@kayakwriter all very true and well explained. One downside to those higher turnover items is that they are usually smaller items from well recognized brands. I.e. perfect for online shopping. What would motivate me to go into an MEC store versus shopping online? Or put another way, what sets MEC apart from so many other retailers, both online and physical?
The Yeti cooler is a great example. It's a known brand, and retailers almost certainly have to adhere to MAP to establish pricing, so there's no reason to buy from any particular retailer over another. If the store doesn't host seminars, or repair clinics, or the like, why not just order online or from any other store?
Building loyalty with customers is tough, and I think MEC lost a lot of that other the years.
So back in the day when MEC was still a co-op, and true to co-op principles, they fought MAP because they wanted to sell at lower margins. I'm leaving details vague so as to protect the guilty, but I remember an MEC buyer describing a meeting they'd had with an American Major Supplier Of Brand-Name Commodity Items Any Serious Outdoor Retailer Needed To Stock. It went something like this:
MEC Buyer: "Yeah, it's part of the co-op ethos that we're not for profit, so that's why we have been and will be selling at lower prices than MAP."
Supplier's Junior Account Rep (who was there to learn the ropes): "In that case, we won't be selling you squat, because our other Canadian retailers don't want you upsetting the lucrative apple cart."
MEC Buyer (dangerously calmly): "So that would violate Canadian price-fixing laws. Do we need to go to court on this?"
Supplier's Senior Account Rep: "Excuse us for a moment, please." (Grabs Junior Account Rep by ear, hauls them out of meeting room into hallway. Muffled yelling ensues, amid which the words "You never say that out loud!" can be made out. A chastened Junior Rep reenters with their mentor.)
Junior Rep: "So how many widgets would you like, and in what colours?"
This sort of encounter did not mean that deliveries of such commodity items to MEC didn't sometimes suffer mysterious delays while rival retailers received their products on time. But a few MEC buyers became adept at sourcing such items on the gray market. And since most warranty issues were handled directly through the MEC member service desk, customers did not miss, or maybe even know about, any "missing" manufacturer warranty.
Of course, that was back in the day when MEC was a co-op, and gave a damn about disrupting the market. As you say, for commodity items like a cooler, there aren't really reasons to stick with any particular retailer - go with what's most convenient, cheapest and/or quickest.
Building loyalty with customers is tough, and I think MEC lost a lot of that other the years.
I think this is one of the major strengths that small independent outdoor retailers can play to: MEC and its ilk try to be all things to all outdoor users. And it's not really reasonable to expect any single staff member to be an expert and active hiker, rock climber, mountaineer, ocean and whitewater paddler, cross-country, downhill and tele skier, city commuter, racing and mountain biker. Specialized independents such as your local bike shop or paddling store can fit you onto or into the right bike or kayak for your body shape and intended use, and you will be working with staff members who really do the thing you do or aspire to be doing.
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