[mamethot]

Surprisingly, Pentax has a good storefront presence in Canada. In major cities, all major camera stores sell Pentax, However, in electronic stores like BestBuy, Pentax is left out. In spite of this, I hardly ever see another Pentax camera while shooting in Canada. Ricoh needs to do something unique to increase the brand awareness. So far, Pentax is lagging behind in new technologies like Wifi that could attract the younger generation.

Agreed on all points and applies to the situation in Montreal, shops DO carry Pentax but it's sometimes in a corner far from your sight. The exception would be at Gosselin Photo in Quebec City where it's right in your face.

[noser]

Surprisingly, Pentax has a good storefront presence in Canada. In major cities, all major camera stores sell Pentax, However, in electronic stores like BestBuy, Pentax is left out. In spite of this, I hardly ever see another Pentax camera while shooting in Canada. Ricoh needs to do something unique to increase the brand awareness. So far, Pentax is lagging behind in new technologies like Wifi that could attract the younger generation.

I think you can attribute that to just one person - Bill (or 'Pentax Bill', the local rep). He makes a point of being present at places like The Camera Store and is an all-round nice guy to talk to. At least in western Canada... not sure about the east, GTA, etc. And I'm not sure he hits up London Drugs, the other 'almost big box' chain here.

I'm actually not miffed that Future Shop / Best Buy don't carry Pentax; would you go to McD's to order steak? I think not. Same goes for Memory Express... they wanted a slice of the volume that TCS and Vistek do here but I don't see it happening.

[Parallax]

I think you can attribute that to just one person - Bill (or 'Pentax Bill', the local rep).

Like we can attribute Pentax's lack of B&M presence in the U.S. to Ned. (or "Pentax? - meh......." Ned)

[Kunzite]

"Pentax? - meh......." Ned, that sounds like a fictional character

I'm curious, did any of you saw an improvement, no matter how small, in B&M presence?

[jatrax]

I'm curious, did any of you saw an improvement, no matter how small, in B&M presence?

There have been reports of several old line camera stores bringing Pentax back in. It was reported here but I don't remember the names.
There was the warehouse sale in Denver and then later the purchase by KEH of lots of 'open box' gear.
Pentax has been present in Target now, maybe only online only I don't shop there, but I think Ned was still on board when that started, though definitely post-Hoya
Wal-Mart has carried some Pentax gear online at least, I think this may have been clearance of inventory post-Hoya and Ned may still have been on board at that time.
Prices have gone up dramatically post MAPP pricing
Major online retailers seem more eager to advertise and position Pentax in their online newsletters and so on, but maybe that is just my impression.

That's all I can think of. Maybe someone else has more.

I don't think anyone can appreciate how far down Pentax reputation was with retailers unless you walk in and chat with some. I have done so several times and the answer was consistent, they used to carry Pentax and used to push it because it was not available in big box discounters like some other brands. Then Hoya changed the game so that they could no longer afford to stock the brand. The bitterness in their voices was plain as day and it will take a lot of rebuilding to get them to allow Pentax back in the door again. That's not going to happen over night or even in a few years. It may never happen.

[RobA_Oz]

Name me a country outside Japan where Pentax does have "store presence".

Perhaps our German members can give a broader picture, but I was a little surprised to walk into a big Saturn store in Berlin last year and see a very comprehensive display of Pentax cameras and lenses in the photographic section. I understand Saturn is a large chain in Germany, so I would think that might represent a nationwide presence, but others would know better than me.

[Uluru]

Perhaps our German members can give a broader picture, but I was a little surprised to walk into a big Saturn store in Berlin last year and see a very comprehensive display of Pentax cameras and lenses in the photographic section. I understand Saturn is a large chain in Germany, so I would think that might represent a nationwide presence, but others would know better than me.

Almost all dedicated photography gear shops in Australia have Pentax DSLRs.

Often just two DSLRs, a K30 and a K5, say, and a kit lens. Then somewhere a Pentax compact or a waterproof camera. Altogether one half of one shelf.

And such a sorrowful sight when you see, next to it, two huge displays, with 4 shelves each full of Canikon plastic and large thermos bottles (lenses).

[jatrax]

And such a sorrowful sight when you see, next to it, two huge displays, with 4 shelves each full of Canikon plastic and large thermos bottles (lenses).

Better than no display at all, though.

[wigelII]

Better than no display at all, though.

like in Belgium.

[Waratah]

Almost all dedicated photography gear shops in Australia have Pentax DSLRs.

Often just two DSLRs, a K30 and a K5, say, and a kit lens. Then somewhere a Pentax compact or a waterproof camera. Altogether one half of one shelf.

And such a sorrowful sight when you see, next to it, two huge displays, with 4 shelves each full of Canikon plastic and large thermos bottles (lenses).

Baby steps I guess. What 'is' disappointing is the general lack of enthusiasm and knowledge of otherwise sensible and informed sales staff. (April this year local camera store had the token K30, K5 and three or four lenses, however when I inquired about a k5ii ... tumbleweed and frogs croaked).

"Someone" needs to be relationship building with these shops, helping present the product, "Boy have we got a deal for you!" (Stands, posters, rebates, loan cameras, TV screens with outdoorsy Pentax stuff playing, printed reviews, buy a camera and maybe win a lens, etc etc.)

I sense that Pentax is technically "born again hard" but needs that marketing acumen to regain some momentum.

[RobA_Oz]

Baby steps I guess.
...
I sense that Pentax is technically "born again hard" but needs that marketing acumen to regain some momentum.

Arrested development, I'd say. The marketing of Pentax in Australia hasn't been invisible in recent times, but the in-store aspect has been neglected dreadfully. You don't have to be big to be visible. That "couple of shelves" can actually be used to great effect, if handled properly.

[climbertrev]

There have been reports of several old line camera stores bringing Pentax back in.

Interestingly enough, my local (UK west country) very high-class independent camera store (Mifsuds) has after a noticeable break started selling Pentax again (in a large range)

[beholder3]

[deleted]

[IchabodCrane]

There have been reports of several old line camera stores bringing Pentax back in. It was reported here but I don't remember the names.
There was the warehouse sale in Denver and then later the purchase by KEH of lots of 'open box' gear.
Pentax has been present in Target now, maybe only online only I don't shop there, but I think Ned was still on board when that started, though definitely post-Hoya
Wal-Mart has carried some Pentax gear online at least, I think this may have been clearance of inventory post-Hoya and Ned may still have been on board at that time.
Prices have gone up dramatically post MAPP pricing
Major online retailers seem more eager to advertise and position Pentax in their online newsletters and so on, but maybe that is just my impression.

That's all I can think of. Maybe someone else has more.

I don't think anyone can appreciate how far down Pentax reputation was with retailers unless you walk in and chat with some. I have done so several times and the answer was consistent, they used to carry Pentax and used to push it because it was not available in big box discounters like some other brands. Then Hoya changed the game so that they could no longer afford to stock the brand. The bitterness in their voices was plain as day and it will take a lot of rebuilding to get them to allow Pentax back in the door again. That's not going to happen over night or even in a few years. It may never happen.

Speaking of Target... I was in one yesterday and all I noticed for Pentax was an X-5.

[jatrax]

Speaking of Target... I was in one yesterday and all I noticed for Pentax was an X-5.

I have seen the WG line in store as well but I think most other cameras were an online only deal. I don't shop there often so I cannot say what they usually carry in store. I'm OK with the X-5 on display, at least it is a start. I would also like to see the k-500 there. I'm not sure if Target is my ideal outlet for k-5 type cameras though.