home Magazine How to open a store in a shopping center: step-by-step plan. How to open a retail outlet on the market - advice from experienced people Open a retail outlet

How to open a store in a shopping center: step-by-step plan. How to open a retail outlet on the market - advice from experienced people Open a retail outlet

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Many small business entrepreneurs face a difficult choice - to open their own stand-alone store or rent a small point in a shopping center. Both options have their pros and cons. St. Petersburg entrepreneur Dmitry Ogorodnik also faced the same choice - he already had a separate store, but he also decided to test drive the “island” format in a shopping center. We think many small business entrepreneurs will find it useful his experience.

34 years old, entrepreneur from St. Petersburg, general director of the Karelshungit company, which manages stores and "Planet of Shungite". Education: Ryazan Institute of Airborne Forces. Dmitry Ogorodnik – author business blog , in which he shares his own entrepreneurial experiences. Until the end of 2016, the company had its own standalone store; In December, a retail outlet opened in the June shopping center.

Think about the design, make a good presentation

The advantage of shopping centers is that there is already traffic there. You won’t have to spend years getting people to know about your store’s location and start coming to you. You immediately gain access to a mass audience.

The first thing you need to understand: although you sign a lease agreement, in fact you do not need the lease itself, but access to the maximum number of people who “live” in a particular shopping center.

Therefore, you need to start by giving yourself the setting - your goal is not just to stand in some shopping center, but to find a good walkable place in any shopping center.

The first thing you need to do is create a presentation. Almost all shopping centers will ask you to send a presentation of your project; without it, your proposal will not be considered at all. The presentation should contain the following components:

Design of your store. You need to order it in advance, even before you start looking for a place.

Competitive advantages. Write why you are a great option for a shopping center. Here you have to use your imagination and come up with arguments.

Portrait of your target audience.

Planned average check in your store.

General information about your company.

The most important point is about design. Accordingly, you will need to find an agency that develops the design of retail outlets and stores. There are not many such agencies (at least in St. Petersburg), but they do exist.

You need to think about how the store will look schematically - i.e. how the display cases will be located, what kind of display cases they will be, where the cash register area will be, etc. If you don’t have any thoughts on this matter, then I advise you to walk around shopping centers and look at the points that are already operating. And take the decision you liked as a model.

Designers will then have to turn your overall design into a 3D rendering. This picture needs to be inserted into the presentation - 50% of the decision they will make about you depends on it. If you don't have a picture, decision makers simply won't be able to understand whether you will fit into the overall visual concept of their shopping center.

I want to warn you right away: if you want an “island”, then it’s better to immediately plan to make it out of glass and plastic. Not made of wood! Then there will be more chances that you will be approved. Shopping centers are very fond of plastic “islands”.

After the presentation is ready, you need to make a list of all shopping centers in your city. You need to contact every possible one. And then choose from what is offered to you.

Renting in all shopping centers is handled either by the contract department or the rental department. You need to find on the Internet all the contacts of rental managers from the relevant structures. Then call them, ask about available places, clarify work emails and send your presentation.

Be prepared for the fact that at first no one will answer you at all. After a few days, I advise you to call everyone again, remind them of yourself, and ask them to watch your presentation. If necessary, you need to call every 3-4 days - until you are directly told that “there are no places” or “you do not fit into our concept,” or they offer some options.

Let’s say you still wait for feedback, you are offered some options to choose from and are invited to meet with the manager.

And here is a very important point: before this meeting, be sure to go to this shopping center, and it is advisable to go at least twice - once on weekdays, the second time on weekends. Take a convenient observation position and count the traffic. Record how many people pass by your future store in 30 minutes or an hour. This will allow you to identify potential traffic.

Also study the quality of parking, access roads, competing shopping centers nearby, etc.

Read the contract carefully, bargain,
ask for rental holidays

Let's say they called you back, offered an option, you monitored everything and you are satisfied with everything. And then there is the signing of the agreement. But before this, as a rule, you sign a preliminary agreement or letter of intent (this is essentially the same thing). This document specifies the footage, amount of payment, terms of cooperation, etc. Negotiate before you sign. As a rule, you can always discount 10% of the advertised rental price.

You need to read the lease agreement very carefully, delving into each clause. Each shopping center has its own lease agreement. And very often there are a lot of different nuances “hardwired” into it, which can put you in a very unenviable position.

It is important that you are offered so-called rental holidays. Usually this is a month, maximum two. This is the time for you to prepare commercial equipment and equip your outlet. If there is no clause in the contract about rental holidays, then be sure to ask about it!

