Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2014/03/13
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Hardly surprised. The branch in downtown Philly seemed woefully understocked for a "serious" camera store. My guess (though some insiders may know more definitively) is that they had a crummy Christmas, and couldn't get further extensions on their line(s) of credit. We live in a world where cameras are computers, and like computers sales and technical service have migrated to the web, at razor-thin margins. The sub $500 category, which used to be the industry's "bread and butter", has become an iPhone with $30 worth of lens attachments. Accessories and consumables (prints and film) paid for most camera shops pre-digital; the remaining ones are selling framing services and digital prints (though far fewer than in the C-41 days) to stay alive. From what I understand, prints are now available automatically from many cameras/cell phones at the touch of a button; the prints arrive on your doorstep a few days later, and your credit card is dunned. Shades of the yellow Kodak mailer, without the mailer! Little wonder that in my community retail is now a combination of bank branches, nail salons/hair salons, restaurants and exercise clubs/tanning salons. Everything else is an Amazon shipment or an app. Read it 'n weep: http://www.dpreview.com/news/2013/08/01/camera-shipments-2013-CIPA For many, carrying a camera is as silly as wearing a watch, when your phone does the work of both (and much more). Jim Shulman Wynnewood, PA Who totes a smartphone, 30s style wristwatch, and Leica IIIb. -----Original Message----- From: lug-bounces+jshulman=judgecrater.com at leica-users.org [mailto:lug-bounces+jshulman=judgecrater.com at leica-users.org] On Behalf Of Robert Baron Sent: Thursday, March 13, 2014 12:20 PM To: Leica Users Group Subject: [Leica] Calumet Photo in Bankruptcy Liquidation http://photobusinessforum.blogspot.com/2014/03/calumetphoto-chapter-7-bank ruptcy.html <sigh> _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information