Surely SOMEONE on here has something positive to say?😆
I’ll start! I have a Bike shop, a motorbike (accessory) shop, yet there is SOME commonality…
Appreciative customers telling you as much, for me personally, the sourcing new products is especially enjoyable, and starting off, a few Wholesalers assisted us with consignment stock, which was near-instantly paid back, to maintain excellent relationships. Less laying out for stock, Wholesalers were eager to find new markets.
then we have had mostly awesome staff, some of whom have gone on to greater things after getting their start with us; we now pay 9 salaries every month, and make a modest profit annually. Hard work, but GOOD work.
a word of warning; you need to be PASSIONATE, and need to SUSTAIN that passion for many years, to make a success.
Customers ALWAYS seek out good service, at fair pricing.
The Web/Internet/online is playing an ever-bigger role, so that needs to be integrated - and well integrated - into bricks & mortar.
Finally, if you could turn Retail upside down/on its head, and do something REALLY different, I feel you would have a winner, but am unsure WHAT that would look like?
my 5c!
Good luck, whatever you decide.
