On line versus bricks and mortar

With Phumelela having shown in the past that cost cutting is a very necessary exercise to extend the economic life of a marginal industry it has to be questioned why bricks and mortar remains their preferred distribution channel.

I understand that an expansion of technology infrastructure would be an untimely additional cost at this stage but it would provide huge cost savings down the line and provide a more effective platform with which to reach out to a market that is rapidly becoming more sophisticated and tech savvy.

Cell phone sales and coverage over the last few years and the current rapid conversion rate to smart phones clearly shows where the opportunity will come from in future. On line products and accessibility through mobile apps makes an investment in technology an absolute no brainer for the future expansion of racing.

Convenience, ease of use and geographical reach should be reason enough to invest in expanding this platform, not to mention the deluge of essential data that it will provide in terms of customer preferences and habits and more effective communication with your client.

Can a minimal online presence and continued defending of the bricks and mortar investment really be justified if they are serious about promoting racing?

If the UK is anything to go buy, betting shops and totes will be empty in a few years time..

Saving grace for the shops in Saf are the bread and butter punters that can only deal cash and punters that cant get on with online bookies..

I was a betting shop manager for years in the UK and the young disapeared from the shops with the invent of smart phone punting..

Bob for me the worry is that their behaviour clearly shows the intent.

Everything points to racing being a lesser priority in future which is why there is no pro-active approach on any front.

Racing is clearly not a growing money spinner and as such will continue to receive less than complimentary support.

They should however appoint a dedicated team with the sole purpose of actively researching and promoting the racing side of the business and don't tell me that "Racing, its a Rush" is it as it is a well intended campaign but with very limited potential of creating sustainable new business.

Strangely ''Its a Rush'' is run by a team that promotes the event at the races and not the racing side so LSU has a valid point.

About a dozen years ago i had a bank that was an internet bank only. They were called Twenty20. Boy, was their service good. When you phoned them you never got "press 1 for current a/c, 2 for bananas, etc" but you got a "warrior" there and then to solve yr problem. It was not just customer service but customer delight.

Hi Mac

Now there's a name from the past. They were actually a division of Saambou Bank and they were really good. Received many accolades for what was a very innovative platform for the time.