Thread: I hope AOS isn't the next starbucks

A short time ago I learned we had an AOS store coming to a mall in my area. I admit I am a little anxious for it to open just to check it out. So today I checked their website to see if they had a date yet only to find out they are opening a second in another mall just miles away. Call me crazy but I think that's a little overkill for our market.

Where are you located?? There are at least 3 that i know of around an in Chicago.....I feel they push more of the highend disposables than str8 and DE

I like AOS products. Their creams which I have tried are superb. Would you prefer straights not to go mainstream? Would such a happening erode their nostalgia? Or do you care for unsuspecting newbies who see and buy with an assumption of, or ignorance to, the shave-ability of their factory-edged razors, subsequently to hurt both themselves and the reputation of straights?

I'm all for the spread of the AOS stores as long as it doesn't lead to a decline in the quality of products that can happen when a business such as this grows as rapidly as it is.

I'm located in the sacramento area which isn't small but still I'm shocked they feel the market is large enough for two stores.
I am all for the growth of Str8s and I'm not knocking their products but I have to agree they do focus on high end disposables and may not be educating newbs enough about straights which I feel will do more damage than good. I also have to agree such rapid growth could hurt them in the long run.

I've read comments about AOS from people that work/used to work there. Apparently management's main goal is to be bought up by Gillette as a high end retailer for their goods, so they try to push Gillette products. This could just be hearsay but from the comments thus far in this thread, I'd say it's obvious from outside the store employees. The last time I went into one of their stores here in Chicago I had the manager tell me how much better the electronic badger brush lathered than a normal brush (and then proceeded to demonstrate it's "superb" lathering ability on my hand).

Originally Posted by TwistedOak

I've read comments about AOS from people that work/used to work there. Apparently management's main goal is to be bought up by Gillette as a high end retailer for their goods, so they try to push Gillette products. This could just be hearsay but from the comments thus far in this thread, I'd say it's obvious from outside the store employees. The last time I went into one of their stores here in Chicago I had the manager tell me how much better the electronic badger brush lathered than a normal brush (and then proceeded to demonstrate it's "superb" lathering ability on my hand).

According to wikipedia that already happened:

"Procter & Gamble, owner of the Gillette brand, purchased The Art of Shaving in 2009."

Originally Posted by Hrwa

According to wikipedia that already happened:

"Procter & Gamble, owner of the Gillette brand, purchased The Art of Shaving in 2009."

oh, well there you go.

That's exactly why they are expanding because now that P&G owns it they must fit a business model. The quality takes a second seat to profitability.

One could look at the progression in a few different lights... I would certainly expect AOS to focus on the Gillette-style razors and DE's as the audience for such products, even high-end versions, is much larger than that using traditional straight edges. Unfortunately, as is evidenced above, through a lack of education among their sales staff about the product they sell, I'm more concerned about the spread of mis-information than of our hobby becoming "mainstream."

@Scipio: I don't feel that more interest in the straight razor would deduct from the sense of nostalgia, though its certainly an interesting discussion to have.

Personally, I see the entire concept of wet-shaving, whether done with a straight edge, DE, or Mach3, to be that of taking care of one's self. Wet shaving can evoke a gentlemanly feeling from taking one's time in the morning and of looking and feeling distinguished. Whatever your razor preference, I'm all for the expansion of the trend.

Are there too many AOS shops? Perhaps. Would I like to see enough demand to support shaving supply shops in every major city? Absolutely!