisions made ones that were rational for them and their personal gains, it's just a sad outcome for the chain.


How much different are retail vs internet prices in AUS?

I just imagine because of AUS (relative) isolation, that internet transactions aren't much cheaper than retail.

Pure speculation.


The difference is significant, but if you need two resistors it's $0.50 each, or a bag of 100 from the internet for $5 + shipping + waiting, then having 98 left over. Unless it's a particularly common part you'll never use the 98, so you've spent $4 more.




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