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One of the often overlooked dollar store cost cutting opportunities is associated with who does the work when it comes to many of the items carried in your store. Most dollar store business owners fail to realize vendors are often willing to do some of the work if only they were asked. Sure there is a level of trust required to allow someone to enter your store, and then remove outdated items and finally stock the shelves with dollar store merchandise. Yet with a few simple safeguards the risk is small, and the labor savings can be significant. The result when you start a dollar store; your shelves are stocked, your labor costs are reduced and your dollar store profits grow. Read on as I provide 8 potential items that are perfect for vendor stocking when you start a dollar store. #1) Candy – Many local candy distributors operate with representatives who will visit your store on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. They are there to take orders, but what about suggesting they assume straightening and stocking duties? Whether it’s the sales rep or a driver, work to create a deal that includes the new products being stocked. If one company won’t, keep looking. #2) Chips – Chips sell. Yet the dollar store cost associated with labor can certainly impact already tight dollar store profits. Negotiate with local distributors for larger orders, lower pricing and work to have them complete all initial stock work. #3) Soda and Beverages – When you start a dollar store you will discover most companies selling soda and beverages will gladly negotiate coolers and stocking as a part of their contract with you. They don’t want outdated items being sold, so many will also help remove outdates as a part of their service. #4) Produce – Produce is another dollar store merchandise category that has a very short shelf life. Once again it is important to look for local providers to support your dollar store business. These companies may be willing to pull dated items and stock new items for you. #5) Bread – Bread is a high turnover item with a short shelf life. Your bakery rep will be in your store frequently to keep quality bread ordered. Why not negotiate for them to pull outdates and/or stock incoming merchandise? Most will at least agree to help as you are first setting up to start a dollar store. #6) Pastries – Just like bread, pastry items have a very short shelf life and must be replenished frequently. Negotiate for the supplier to complete as much of this work as possible. #7) Nuts and Snacks – Many smaller companies carrying nuts and snacks will provide stocking services to your dollar store business at no extra charge. Once again you need to keep calling until you find the right dollar store merchandise and the right agreement. Keep looking until you do; your dollar store cost will decrease and your dollar store profits will increase if you do this correctly. #8) Specialty Items – Once again it is local companies and live representatives to the rescue. Negotiate for them to complete stock work as a condition of larger orders or seasonal orders with their company. Many will be agreeable to supporting you in exchange for that big order you make with them. The dollar store merchandise listed is all generally very high in volume and tight for margins. When you start a dollar store you need most of these items, yet they generally prove difficult to generate a dollar store profits. Anything you can do to reduce dollar store cost including labor is a good thing for your dollar store business. The perfect solution is negotiating for vendors to assume the stocking duties. Even if they won’t agree to do the work with every order any support they provide reduces your labor costs. To your dollar store business success! Find out how you can open your own dollar store business.
Bob Hamilton is an entrepreneur, author, writer, business consultant and trainer.
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