Business owner jelous. (competition?)?

Question

We have just recently moved our store to a new location in a small mall.We are a discount store that sells a little bit of more.Before we moved to the store, the owner of the mall went to our old store to check our merchandise.The store in front of us sells jewelery - that is what they are dedicated on.Our store focuses on "quantity" the more we have the more customers we attract. We have a small maybe 50-10 pieces of jewelery. None that look like the store in front of us. We brought them in from the other store, we already had them.

The store in front of us, is now WORRIED we are going to steal their business from them. They think we will close them down. She also sells items others have and more than 5 stores there sell jewelry too. She wants us not to sell jewelry. She says she cant sleep. She also owned the store in front of us BUT IT DID NOT WORK OUT, the had to move the second store to another location. Is she over reacting?

Answer 1

If she failed in business once already, it is her business skills not your jewelry that is causing the problem. She lacks the knowledge and skills to make her store a success so she is trying to eliminate all the competition possible in the area. It's competition, if she can't make it in her own business then she should be doing something else. Why should your profits suffer because she is incapable. Tell her that you can appreciate her situation, however, you are in business also to make a profit and if you stopped selling jewelry you would lose some of your profit. Since they are different types of jewelry there really should not be a problem. Then just stand your ground and see what happens. She will either go out of business (which I doubt, if she does, don't feel guilty, it's her business skills that are lacking - it's not your fault). She is just trying to schmooze you into giving up jewelry so that she can make more profit without any competition. Don't fall for that BS.

Answer 2

I'd watch my back.  

Herbert Hoover once said, "The business of America is business."  Tell her that.  I'm sure she will feel better.

Answer 3

This is Business!! You can't, shouldn't and won't hurt your business because she is worried!!