By George Anderson
As the headline on the company's homepage clearly states, "Niche Retail is our name for a reason."
The online retailer with 40 employees in Michigan and Minnesota operates 14 separate Web stores from its www.nicheretail.com base, selling specialized goods from golf bags to jogging strollers.
The company's approach is to focus on product knowledge so it can provide consumers with "detailed comparisons and reviews" to help them "make educated decisions online."
Internet consultant David Fry, who has worked with Walgreens, Staples and others, told The Detroit News that Niche not only caters to the needs of shoppers but the manufacturers of the products it sells, as well.
Most retailer Web sites, said Mr. Fry, don't provide the level of product information and customer service expertise of Niche Retail
"Manufacturers have largely been left behind in the Internet revolution," he said. "Home Depot doesn't have John Deere's best interests at heart."
Moderator's Comment: What do you think about Niche Retail's publicly stated approach to customer and vendor relations? Does it give the company a competitive advantage over others selling products in the same area?
This from Niche Retail's homepage:
"We don't believe in a hard sell approach - we prefer educating our customers, so that they can make the best choice for their needs.
"Niche Retail is proud of both our reputation for honesty and fair dealing and of the products that we service and sell. Our goal is to maintain the highest possible ethical standards with our customers, our vendors, and employees." - George Anderson - Moderator