Are you preparing to open a brick and mortar store?
In a Digital Age where almost everyone is shopping online, and at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is keeping everyone at home, opening a store might look like the worst decision of all time. Of course, there are pros and cons to having a physical store, but there’s no doubt the retail industry is here to stay. As you push on with your move, there are essentials you need to get ready. In this article, we’re telling you important things you need before you open those doors.
Read on!
- Proper Business Signage
By now, you’ve already figured out your commercial space. You’ve also certainly set up the interior as required – the racks, shelves, and lighting, for example.
But have you thought about the exterior of the business? We’re not talking about painting the walls. We’re talking about installing proper signage to help potential customers identify your business.
You need signage with your business name on it. You can also include other pieces of important information, such as operating hours and customer care number or email address.
Business signage can make or break your business. While attractive signage will bring in more customers, poorly-designed signage can send them to your competitors. As such, don’t go getting generic signage. Get custom signage for your store.
- Point of Sale Solution
Before 2020, cash was already dying. The COVID-19 pandemic has surely driven the last nail on the “cash coffin.”
Today, consumers want to pay via plastic money. This means your retail store needs to have a point of sale solution that enables customers to pay for the goods electronically.
Here’s the thing. There are several point-of-sale solutions in the market. It’s your job to find the one that best suits the needs of your business and those of your customers. Research is your friend.
- Sales Staff
This entirely depends on the nature of your business.
If you’re starting a business that you can run effectively on your own, you might not need to hire sales representatives or other personnel to help you out. But if you’re starting a business like a coffee shop, you will need someone to work the coffee, and another one to attend to your customers.
Assess the operations of your store and hire the right workers before you begin your operations. You want to start out on the front foot, not handicapped.
- Website/Digital Presence
Creating a website might be the last thing on your mind. After all, you’re opening a physical store.
Well, this doesn’t mean you don’t need a website. Over 80 percent of consumers first lookup local stores online before making a physical visit. If your store doesn’t have an online presence, don’t expect to pull in as many customers.
Building an online presence starts with creating a business website. You also need social media accounts for the business.
Opening a Store the Right Way
In the past, opening a store might have been as simple as finding a space, stocking up the shop, and opening it for business. Today, things have changed significantly. There are several basics you need to get right before you open up. With this guide, you now know where to start.
Stay hooked to our blog for more retail business tips.
