Be Realistic When Determining your Dollar Merchandise Mix

May 9
18:00

2011

Bob B. Hamilton

Bob B. Hamilton

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Those starting a dollar store must guard against making the wrong assumptions about the products to be carried. It is important to remember the products you carry are there to meet the demand of your customers. The better you are at matching the items offered both in type and quantity, the more likely you are to see success arriving for your dollar store business.

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It is one of the most frequently asked questions by those who are starting a dollar store.  That question: What products do I need in my new dollar store?  While there are some differences in the mix of products which do depend on where your store is opening,Be Realistic When Determining your Dollar Merchandise Mix Articles many of the principle products you carry will not change from location to location.  These foundational products include dollar merchandise such as household cleaning products, basic health and beauty items, and paper goods.  But many soon-to-be store owners decide to add their own spin on the items to be offered as they begin to make the initial wholesale item selections.

Unfortunately some who are just starting a dollar store lose sight of the need to have exactly the items shoppers are seeking when they arrive to start shopping.  Soon an unsuspecting owner with several small children and a small store which should have 24-feet of toys on display may see toys grow to take 72-feet.  Craft and scrapbooking items which should be delegated 8 feet in the same small space can soon grow to take 40 previous feet of space.  Then when the time comes to order the required foundational dollar merchandise shoppers demand, the amount of room available is limited – and so are funds.

As a result there are cuts into the depth and breadth of the selection of consumable products offered.  The store grand opening event takes off.  Many shoppers arrive in anticipation of a new dollar store in their neighborhood.  After the first rush of shoppers, lots of toys and craft items remain.  However, the all-critical basics are now sold out.  Liquid dish detergent is all gone.  Paper towels are all gone.  The list goes on.  Then as even more first-time shoppers arrive, they cannot locate the items they expected to see in a dollar store they thought to choose as their regular provider.

Those starting a dollar store must guard against making the wrong assumptions about the products to be carried.  It is important to remember the products you carry are there to meet the demand of your customers.  The better you are at matching the items offered both in type and quantity, the more likely you are to see success arriving for your dollar store business.

Always be realistic in the dollar merchandise choices you make when starting a dollar store.  While your ideas must be part of the equation, it is important to focus first and foremost on the customers you serve.