6 Tips for Starting a Closeout Store on a Budget

Those who are opening a closeout store soon find that their shoppers are very good bargain hunters.  Your shoppers will be able to spot and quickly grab up the great values you offer while shying away from those offerings which are not quite so good.  Why not join your future shoppers and be a bargain hunter as you prepare and then open your new closeout store?  Read on for six great startup cost saving ideas.

    Used fixtures save you a bundle – finding lightly used store fixtures in the right quantity can take some investigation.  Some might even need to purchase used fixtures from more than one source to totally prepare their store for opening.  Yet the huge amount of money you can save using this tactic makes it well worth consideration.

    Consider substituting less expensive shelving for regular fixtures in part of your store – consider using warehouse pallet racking to accommodate the extra-heavy closeout items you may be offering in your store.  While these are much more utilitarian in appearance, they can certainly handle the load when it comes to extra heavy items.  Just make sure they are securely fastened before putting them to use.

    Leave an area in your store open without fixtures and maintain pallet-sized displays of bulk merchandise you locate to sell in your closeout store.  Not only do you save cash from the shelving you did not add, but you also make creating and breaking down these displays a flash.  All that is required is a pallet jack and an aisle wide enough to move the palletized merchandise onto the floor.

    Create an open area without fixtures and assemble some of the larger items you sell. If you intend to add furniture or chairs, they will sell faster when open and assembled.  You could also eliminate the need for purchasing and installing shelving if the area is used in this way.

    Shop for used merchandise handling equipment.  Purchasing a used pallet jack instead of a new pallet jack can save you a great deal.  The same goes for a used forklift.  The only difference is you save many thousands when buying used.  The good news is that there are huge savings on almost all of the major equipment and tools required for your merchandise receiving area.

    Buy used for all of the main equipment in your store. While you are at it, be sure to look for POS system or cash registers which are lightly used and much less expensive to purchase. 

The list is almost endless.  Examine your startup plans and start thinking about saving your cash for added merchandise and other startup expenses.  Become a bargain-minded store owner.