Retail Store Ideas
Opening your own store is exciting, but it can be frightening or even overwhelming. Perhaps you have the perfect location, or you have come into some money you want to invest. Make sure your store provides something your community needs, so that even in hard times, you won't be subject to shoppers' need to cut back. You also want to provide a broad selection of products while filling a unique niche. You can tread that fine line if you plan first.
Consignment or Thrift Store
Starting a consignment or thrift store provides an ideal way to break into the retail market. By taking in the unwanted clothing and household items of your friends and neighbors and then going to yard sales, estate sales and other thrift stores, you could stock a lot of inventory for a relatively low price. Make your store bright and attractive. This sets it apart from a lot of thrift stores that look dowdy and full of "used" items. Think of a clever name for your store. If you want to take on larger stuff or encourage people to bring in "lightly" used items, buy them on consignment. This essentially means you sell the item for them and split the proceeds. This is a very efficient and inexpensive way to build inventory and expand into areas you are unsure about stocking, such as electronics.
Specialty Foods
A specialty foods store can be a great boon to a community or downtown area and offer much more than food. If you're a "foodie" or have a flair for cooking, opening a specialty foods store might be right for you. You can specialize in Italian ingredients or another nationality for which you have an affinity. A store like this can offer premade items only or supplement them with baked goods, sandwiches, meats and the like. Eventually, a specialty foods store can evolve into a catering business or restaurant.
Farm Stand or Garden Center
Plenty of large chain stores offer gardening supplies, plants and seeds, but you can enter the market by opening a "boutique" garden store or specialty nursery. Purchase plants from local farmers, or offer them on a consignment basis to save money on your investment. You can sell a variety of tools and garden accessories, along with local fruits, vegetables and dairy products. Expansion ideas include floral design services, a cafe, garden equipment rentals or small engine repair.
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