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Because our local photo retail shop cannot purchase/move £1000.000 of gear per year Canon have dumped them. Apparently this is going to happen all over the UK. (Nikon will be pleased).
Our local shop, COMLEY CAMERAS, CLEETHORPES, LINCOLNSHIRE, established around 1950 or maybe even earlier is staffed be extremely knowledgeable helpful friendly staff unlike other larger shops whose staff only seem to be able to sell you 'a box with something in it' and wouldn't know the difference between trap focus and a hole in the ground (ask them!).
We are already losing our specialists retailers because of internet prices and now Canon have added one more straw to the camel's back. I DO NOT WANT TO LOSE MY SPECIALIST RETAILER, DO YOU?
Here is what I have just picked up off the internet re Comley Cameras.. http://www.qype.co.uk/place/349541-Comley-Cameras-Cleethorpes
"WHEN THEY ARE GONE, THEY ARE GONE"!! Before we lose all our best shops I have a feeling we ought to speak up...DO SOMETHING PDQ
While sharing Colin Smale's concern about the negative attitude of Canon towards small retailers, I think I ought to say that his blanket criticism of the large chains does not accord with my own experience. I have found the staff at Jessops and Currys Digital, to name but two, to be very knowledgeable and helpful.
But with that minor point made, what can we do to fight this threat to our smaller suppliers? Canon's website does not give an email address except for feedback about the site itself, but it does give a phone number - +44 (0)1737 220000 - and an address - Canon U.K. Ltd, Woodhatch, Reigate, Surrey RH2 8BF. So let's all use phone calls and snail mail to make our protests. If enough of us make our views clear, maybe Canon will get the message.
I do not know of a shop local to me that faces this kind of threat, so my own views will probably not carry much weight, but those of you who are really affected must be in a rather better position to protest. Who's up for it?
Sounds like another Giant thinking they're better than everyone else and ruining good hard working local street stores, shame.
Surely Nikon will take advantage of this??
Well for those who feel the same way but don't want to phone, there's facebook, twitter....etc
I guess there must be a large chain store somewhere that has some knowledgeable staff but I would still put my local shop against em in a product quiz.
Cleethorpes is of course a holiday town and I know a few folk from 'out of town' who make a special pilgrimage to Comley's including a couple who were in there the other day FROM SPAIN !
Quote: £1000.000 of gear per year
Is that really one thousand? Or is the dot (comma perhaps?) in the wrong place?
I ask because I'm not sure just how realistic a target this shop's been set.
Quote: Because our local photo retail shop cannot purchase/move £1000.000 of gear per year Canon have dumped them
Kind of explains why the sales teams are so keen to flog certain items, a good move then.
Canon want retailers to shift ONE MILLION POUND'S WORTH OF STOCK PA I AM TOLD.
I am even more 'miffed' because after 50 years a Nikon man I recently sold every item and went over to Canon, good timing eh? 
Very much the future of corporate business, the car industry did the same many years ago and other retailing sectors have gone this way, just surprised its took so long, I would bet Nikon wont be far behind tbh, It gives the manufacturer much more control over its consumer sales, It can make many more demands on its "franchises" and makes them much more hungery to sell enough to keep that Franchise.
Both brands place in the market place is established and like the branded clothing industry will want to assiciate there brand with the best retailers only.
I guess there are two types of photo retailers, the long established retailer with a good understanding of customer's needs and with excellent product knowledge who will spend time with you, especially if you are a newcomer who doesn't know exactly what he wants but he/she is enthusiastic to get started.
Then there are the huge stores, no point in naming them. Personally I don't enjoy the experience of entering their doors, the feeling of pile em high end sell em....well just sell sell sell and once you have purchased, they want your post code and then your house number. this is of course followed by junk mail of some kind.
I recently purchased a flashgun. No I did not want to pay extra for 'insurance' in case it went wrong, if it goes wrong after three years I'll bin it and buy another one. Of course, a couple of weeks later I get a letter from them suggesting I should buy this insurance. Best way of dealing with that kind of thing is to bang all the paperwork (untouched) back in the envelope and return it.
Why did I purchase the flash from a 'biggie'? Most of the time the smaller retailer will try to match internet prices if you ask them, sometimes they cannot. While I have spent time in the big store, the lack of knowledge and poor advice I have observed when customers have asked questions has made me wince.
I guess I have been spoiled over the years by using one of these old established retailers all soon to be assassinated. 
Grays of Westminster have been successful with just one brand lets hope that smaller retailers can succeed by the omission of one brand; whilst EPZ members will be fully aware of and often air the differences between manufacturers I think that the great camera buying public aren't as aware; hopefully they can be persuaded to purchase non Canon brands and Canon will feel the pinch in lost market share.
Peter.
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