Starting a Dollar Store Requires the Right Equipment and Supplies
Starting a Dollar Store Requires the Right Equipment and Supplies
Those who are looking for how to start a dollar store often become overwhelmed right from the start. After all, starting a dollar store requires so many steps. Each step must be taken in the right order. Forget a step and you may jeopardize your startup completely. Fortunately many of the actions are very straightforward. They don't require a master's degree in business or years of retail experience. All that's required is to read, ask questions and learn. Take in all the information and develop your own plan. Follow the plan and you are well on your way to knowing the secrets about how to start a dollar store.
In this article I present some of the small but important details about which equipment and supplies to have when you first open for business. While this list is not the final list to meet the special needs of your business, it does provide a great place to begin as your prepare for starting a dollar store.
* General Equipment and Supplies
o Dollar store merchandise
o Gondola fixtures and displays
o Slat wall (or Pegboard in some cases)
o Slat wall hooks (Pegboard hooks if appropriate)
* Checkout area Equipment and Supplies
o Checkout stands
o Cash register(s)
o Credit card machine (if not part of your cash register system)
o Telephones
o Plastic T-Shirt Bags
o T-Shirt bag stand (1 per cash register)
o Shopping bags (Gift card size, and larger purchase size)
o Tissue paper (To wrap breakable merchandise when sold)
* Miscellaneous Equipment and Supplies
o Price gun and labels/stickers
o Hand shopping baskets
o Shopping carts
o Open/Closed Signs
o Hand Truck(s)
o Pallet jack
o Fork Lift (If appropriate)
o Back room storage racks/shelving
When starting a dollar store there will be many other items to add to this list. Be sure to develop a layout for your store as early in the startup process as possible. Include specialty areas where extra displays, shelving or counters may be required. Don't forget to add everything associated with security for your business as well. This will include cameras, monitor, mirrors and more.
While it would be nice to have every single piece of equipment and absolutely all of the supplies for your store, you will realize that not everything must be in-place to move forward with the grand opening.
To your success as you discover how to start a dollar store!