Those who open a dollar store realize there is a great deal of pressure to meet the grand opening deadline they have established. The list of tasks to be completed is lengthy. One minor slip, such as the late delivery of dollar store merchandise can put the whole thing in jeopardy. Yet often that is exactly what happens. A first-time order may not be processed and pulled by your new dollar store supplier in time to meet the shipment date. A freight hauler may have a sudden change in delivery plans. There may be a mix-up or communication error regarding the actual delivery date and time. Or, possibly so much incoming merchandise arrives that you are physically unable to handle the volume.
No matter what the problem, lack of inventory is a major issue. You are risking dollar store sales, dollar store profits, or possibly both if you open a dollar store without adequate inventory on display. Read on for some of your options should this happen to you.
If the shortage of dollar store merchandise is small, just spread the existing merchandise. In some cases this will provide a quick, easy and inexpensive temporary solution to the problem. This technique involves simply pulling all merchandise forward on display shelves. Next dollar store items with large quantities on-hand can be spread wider on shelves or peg hooks. This allows you to cover much greater area display on your sales floor with less merchandise.
Reschedule the grand opening for your store. If there aren't dollar store items to cover the inventory shortage, then your next step is to examine postponing the grand opening event until more merchandise arrives. Be sure to examine projected freight arrive dates, advertising deadlines, key events you have scheduled, and personnel scheduling as a part of this decision. Weigh all of that against lost dollar store sales and other costs associated with postponing the opening to make an informed decision.
Bring in extra help to complete the initial store stock work. If there is dollar store merchandise on location and the issue is simply one of receiving and displaying the merchandise, then it's time to rally the troops. Start by bringing in experienced temporary help to quickly get the job done. If you've hired employees consider using this experience as a means of providing hands-on employee training. If finances limit you, contact family and friends and pull together a work party. Stocking the store will be fun and before you know it the job will be done and you will be on your way to your first dollar store sales.
Another option to open a dollar store on time is to reduce the portion of the store you have opened until adequate dollar store merchandise arrives. If there isn't enough merchandise and none is coming soon, then another quick method is to simply pull everything out of one portion of your store, tape it off from access and stock the balance. Using this method you will meet your targeted grand opening day, and the dollar store sales can start rolling in.
To your success when you open 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.