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So you are opening a dollar store. What was once a quiet and easy existence has entirely changed. Now the problems and questions seem to be endless. What are the tasks that need to be completed to successfully open your store on time? How much will all of it cost. What will your dollar store sale levels be after first opening for business? How can you build those sales even higher? As the questions come up be sure you are writing them down as a part of your start-up plan. Be sure you are also developing a sales plan devoted to maintaining existing sales and growing from there. Read on for some great low-cost ideas to build sales for your business. Idea #1) Advertise in your community newspaper. You don’t need to spend an arm and a leg to gain exposure. A small, simple advertisement that runs in every issue will draw attention and then results over time. Be sure to mix it up by changing the ad every 3-4 weeks. Focus on informing potential local shoppers about your store, the products you carry, where you are located, hours of operation and other information they need to know. Then periodically insert ads for holidays or events or special merchandise you carry Idea #2) Start working with neighboring businesses to develop shared advertising programs. This can take two entirely different directions. First you can develop an event and share the costs of promoting that event. Second you can each identify a giveaway or discounted item and exchange promoting to your customers. Focus on getting the word out about your store and where you are located rather than making instant dollar store sales. Your real goal is to get new shoppers to come in for a visit just to check out your business. Idea #3) Invest in radio and/or television advertising. When opening a dollar store you will discover that wisely done, a well thought out and executed television or radio advertising campaign can pay huge dividends. This is not an inexpensive strategy, so carefully track the results. Be sure you develop a campaign focused on both immediate traffic and longer-term traffic and added dollar store sales for your business. Idea #4) Celebrate the seasons. After opening a dollar store you will find shoppers will look to your store for many of the items they need to celebrate the seasons. Be sure you carry items appropriate to each. For example, in spring be sure to carry a good assortment of gardening tools, gloves, plant seeds and other similar items. Repeat this for each of the seasons to build sales year around in your store. Think about painting your store windows to reflect the seasons. You can also simply post banners noting the various new arrivals – just have them facing toward your parking area. Idea #5) Celebrate the holidays. Stock up and sell at each major holiday throughout the year. This follows the same basic idea as celebrating the seasons. Simply bring in appropriate items for each major holiday. Decorate your store, paint your windows, add banners, and don’t forget to add printed inserts into shopping bags. There is really an almost limitless list of low-cost methods to get the word out to remind shoppers about upcoming holidays. Then sit back and watch as your dollar store sales and profits grow. To your success when opening a dollar store! Want the best ideas to earn from your dollar store business? Check out "Tactics to Add Streams of Income to Your Dollar Store Business" at www.OpeningADollarStore.com.
Bob Hamilton is an entrepreneur, author, writer, business consultant and trainer.
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