So after a ride this morning, and thinking on this whole "why" bit I wanted to add this: The recession has really created a scenario where people don't have as much disposable income (or at least a certain share of the market), and the money they do spend is being spent more wisely. When they make a purchase, they are making an investment in a product that has a bit more history to it, a bit more perceived quality to it. If they do spend, they're looking for things that are a bit more personalized, a bit more unique and a little less "mass-produced". The American market, I feel, is starting to create a new market based on smaller, niche brands with a more personalized feel to them. Perhaps "intimate" is more appropriate. But I'm seeing this business model, smaller, more niche, hand crafted goods, as a new model that we're going to see more of and it's not going to be a flash in the pan (IMO). I'm talking 10 years or more at least. As cyclists, we're just seeing the cycling end of the spectrum, but there are a whole host of company's, smaller company's with smaller staffs with a keen eye for product and how that is made/showcased, where it is made, what materials are being used, etc. is rapidly becoming a new norm. The recession also showed the cracks in a system of "More, More, More" " bigger, Bigger, BIGGER" which is not sustainable in the long run. Hence this resurgence of "artisan" like products, and company's that are centric to this new movement - perhaps a bit of a reaction to the latter. And also hence a clientele who are keen for something more unique and not something that just anyone can walk into a bicycle shop and purchase. That's a huge advantage that I can offer that larger brands just can't.
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