Running a dollar store can be a great deal of fun. There is so much variety, and there is always something happening. Yet there are also some tough decisions to be made. Among those decisions is what dollar store merchandise to carry, where to display a newly arrived load of seasonal goods, what staffing levels to schedule for the upcoming weekend, and much more. All of these decisions can have a big impact on the final results for your store.
One of the toughest decisions to be made is associated with properly responding to disappointing sales results in one or more of the departments in your store. In this article I present handling under-performing departments. We will examine 5 different questions to ask is you are faced with a department that just can't seem to gain sales momentum.
Right product mix?
The first place to look is the dollar store merchandise mix you currently have on display in the under-performing department. If sales were previously strong and they have dropped, examine any changes in vendors, products, or even popular products that somehow are no longer being ordered.
Are the proven best selling items still in stock?
Running a dollar store requires constantly being in-tune with the market place. It requires carrying the dollar store merchandise that is currently in demand. Check your problem department to make sure all of the proven best selling items are always in-stock and available for your shoppers.
Are you carrying adequate quantities of today's new, best selling items?
As shopper tastes change, dollar store merchandise that wouldn't sell all of a sudden becomes you biggest seller. It might be a seasonal product, an item that is being advertised, or something that shoppers have all of a sudden discovered. It is your obligation to maintain adequate inventory levels of these best sellers. If not, sales will suffer.
Are the right core products in-stock at all times?
Virtually every department has a core set of products your customers need on a routine basis. They expect to come to your store for these items and to always find they are in stock. Know these core products for every department. These must-have products must always be available - always maintain an adequate inventory.
Are the products customers are asking to have added in-stock?
Always stay attuned to the tastes and demands of your shoppers. Their tastes will change. By staying linked to them and listening to their feedback you can maintain the right inventory levels of the right products to maintain and even grow sales in every department.
