Are you old enough to remember when a decent-sized TV weighed more than seven stone?
If not, you won’t remember a time when the Panasonic Store was not a fixture in the heart of Inverness either.
The outlet opened its doors in December 2001 and has had no shortage of challenges since then.
The rise of internet shopping. The sharp decline of the high street. A global financial crash.
And more recently, a once-in-a-century pandemic immediately followed by a cost-of-living crisis.
Even Academy Street, where the Panasonic store has called home for nearly 23 years, is currently at a crossroads of its own.
Panasonic Store’s 23 years in Inverness
A lot has changed since 2001.
But store owner Michael Freeman has been there every step of the way.
He initially joined as manager, working for original owner Graham Begg.
When his boss and mentor retired in 2012, Michael became the owner himself.
Taking that leap was uneasy, knowing that the buck stopped with him.
But looking back now, Michael wishes he’d done it sooner.
He said: “We’re in a really good place now, the company is growing.
“It is a challenge. High street shopping has changed and people can now shop 24 hours a day, seven days a week online.
“But what you cannot get online is that real human interaction. I feel that is very much what people still want.
“It takes that bit of extra effort to shop local. But we really appreciate customers making that effort and we tell every single person who comes in that we value that.”
The expansion of the Panasonic Store
If you haven’t been through the door for a while, what’s on the other side might surprise you.
That’s because in 2019 the store struck a deal with Euronics, a major player in Europe’s electronics market.
It meant that in addition to the TVs, hi-fis and other audio equipment, it was able to branch into a different market entirely.
It’s no longer purely just Panasonic being sold.
And you’ll find a range of white goods like washing machines, fridge freezers and ovens.
Changing the local perception that it’s not just about TVs is another challenge – but a quick look at the firm’s reviews suggests they haven’t missed a beat since the switch.
Michael, again, puts that down to the human touch.
He said: “So many aspects of shopping are being dehumanised.
“It’s almost to the point where you can’t talk to anyone anymore. You have to go into a chat box.
“We’re the polar opposite of that.
“People often ask me what business I’m in. And it’s not the electrical retail trade.
“We’re in the business of people. Without that, there isn’t a business.”
The future on Academy Street
The Academy Street saga remains a big concern for Michael, 51, and his team.
Highland Council’s plan to drastically reduce the amount of traffic on the city’s main thoroughfare would have a big impact on how accessible the business is.
And going from 8,000 cars a day passing the shop window to 2,000 would also make them considerably less visible.
Michael said: “We’re not against change. Academy Street needs to be improved, there is no doubt about that.
“But it must not come at the cost of footfall and people entering the city centre.
“We have a bit of a challenge ahead of us there. Those little extra hurdles could impact or jeopardise the success of the city.
“And I don’t just mean our business. We are in a bit of unknown territory.”
Michael is optimistic about the general direction of the city centre though, particularly on his end of Academy Street.
And given the Panasonic Store’s resilient track record, the smart money is on them finding a way to thrive regardless of who ultimately wins the council’s tug-of-war.
Michael added: “I just want to keep it going. We’re 23 years in and there’ll be another 23 still to go surely.”
Read more about the city centre:
Inverness city centre: Track the empty and occupied units to measure the health of the high street
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