How can a small (3-5 employees) brick and mortar/e-commerce B2C retailer survive and thrive in an increasingly competitive market (outdoors/sports products) when it cannot compete on price? Any good examples of small companies doing just that?
[more inside]
posted by Foci for Analysis
on Apr 15, 2013 -
5 answers
In my town, there's a Shell station on one corner of the intersection. On another corner of the same intersection, another Shell. There're also two Woolworths right across the street from each other, and two Pizza Huts. Why? Does anyone out there have any idea? I mean, any ACTUAL idea, not just supposition? Maybe someone who works in marketing, or urban planning? Also, are there any resources I could read that explain these kinds of business decisions? I've looked online and can't find any information. Thanks very much.
posted by staggering termagant
on Jan 8, 2013 -
19 answers
A friend owns a children's boutique in NYC. She recently confessed that business has been tanking. She overbuys, she doesn't do any sort of inventory management, she has no online presence (apart from a neglected Facebook page). What advice would you give her?
posted by lgandme0717
on Oct 20, 2012 -
18 answers
Assume I'm starting an e-commerce selling (retail, brand-y stuff) sports apparel and equipment. How should I design the product numbering and barcode system if I want to manage products, shipments, inventory, and warehouse locations?
[more inside]
posted by Foci for Analysis
on Jul 20, 2012 -
7 answers
What do we need to do to prepare for and take fullest advantage of an upcoming magazine article that's going to feature our small, family-owned retail business?
[more inside]
posted by webhund
on May 20, 2011 -
11 answers
I own a retail store, and want to open a second location in another city/state. I need help from people, but I'm not even sure what people. Help!
[more inside]
posted by CommonSense
on May 20, 2010 -
4 answers
How can I sell my band's album online? I'd like to use software hosted on my own server so that someone can pay me and get a digital download.
[more inside]
posted by ejfox
on Jan 25, 2010 -
5 answers
How do I price my product for wholesale? I currently have a product that I've been selling myself online, but have recently began getting wholesale inquiries from brick and mortar stores. Is there a formula for determining the price to extend to stores?
[more inside]
posted by billyfleetwood
on Dec 30, 2009 -
5 answers
What are the internal business processes I should concentrate on when evaluating a clothing retailer? What are some questions I can ask the owner to help me identify where the processes could use some improvement?
[more inside]
posted by ttyn
on May 23, 2009 -
4 answers
What are best practices for assigning SKU numbers to products? And is there a book that covers the absolute basics of inventory control?
[more inside]
posted by wam
on Jan 10, 2009 -
8 answers
Specific questions, and general advice and suggestions, on purchasing a very prominent, locally owned, retail business.
[more inside]
posted by anonymous
on May 28, 2008 -
4 answers
Why would a retail chain want its stores to discard unsold clearance items rather than donate them to a charity that can use them?
[more inside]
posted by IndigoSkye
on Aug 2, 2007 -
27 answers
Has anyone had experience opening a small shop as a business? What are the pros/cons of such an undertaking? If you have, please share a bit of the highlights and lowlights of the endeavor! (more inside)
[more inside]
posted by BrodieShadeTree
on Jan 5, 2004 -
11 answers