Boots to close 2/3 of its in-store photo processing locations

[andybarton]

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https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/mar/01/boots-to-close-majority-of-photo-labs-with-up-to-400-jobs-at-risk

 

But, Timpsons seem to be about to open some additional locations.

 

Mixed messages here...

[wattsy]

To be honest, I'd rather assumed that Boots no longer processed film (at least not routinely with a 1 hour service) and that perception might be a large part of their problem.

[chris_livsey]

The last time I priced D&P (for a test roll) there I turned and ran from their emporium.

 

Timpsons owns Max Spielman, mainly NW (200) and bought Snappy Snaps (120) in the South a few years back and are buying Johnson's cleaners, not hard to see who has the enterprise and go.

[earleygallery]

This is sad news. The Boots near me has a 1 hour mini lab which I use from time to time. I find them OK (I had one film scratched by them some years ago) and it's at odds with the general increase in film use. As above, they don't really promote the service however and that could be part of the problem (although it generally seems busy when I've visited).

 

I suspect it's a remote bean counters decision who probably knows nothing about the photo market. I might contact Boots about it myself.

 

I didn't know that Timpsons owns Snappy Snaps - they are my preferred choice although the Boots lab is open late on Thursdays so it's been convenient for me.

 

I have never had any problems with Quality from Snappy Snaps and it's encouraging that Timpsons are expanding that side of the business. Frankly if the demise of Boots service boosts Snappy Snaps I see that as a good thing!

[earleygallery]

Well, I wrote to Boots about my views on their strategy but received the typical corporate response that's obvious it will be filed in the bin.

 

I felt moved to post a new article on my blog and I will now avoid Boots in future when I need C41 processing and give my business to Snappy Snaps, who I feel safer using anyway.

https://jamesearleyphotoblog.wordpress.com/2017/03/03/boots-to-close-mini-labs-but-film-isnt-dead/

[AlanG]

Well earleygallery your entire post is dependent on this, "I suspect Boots have a bunch of bean counters who had to deliver some cost cutting measures and job cuts."  So you assume they can't assess the profit and loss of their own operation?  I presume you do not work as an executive at Boots.  But somehow you know it can be profitable for them and have more knowledge about their business than they have. 

 

Without access to their financials, my assumption is that if film processing was the most profitable use of the space, resources, and personnel, they would not be closing the labs.