subject: Is Your Store Format Crystal-Clear? [print this page] Is Your Store Format Crystal-Clear? Is Your Store Format Crystal-Clear?
Even choices of suppliers and the dollar store merchandise to display cannot be made until the final format is defined. To make matters even worse, in this day of changing formats (moving from the one-dollar price point to over one dollar, for example), there are even more opportunities for confusion. That confusion starts with the person starting the business and move right on through all of the employees. And of course if those associated with the business are confused, the shoppers will be too. In this article I cover some of the areas of your business to ensure align well to your planned store format if your goal is to achieve success with your business. Whether you are starting a dollar store or operating an existing store, the format must be clear to you. In fact this piece of the puzzle must be completed before anything else can be done. Your risk if you decide to move forward before the decision is made is missteps, confusion, and even the risk of business failure. So start there. Determine exactly the format you will follow. Just a few of the most important considerations as you make this decisions include:
Details about pricing. One-dollar format? Over-a-dollar format? What will be the price points for the dollar store merchandise items carried in inventory?
Departments and core merchandise for each. Your very success with your business rests on providing exactly the products your shoppers need and want. With you're the pricing portion of the format defined focus on make the decisions related to products and the core selection of items you will provide.
Dollar store merchandise suppliers. With a defined price-point, departments and merchandise products defined you next must begin to research and identify the potential suppliers that can provide the desired products. There are many additional decisions and actions required. Make sure your format is absolutely clear to you. Make sure it is also clear to all employees. Finally your shoppers, vendors and others must have no question about the format of your business. Make this a top priority during the early planning for your new business. Conduct research, examine the competition, and consult with your experts to make the best possible decision for your soon to open business.
