subject: Using Closeout and Liquidation Suppliers when you Start a Dollar Store [print this page] Using Closeout and Liquidation Suppliers when you Start a Dollar Store
If you are getting ready to start a dollar store there is one product avenue beyond your typical wholesale dollar store merchandise suppliers to consider. When properly managed this avenue can open the door to brand names and products you never believed you would offer in your store. It is closeout and liquidation companies. This process does take patience, investigation and experience to yield the best results. It is not a market to dive in without learning the basics and making a few test purchases. Yet when done properly this is a real win/win for both you and your shoppers when you start a dollar store.
Purchase merchandise you would never be able to offer if you buy through regular wholesale dollar store merchandise channels. Just make sure you know the actual types of merchandise you are purchasing. For example, is it part of an insurance claim for a flood and thus all of the items were submerged in water for weeks? Or is it salvage from a major fire and thus shows major fire and smoke damage as well as water damage? Fortunately there are volumes of great merchandise that is in good as new shape. Here are two examples of the types of items you might consider.
1. Brand new overstock and shelf pull merchandise.
As the name implies these are new, never used items that either never made it to the sales floor or were on display and were ultimately pulled and are being sold. Make sure they have/are in original packaging. Make sure there are no recalls, or other problems with the merchandise.
2. Spend even less and purchase customer returns. This isn't your typical run of the mill dollar store merchandise. Shrewd buying can result in name brand products often brands you would never be able to offer otherwise. Shrewd buying can also lead to products that originally wholesaled for many times your top retail pricing. It is the best of both worlds; name brand and outstanding products! However, with customer returns you must take the time to carefully sort and inspect to make sure everything is as good as original. Make sure to inform your shoppers as well.
When you start a dollar store it is important to shop for this type of merchandise with great care. Make sure you are dealing with a trustworthy merchant. Check into the items you are considering to make sure they are really saleable. It is also important that your new found merchandise appeal to your shoppers. No matter how great the deal and the pricing, if you can't sell the items once they arrive at your store, you have wasted time and money. However when the products are right they provide a great compliment to your regular dollar store merchandise.
