Who is in the Retail Business ?

[MarkPearson]

Is anyone on here in the retail business?

If not what type of business are you in?

[chris1317]

I offer a service but hope to move to retail too in the near future

Chris.

[MarkPearson]

To Chris

The same service but in a retail environment?

[Jayne]

I have a bakery/shop/cafe business, classed as retail also in a way.

Jayne :D

[chris1317]

Eventualy yes, the plan is to add a few products and start up the online shop with pesronalised photo gifts and then maybe later if I made enough money id like to open up a shop.

I have visions of big printers filling the floor and would maybe like to do reprographics too at some point but that is way in the future for now.

Chris.

[MarkPearson]

Jayne

Is that the same business you are currently trying to sell? If so how come?

How does it do?

.................................................. .......................

Chris

Its always good to have the next step of your business planned, how are you doing now with the online side of things?

[Jayne]

Hi,

Want to something different, been doing it for 12 yrs and need a change. I'm more of a night person and early mornings are killing me :lol:

Plus I don't want to deal with customers direct as much! We had one in this morning asking for leg over and chips, and after a while of the same comments, you feel it's time to move on. :D

Jayne

[chris1317]

The online business is doing ok, a little slow but its to be expected as im only just starting out. It seems I have no work for a while and then all of a suddden heaps comes through at once. I would prefer if it was more steady.

I am planning on updating the site when I get some cash together and have put a thread in the tenders section. I have a few replies but have not had time to reply yet. Need to sit down and write up a detailed spec to pass on exactly what im after (sorry guys il have it done soon im not ignoring you)

Jayne - I thought the customers would be one of the best parts of the job you do.

Chris.

[MarkPearson]

Hi Jayne,

Would you not do well to actually hire someone to run it for you? As you have over 12 years built up the trade etc...

Just a thought..

Do you actually have plans on the next type of business you would like to do?

Mark

[Jayne]

Lots of ideas, too many, cannot make my mind up :D

We thought about a manager, but cannot find one that can bake as good as Mark. Plus we need the cash to start another venture!

Jayne

[bitsnstuff]

I have an online shop, selling all sorts of products, but mainly gifts, wedding items, toys, etc.

Why do you ask? Do you have a specific question?

Kate

[chris1317]

Is your business making money?

If so it may be a good idea to keep it on as well as starting another unless of course you are sure the new venture is going to be a success.

Does Mark want to try something else too or is he happy doing what he is doing?

Maybe you could run one and he could run the other for a while until it takes off.

I dont think you need heaps of money to start a business or at least i hope not as im just starting out, If you have a good idea and sell it well then you may not need a large ammount of capital to start off with.

I suppose it depends what type of business it is, have you got any ideas what sort of business you want to get into(roughly)

Chris.

[MarkPearson]

Hi Kate,

I am asking who's in retail because its the business I am thinking about going into next.

I would like to hear how its going for people etc..

I am still unsure of what items to sell.

For me as a young entrepreneur I have always had a vision of me running a chain of branded stores (not particularly selling any specific product) but its my dream.

So thats my main reason why I ask.

Also im looking for a product/s

[Jayne]

Mark also wants to pack it in. We just want a change, something not to do with food! :D

All our money is tied in the shop, and we to start a new one with the money and have a little to fall back on. Plus it's the starting of a business that is the most exciting! I love to start something new and build it up, just get bored when I've done it. (This is our second shop by the way) We tried the seperate shop thing, it's just the same thing though (food).

Jayne

[SillyJokes]

I'm in online retail.

It's doing fine.

[Toon]

I have a retail clothing business. Been going for nearly 2 years. Started initially online. Now I have my own shop. I can't afford highstreet rates atm so I have a unit. Don't have a great deal of passing trade so I have to spend a fortune on advertising. I hope to be able to afford a more dominant premise in the future.

[fastfences]

Hi Mark.

You really need to identify what sector of retail you want to pursue. I think you should be focussing on what to sell/promote rather than how other people's businesses are performing. Some are good - some not so. The overgeneralisation of 'how is retail going?' cannot offer a definitive answer. There are far too many varialbles.

However, for those of us who are really proactive (and that seems to be most on this forum) business will always be good because we meet the challenges and offset the bad with a new theme, a new product, a renewed marketing strategy, or even a 2 day break for renewed inspiration.

There is no 'how is IT going?' There is always, 'How are WE going!'

Find your product or market niche, and in the words of NIKE - just do it!!

Cheers, Nigel

[winton50]

We have a couple of florist shops in the south.

I would be concerned that you are just thinking about going into retail with no clear idea of what you want to do.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that because there's a load of shops around that it's an easy way to make money - it's not!