When you’re opening your first store, there’s a lot to think about – from your branding to the legalities of running a shop, entrepreneurs need to be meticulous in their planning. There are many components to setting up the store itself too, so that everything needed to make the business a success is close to hand.
Signs
If no-one knows what you’re selling or where your store is, you’re not likely to get any visitors, so signs are a necessity. Both outdoor signs that direct customers to your location as well as interior signs that help people navigate your store to find what they’re looking for are a beneficial addition to your décor.
Display Cases
Presenting your products in the right way is vital when you’re opening your first shop – you need to entice customers to want to make a purchase. But not only do display cases provide you with a great way of showing off items, they also serve double duty by protecting the items as well. Perspex retail displays are the perfect solution as they’re hardwearing, durable and impact-resistant, so they’re well-suited to being used in public spaces such as retail stores.
Mirrors
Depending on the type of products your store will be selling, mirrors can be hugely beneficial. They enable customers to see the items they’re considering – larger mirrors are great for clothing while smaller mirrors are perfect for accessories such as jewellery or hats. They also have the added benefit of reflecting light and making a space appear larger, so they’re a brilliant addition for smaller stores.
Shelving and Storage
Every business needs to have more inventory than what is being displayed in the store itself, so when you’re setting up your first shop you should allow space for shelving to store extra items. Whether it’s in a back room, a warehouse or just behind the counter, make sure you have room for additional supplies.
Shipping Materials
If you’re offering products online, you need to be able to ship them in a protective and professional way. From boxes and protective wrapping to envelopes, stickers and tape, make sure you have everything you need to safely and securely send your products to your customers.
Carrier Bags
There’s a wealth of choice available when it comes to choosing the right bags for your business, starting with the decision of whether to choose paper or plastic. Paper is a more environmentally-friendly choice and looks great, while plastic offers a wide choice of colours and designs.
Baskets or Trolleys
Whatever items you’re planning to sell, from clothes to DVDs or ornaments, you need to provide customers with a way of carrying their chosen items around the store with them before purchasing. Netted baskets are often better suited to clothing stores while metal baskets provide more stability for heavier items. And don’t forget that you’ll need a storage area to keep unused baskets in at the front of the store as well so customers can pick one up when they come in.
Keep Pens Available
When your customers make their purchases with a credit card, more often than not, they will need to sign the store copy receipt. Keeping an attractive looking jar or basket at the register counter filled with pens will be handy, but having those pens branded with your business logo will be beneficial. Allow your customers to take a pen, or several, as they will keep your business and image in their minds every time they use it. Staying in the front of your customers mind means they will remember you, your business, and increases the chances of returning. Plus, the cost per impression for promotional pens is 1/10th of a cent, so it is a very affordable means of promotion.