If everything in the contract suits you and you have signed it, then it’s time to put into production the equipment of your outlet - according to the approved design.

Do not forget that very often the designers themselves have access to various production facilities - and can advise you on a good contractor. If your designer doesn’t know anyone, then Google and Yandex will help you - there are plenty of companies that make equipment, choose based on price-quality ratio, and don’t forget to monitor reviews.

Start hiring salespeople
order acquiring, equip the point

While the equipment is being manufactured, simultaneously start the process of hiring salespeople. This is not a quick task; it may well take 1-1.5 months. In our experience, this is exactly how long it takes to find competent sellers.

Then you immediately need to submit an application for registration and installation of acquiring. It happens that they also delay it - until they give you a terminal, it may take a couple of weeks.

Request your copy of the contract as soon as possible. The administration of the shopping center can delay this - for example, send it to its directors and departments for signature. And you will need it in order to install a cash register. It will need to be ordered from specialized companies and registered with the tax authorities.

And at the same time you need to purchase commercial equipment. In our case, this is jewelry - so we ordered tablets for rings, earrings and other products.

All installation work is carried out at night, so you will need to submit a request for installation of equipment in advance.

If you did everything correctly and carried out all processes in parallel, then your outlet should start operating soon.

And now - our experience

When we opened our first “island” point, there were doubts. We launched it as a test format. Someone said that islands are not a format that will suit jewelry. Like, no one approaches them, no matter who you ask, everyone’s wives avoid them. Allegedly, this in itself is a zone of discomfort - you stand and choose, and people walk by.

On the other hand, in 2011-2012 I myself worked on the “island” - and sold well. People come up, are interested, and buy. So I thought it was necessary to at least try. Even if it doesn’t work out, rent isn’t that expensive, and you can still make a profit. The main thing is to understand whether the format is suitable or not.

So, we opened our first “island” in the St. Petersburg shopping center “June” in December 2016. The first month we worked to zero. For us, “zero” is 260,000 rubles of turnover.

January 2017 got off to a rocky start. For the first eleven days, our turnover again went to zero. I walked around very upset. It seemed that this would continue to happen. There were thoughts that, no, the “island” format is really not for jewelry.

But after the holidays the situation changed dramatically. Sales went up. As a result, January was closed in the amount of 417,000 rubles. And this is already net profit - over 150,000 rubles. For us, this is an indicator that the format makes sense.

And we closed February at 750,000 rubles. According to intelligence data, we have overtaken our closest competitors, who have been trading silver in the same trading center for nine months. Their maximum turnover at this place was about 600,000 rubles in December.

Our net profit in February was around 300,000 rubles. This is significantly more than our expectations. This means that we can definitely say that this is a working format, and we will promote it.

Now they have already begun to look for a new place for the second “island”. Once we have fully worked out the format, we will start working on the franchise. But this is the future.

A small business can be started with a small retail store. In this case, the risk of bankruptcy is minimal, and this starting option will be the most optimal.

And this article will help answer questions about how to open a retail outlet from scratch, where to open it, how to choose the right range of goods sold, organize a pricing policy and keep records correctly.

To begin with, the amount of starting capital is determined and the products sold are selected. A search is made for suppliers whose conditions are favorable and convenient for those opening office work. At the first stage, it is recommended to select related product groups.

When opening a retail outlet in public places - in a market or in a shopping center, registration of an individual entrepreneur will be required.

Moreover, the optimal choice of the system by which taxes will be paid to the state is important. The most common tax system is the simplified tax system.

The selection of the location where the retail outlet will be located is carried out very carefully. Competitors' stores should not be located in close proximity to the opening outlet.

Having decided on the location, you can agree on the cost and rental conditions. When concluding a lease agreement, you should pay attention to the possibility of early termination.

Purchasing commercial equipment to create the appearance and design of the store will greatly affect the loyalty and trust of potential customers.

Hiring a seller is mandatory so that the businessman has time to deal with other organizational issues. The friendliness of the seller and his good guidance in the assortment will affect the success of the retail trade and its profitability.

Price policy

The cost of the proposed product should be thought out depending on the capabilities of the target audience - whether it will be a budget product designed for a large part of the population, or an elite one.

At the beginning of office work, you can organize an exhibition with a minimum markup to attract potential buyers and create a client base. At first, only a refund of the money spent is guaranteed. But there will be no significant profit, even with a large markup, due to the irregularity of sales.

