Open spice store, pls help!

[da-technic]

Hello everyone! I opened 1/2 years ago spice shop. I have no mentor! So sales is not good! I fought back rent and is a little on the life and development. Created an online site spice shop , developing it. Tell me what to do if the customers in the market is not much, but i realy need to sell. I've made promotions - 3 +1 free ,made 10% off cards! Explain me pls , how up sales? Was thought impassable spices to cafes and restaurants, but they buy them for the same, or even better terms.

 

[Thinehost]

Well, maybe you need to do what these guys are doing - but in a workshop ...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/programmes/b0394f74

Sell spaces in a "spice" workshop to show people how many things can be improved, altered using spices.

One lady local to us made up individual kits for traditional curries with instructions on the best way to make them.

Another lady, Cherry Menlove, has made a business zing by writing about her life and I believe she may do workshops, teaching people how to bake - ah, I've found the link on her site - http://picketfencebaking.com/cupcake-decorating-courses-and-classes/ - the only thing about her site which I don't particularly like is that the images seem to load slowly.

You may already have thought about these things :O - but in the meantime, I wish you luck.

Margaret

 

[antoine82]

Jacksparrow, please get out, go pollute others forums with your ads...

You manage to give the same answer, whatever the question!

As for the OP, why did you in the first place decide to sell spices? Have you seen a gap in the market? Who are your customers? What's your added value? How do you advertise it?

 

[Mayor]

I suppose a glance over the original business plan may be wise ?

 

[da-technic]

I chose this niche because I like to cook. Niche market - empty, few people actually preparing with spices, I want to correct this situation, because everywhere in the world are prepared with different spices and seasonings. Who are my customers? This is the first lady, as well as the men who love to cook, men and women from 20 to 50 years. The added value of the goods composes 300%. I still move forward to a retail store and online store.

 

[da-technic]

Yes, the business plan was good, but the situation has changed, as the business plan I translated from another language, and under our mentality, he was different, I changed a lot in the process, and now the plan development with restaurants and cafes, but I do not know how to reach them.

 

[ethical PR]

Find a local freelance marketing/PR person who understands the food market and your potential customers and get them to help you develop and implement a one year plan.

If you know restaurants can get prices at the same prices as you, why are you pursuing them as a target audience.

Have you taken your products out to the market for example selling at farmer's markets, partnering with the local WI?

As has been suggested put together kits for Indian, Chinese, Thai, Mexican, Carribbean meals with recipes. Market as Christmas gifts?

Have you put together a tailored package for restaurants?

Review your marketing strategy and budget - engage your existing customers, look at what works well and do more of it, if your activity isn't bringing in customers then don't do it, identify and build relationships with new ones.

 

[BelindaChong]

When I am away on holiday, tasting foreign food, I usually try to buy packs containing the spices for a dish I have eaten. For example in Greece this summer I was able to buy packs of mixed spices for different Greek dishes.

But I love cooking, and my family love trying different dishes. On the radio yesterday they were saying that even though we love to watch cooking programmes we still cook the same dishes at home. I would try to make it as easy as possible for potential customers by making packs of spices with cooking instructions on the back.

 

[venkatram]

Find which local media helps to increase your sales and advertise the same using banner image. Try to use social media sites FB and twitter for better reach.

 

[da-technic]

Thanks for the tips! Be sure to make additional changes to the labels that people would have been more convenient! Mini recipe.

 

[da-technic]

Yes, I now began very actively advertise on Twitter and I'll tell you what the effect really is! People began to visit the site, leave your e-mail and phone! This is a very good idea! The main thing every day to do news that people would read and share!