Shutterbug is an example of a great local business
There are many factors that predict if a business will succeed and retain customers. Some of the most basic reasons include: customer focus, adaptability to market changes, uniqueness, service and costs.
A Beaverton business that incorporated these factors is the photography store—Shutterbug. It was founded by the Samiee family in 1971, with its first store opening at Salem’s Lancaster Mall, followed by the opening of its first Beaverton location at Washington Square Mall in 1974.
Consider These Business Success Factors
- Customer Focus: Shutterbug’s primary goal is to meet every customer’s needs. This not only means carrying products that customers want, but also the store can meet special requests. They carry a wide variety of photographic equipment, including cameras, lenses and an extensive selection of photography gear, as well as frames and photo albums. In addition to selling new and used cameras, they also rent items, such as telephoto lenses. With a focus on the customer, this means that they provide information, so that the customer can make an educated decision that is right for their unique needs.
- Market Changes: Focusing on their customers influenced Shutterbug’s response to the major change in the photography industry when the surge in using phones instead of cameras exploded in 2014. They quickly adapted and provided the same high level of service for printing phone photos as they did for digital and film cameras. Many camera stores went out of business, because they could not adjust. Shutterbug’s response to the increase in phone photos significantly helped expand their business.
- Uniqueness: One element in Shutterbug’s uniqueness is that it is now one of the few photography stores that still processes film! Again, with the decline of film cameras, many photo stores have not been able to remain competitive.
- Services: Since Shutterbug focuses on its customers, it not only pays close attention to the type of service, but also how those services are provided. Another feature of the store is that it has a “self-service” photo printer. A customer can come in, plug in their thumb drive, and print their pictures. Service is also only as good as the staff. This means having their staff remain up to date on all the new products and trends. Unlike many stores, Shutterbug has a very experienced staff that does not pressure customers, and it enjoys an extremely low turnover rate. Many of their employees have worked there for more than a decade and are almost like a family.
- Cost: Of course, a major concern of all customers is cost. Many photography equipment manufacturers regulate the lowest cost a business can advertise for their product. Shutterbug has addressed cost challenges by focusing on their overhead costs, so that they can provide the best prices for the products they sell.
When shopping in our Beaverton stores consider these five factors to be sure that you are getting the best price for a product, that staff are knowledgeable about what they are selling, and that the provider is not pressuring you to buy something.
Nancy Neal Yeend is a local grandmother and retired mediator of business disputes. She enjoys going to parks and visiting memory care and assisted living facilities with her Therapy Dog, Wolfie.
