Buy used items at BOOKOFF
I wonder what the process is like when buying used gear at BOOKOFF. During high season, BOOKOFF SUPER BAZZAR stores set up snow gear corners, where you can often find bargains. In such cases, the most important thing to be concerned about when skiing is the binding.
"All the staff at our ski and snowboard stores are certified by SBB to install and adjust bindings, so we can check for looseness in bindings. We also adjust bindings, including pressure, to suit the customer's needs. However, we do not purchase individual bindings or handle only skis.We only sell used skis with bindings.When handing over skis, we also perform maintenance and waxing on the soles.Actually, we do not sell skis with bindings
. Our staff is working diligently to take care of each car one by one in the backyard (outdoors)! (laughs)
Accessories are one of the items that have high purchase needs. Goggles and gloves are easy to buy in terms of price, so they may be recommended for beginners to BOOKOFF. Compared to skis and boots, newer models are easier to find at reasonable prices, and there is a wide variety of popular brands available. However, because the items rotate so quickly and are sold quickly, they are usually gone by the time you visit the store next time. If you come across a bargain, you will regret it if you don't buy it immediately.
Goggles and gloves sell very well to family skiers who often size up as their children grow. Since the products are indispensable, they are always trying not to run out of products on the sales floor. He seems to be conscious of encouraging people to sell as much as possible, and making sure to buy as much as possible so as not to miss out on purchases. BOOKOFF manufactures original products on an OEM basis and sells them as new products. This is surprising.
“We want to create a one-stop service environment for those entering BOOKOFF, where they can get everything they need when they come to BOOKOFF. It's important to increase motivation to go."
There have been many negative things in recent years, such as the decline in the number of skiers, low snowfall, and the coronavirus pandemic, but I want people to try skiing, realize how fun it is, and continue. So, first of all, we would like to create an environment where those who enter the store come to the store and have a certain amount of products available."
BOOKOFF's idea of ``a society where nothing is thrown away''
What is the thinking behind BOOKOFF's focus on the ski and snowboard reuse business?
Mission: ``Aiming for a society where nothing is thrown away''
``First of all, we want to increase the number of users in the industry as a whole, but the reason behind this is that this second-hand buying and selling is a strength that is unique to Japan.As we have a second-hand goods dealer's license, second-hand buying and selling has a long history in Japan. Yes, there are a lot of them.I think it can be said that Japan is one of the few countries in the world where there is no hesitation in buying and selling second-hand items.This is because the concept of reuse and recycling is relatively widespread. I think it would be interesting if we could make the product more popular and spread it to a wider range of people by activating it even more, and I think we could start a big movement from there.
Currently, the reuse market is rapidly expanding in Japan. C to C services like Mercari are also growing, and the flow of goods is changing rapidly. Therefore, in our B to C, so-called company-to-customer flow, we aim to create a ``society where nothing is thrown away'' by making use of our 800 brick-and-mortar stores and ensuring that items are passed on to the next person. That is BOOKOFF's mission."
■ BOOKOFF's "attitude" as we transition to a society that does not throw anything away (recycling-oriented society)
to realize the mission
A brand called from JAPAN
“Currently, BOOKOFF has opened stores overseas, including one in Malaysia and about 10 stores in the United States.Recently, they have expanded to Kazakhstan and have two stores.Currently, “From JAPAN ' is really popular. It's probably made in China, so it's not "Made in" but "From JAPAN." Because it was used by Japanese people, it has gained the status of being safe to use. For example, there are a lot of figures, anime, comic books, and Cool Japan items coming from Japan.
Products that were previously discarded because they could not sell well in Japan are now being sold in Malaysia, and they are proving to be a great hit. The reuse store is operating under the trade name "Jalan Jalan Japan."
We don't buy baby items, clothes, stuffed animals, and other items that really didn't sell well in Japan, so we really don't have enough of them. In Kazakhstan, winter goods are the mainstay. It's at the same latitude as Hokkaido, so it's cold, so heavy clothing and winter items sell well. In an extreme example, skis made 10 or 20 years ago sell really well.
However, there is no Olympia in Kazakhstan yet. That may be the strength of the country, but that's exactly why I want Olympia to come from Kazakhstan. I hope that as many people as possible can tell stories about how they were able to aim for the Olympics because of the second-hand items they bought at BOOKOFF. I really want to increase it."