New Retail Unit Not Doing Too Well

[Bob700]

I know it's very early days and I've only been open for 2 weeks but I'm not doing too well, so much so I have had to pay the rent mostly out of my own pocket, I was out and about yesterday with a sample case targeting independant shops in Glsgow who might go for small bulk amounts,but again no joy. A lot of my fellow traders advised me that it takes a few weeks for people to actually start buying. If anyone needs help with big orders give me a shout as I have all the time in the world.

[purpledragon]

Hate to say it bob but i think even a few weeks is optamistic and this wholly depends on what marketing you have done. Ive been in our shop for 18 months and if i depended soley on shop orders id be closed now 90% of my trade comes through the internet . I dare say now that you are finding that everyone wants a peice of your hard earned for one reason or another have you had the power companies on the phone to you yet ? i didnt get any work done for the first couple of weeks because i was fer ever answering the phone to power comnpany agents heres a tip dont use any of the agents go straignt to source ie scottish power or who ever your chosen provider is, you will be told constantly by cold callers that you are paying too much dont believe em in fact when you do get taht ask how they know how much you are paying that normally foxs them you will also get this with phone companies. Regarding marketing leaflets are a waste of time experts say its only a 2% success rate with leaflets local news papers work to varying degress word of mouth is second to none and by far your best advertising medium so dont upset any customers. there is also the internet face book is marvelous for advertising if you havnt got a page for your business get one asap but dont pay for it thats another con. and heres another tip charitry shops suprisingly are a great source of jobs as tehy always seem to have a function of some sort or another and always seem to want t shirts for their do
good luck mate

[GoldRapt]

Fingers crossed for you bob

[jennywren]

The climate for any body, long standing ones or new ones like yours are all finding it hard. Hopeful Christmas is near and there is always extra work there. Purple dragon has given you some good advice. When I first started I use to work nights then work all day. I had three months rent ect put away before I started, then every penny went to pay bills, did you not any money put away for this. They say that no business does not make any money in the first year and that is true. If it was that easy everybody would be doing it. You don't say what sort of orders that you can help with, it might be worth mentioning it as the forum members might need help with orders. Is it just sublimation that you do. Also it might help to have a look at your business plan to see if there is areas that could be improved. If they walk past your shop, then possibly you can stand outside handing out your flyers with special offers, this also helps with mental attitude as it makes you feel that you are doing something and the cold can stop you from thinking negative thoughts, I've some of best ideas handing out flyers, and people chat it could give your some idea of what they want, or what you are lacking.

[WorthDoingRight]

Well Bob, the good news must be that Halloween and Xmas are just down the road and that hopefully that will be a better time for you (and the rest of us also).

[mrs maggot]

bob, call up a local small radio station it needs to be the smallest of the small community radio station, offer them a competition pack of things, see if that will get them mentining you on the radio.

2 weeks is no time at all, i thought you had the deal on a nothing to pay for 3 months at least deal ???

get hold of your local chamber of commerce - let them know you are there, and you can help them who does their plaques / promo items etc, you need to network like mad with local businesses, etc to get your name out there and it will take months, but hopefully you are as others have said heading into the busier time of the year, what does your shop front look like ?? too many displays ?? interesting article in the market times mag, about the business advisor that got the printing guy to remove over 40% of his shop front items as it was too cluttered, he now moves the displays around every two weeks, so he is using the same amount of items but moves them to keep the shop front looking fresh.

[Paul]

really bad to hear that
But as WDR said is xmass and halloween round the corner so do something in this direction...
I hope you selling mugs too!
If so PM me and i send you link to my halloween templates for free. to help you in halloween direction!

[Paul]

really bad to hear that
But as WDR said is xmass and halloween round the corner so do something in this direction...
I hope you selling mugs too!
If so PM me and i send you link to my halloween templates for free. to help you in halloween direction!

[phoenixalpha]

Hiya Bob, sorry to hear about things not going too well. Are you up in the Savoy or setup somewhere else?

[socialgiraffe]

Some excellent comments and advice on here and a few more for the book that might help

I note that local newspapers constantly have photo competitions (best baby, pic of the week etc etc). I would suggest approaching the local rag and say to them that you would like to sponsor a weekly competition with the prize being a couple of mugs or a photo slate etc. etc. In return you want a feature about the new shop opening up and also a small advert in the paper each week.

You could also try local interest groups and clubs. Print up some leaflets (which cost nothing with someone like Vistaprint) with special promotions for their club. Scout and Guide groups are always looking for deals on tee shirts etc. Camera clubs might like some of the more specialist photo bits n pieces that BMS sell (love those slates). In a previous post somewhere I also mentioned targeting local DJ agencies asking them to circulate a leafet offering a uniform deal for all their DJ's etc etc.

Lastly, I got my daughters school photo recently and was amazed at the outrageous prices for some of the tat they sell. They did give me the option to buy the digital copy so did that instead and printed my own tat for a fifth of the price. You could try printing a leaflet and simply hang around outside school gates at home time and pass the leaflets to the parents as they stand there. I would suggest you leave your black mac at home for that particular leaflet drop... LOL!!!

Although I know nothing about shops I do know that marketing and spreading the word is the key and that will be relelntless at first. But you just need to get out there. It would not surprise me if it will take another three-four months before you start to see any real gain.

If you want help with your leaflet then post it up here and we are all here to help by commenting on what is good and what is not. Nothing is personal as this is the nicest forum I belong to, there is a genuine feeling of helping each other.