Study the Competition when Starting a Dollar Store

Many of those who are thinking about starting a dollar store never stop to think about the competition they will face now and in the future.  Instead, they make their plans without even considering this important data.  Then as they actually begin business they quickly discover sales are not nearly as brisk as they had hoped. 

As time passes they continue to spend more and more trying to keep their business open, all the time ignoring the competition.  While you may be lucky and survive following this startup plan, the odds are not good.  If you are starting a dollar store take the time to walk through a sound startup process.  Continually double check your competition and be on the lookout for new competition.  Become well informed about the products and services they are offering, as well as the marketing and customer service they provide. 

Use this information before you open to establish a solid business plan which includes appropriate business financing to cover costs as you are just starting a dollar store, and then on into the growth of your business.  Be sure to include an emergency fund to cover the unexpected.  Above all, really examine the competition you will face.  Study the strengths and weaknesses of each of those competitors.  Know where they threaten the very success of your dollar store business.

Plan the actions you will take to stay informed about the competition.  Then build those actions right into your startup plans.  Actions might include specific products you will be carrying, advertising or targeted marketing actions, customer service actions you will take, extra employee training you might provide, or other steps you plan to make the entire shopping experience in your store memorable to all shoppers whether they make a purchase or not.  Clearly define the action and then take those actions.

Today it takes strong preplanning coupled with sound management to achieve success in the dollar discount business world.  Your plan must clearly explain how you will excel in-spite of the competition you face now and in the future.  It must outline how you will be opening a dollar store which will successfully match the power of the dominant competitors.  It must also clearly state how you will excel in places the main competitors are struggling.  Your plan must be an outline with specifics about how you will become the store of choice for those who are in your target traffic groups.