RETAIL IDEAS FOR POST OFFICE

[iffy]

Hi, please offer some ideas on the title. I have just bought a post office in a high end residential area. Currently I sell birthday cards, packaging stuff, stationery and thats really it. I do not have space for a fridge or crisp/sweet stand. I do though have a quite a bit of shelf space and wall space that I can use. Please suggest ideas.

 

[BonnyclabberMugwump90]

The guy who owns the PO near me sells muscle supplements like whey protein. Maybe have a look at the organic ones if your market is high end.

What sort of people are your regulars? What have they bought from other shops? Where might they be going next?

ATB

 

[Martina Wade]

Gift cards for various things e.g. flowers, iTunes, amazon? Look at your nearby shops and see if you notice a gap in the market. Talk to your customers, ask if there's something they miss, or something they'd like to see.
Are customer mainly coming in for the post services or to buy other things?

 

[Twinkle Toes]

Never ask the customer what you should be selling. Never, never, never......

If you're having to ask others what you should be selling you probably shouldn't be retailing.

 

[Scott-Copywriter]

We really need to know what sort of demographic you get inside your Post Office before we can provide advice on the right sort of products to sell.

 

[LowPrices.uk]

High quality soaps?

 

[LowPrices.uk]

Quality biscuit selections?

 

[Vectis]

What's your profit on what you are selling at the moment? Because, if the profit level isn't high enough and you have to ask for ideas from outsiders as to how you can increase sales/profit, then why on earth did you buy the business in the first place?

Sorry to be blunt, but surely you would have thought this through first and have considered viable ways to expand the business?

So many small post office businesses have gone to the wall over recent years that having something in mind before you bought the business would be a necessity.

 

[14Steve14]

My local high street post office toyed with the idea of selling a range of home made products from local crafty type people. They would supply the shelf space and sell for a fixed percentage. The crafter had to maintain their stock levels and shelf space. They had cushions, soap candles, wooden toys, clocks cards and many other things that seemed to sell, and also give some outlet space to the maker. They also looked at it as supporting and helping the local community.

The only reason they stopped was because the business was sold and the new owner was not interested.

 

[Scott-Copywriter]

My local high street post office toyed with the idea of selling a range of home made products from local crafty type people. They would supply the shelf space and sell for a fixed percentage. The crafter had to maintain their stock levels and shelf space. They had cushions, soap candles, wooden toys, clocks cards and many other things that seemed to sell, and also give some outlet space to the maker. They also looked at it as supporting and helping the local community.

The only reason they stopped was because the business was sold and the new owner was not interested.

This is a very good idea.

 

[iffy]

Hi,

Thank you for all the reply's so far.
I have a big selection of cards/stationary attached to the Post office which does very well.
The client base of the post office is mainly mid - upper class people. I would say about 70% of the client base comprises of the 60+ age group.
Recently we added £1 pounder sweets to the stock - these sweets are doing very well. I was thinking of maybe adding more specialist type of chocolates/sweets that be had locally. I'm also thinking of adding a Yankee candles range to the shop.

Please make more suggestions and thank you so far.

 

[e-vulture]

It's pretty bizarre but my local post office sells bikes and solar panels. Yes, really, that's not a typo!

 

[Stuart Bailey]

what are businesses in the area not selling. Then sell those items.

 

[DontAsk]

what are businesses in the area not selling. Then sell those items.

First work out whether there is actually a demand for such items

Home made cakes can command an enormous mark-up.

 

[Graham Curtis]

Why not run an e-commerce site and hold stock at the PO.

Whatever you are interested in

 

[Steve Colledge]

Hi all

I run a lighting Powerhouse online retail outlet supplying lighting for domestic and trade customers, for both the home and office/commercial premises.

What are your views on lighting in the workplace? Is it important to get the right type of lighting for the area or is everybody still using standard Fluorescent tubes?

What about the cost benefits of upgrading to LED panel, tubes and bulbs?
What about places where "Accurate" lighting is essential, such as body shops, hair dressing salons and art galleries?

Does the initial cost outweigh the overall savings on electricity?

Would you consider upgrading ALL of your office lighting or as an when they need replacing?

Steve Colledge
lighting powerhouse UK

 

[Iancs]

Does that follow on Steve? Or are you suggesting Iffy should supply LED bulbs?! Good idea anyway... I'd buy some.

My suggestion is take away coffee for less than the nearest petrol station. You can do it with a small machine like waitrose do at the customer service desk.

 

[Hunnie]

My local post office has also become a 'Bargain Booze' !!
A bit down market for the op though.