It is preferable to choose an intermediate price setting option. To set the optimal markup for the products sold, it is necessary to analyze the prices most often set in the sales region, it is necessary to study the pricing policies of competitors and adjust the prices of an open outlet from scratch.

Automation of retail sales

At the initial stage of office work, it is important to promptly obtain reliable data on its active state. To do this, it is advisable to automate this business by selecting a functional accounting program.

Purchasing expensive software products is not justifiable for a small company due to the associated purchase and maintenance costs.

Online accounting systems do not require installation; they are basically Internet applications that do not require downloading or updating. Their capabilities:

Organization of sales at several points;
Using the seller interface to register a sale;
Generating reports by shift and for the selected period;
Creating and printing documents;
Automatic and manual assignment of discounts;
Carrying out cash and non-cash sales;
And other.

Such programs provide data on profitability, profitability of a retail outlet, cost and volume of goods sold, trade dynamics, balances and movement of products sold, the state of non-cash and cash funds, income and expenses for certain items.

Typically, business people prefer to open a small store selling retail goods at the very beginning of their business. This is correct, since the risk of losing a large amount is minimized. This option is ideal for a good start. If you decide to open a retail outlet, then you need:

know how it's done;
choose a suitable location;
correctly plan the entire assortment;
set prices
maintain proper records.

How to open a retail outlet

First of all, you need to decide what the starting capital will be. It is important to know what products will be sold. After this, you should start looking for suppliers who offer the conditions that will be the most profitable and convenient for you. It is also good to prefer those products that are related.
Have you decided to open your outlet in a large shopping center or market? You must be registered with the tax authority. Choose the right method for paying taxes. The simplified tax system is an ideal option for retail trade.
You must be very careful when choosing the location where your retail outlet will be located. It's worth checking out what stores are nearby. It is very good if there are few competitors. If you have already decided, then you need to find out how much the rent will cost. When you enter into a contract, do not forget about the mandatory clause that will allow you to terminate it early.
The equipment you purchase must be appropriate for your location. The appearance of the point of sale and its design is very important. Buyers pay attention first to these parameters, and only then look at the assortment.
The seller influences the profit margin and the success of the entire trade. It is important that he is truly experienced. Such a person must have excellent knowledge of the assortment. His friendliness is no less significant.

Prices. How to set them correctly

The target audience (its specific capabilities) has a direct impact on prices. It is also necessary to take into account the specifics of your product. It can be elite or budget. If you are just starting your business, then it is better to keep the markup to a minimum. This will help attract buyers. But you need to immediately prepare yourself for the fact that at first you will only get back what you spent. But don’t think that a big markup will provide a good profit. In this case, sales will occur quite rarely.

It is important to choose an intermediate pricing option. You need to find out what level of markup on the goods you sell will be optimal. It is also worth analyzing the prices that are usually set in a particular region. It is also important to study the prices at which products are sold in the stores of your direct competitors. Make appropriate adjustments.

Working with clients

Principles of automating your sales

You need to have a clear idea of where your business is at the moment. Writing everything down in a notebook won't help you see the whole picture. Also, you will not be able to decide on the direction in which you need to move. The ideal option is trading automation. To do this, you need to choose the right accounting program that has all the functionality you need. There is no point in buying newfangled programs in stores. They are expensive and also require maintenance which can be detrimental to your business.

Today there are convenient systems that allow you to keep records online. They do not require installation. You will always be aware of everything that happens in the sales field. At the same time, you can relax, be on a business trip or do something else. “Big Bird” is a system in demand today. It was created as a regular application on the Internet. That is why no downloading or updating is required. System advantages:

You can organize sales at several points at once.
The seller interface is ideal for registering sales.
You can generate reports for the required period in shifts.
Create and print all the documents you need.
Assigning a discount manually or automatically.
Carrying out non-cash and cash payments with each buyer.

You will clearly know the amount of profit and revenue received. You will know how profitable your company is. You will be aware of all sales dynamics, ongoing movements of goods and available balances, the status of all cash and non-cash funds. Expense and income transactions will become as transparent as possible.

If you prefer to automate your trade using Big Bird, you will have the opportunity to use printers and barcode scanners for convenient printing of labels and receipts. This will make it easier not only to record sales, but also to keep all records.

If you are a beginner entrepreneur, then using the system will be absolutely free for you. At the same time, the time is completely unlimited.

If you decide to open a retail outlet, be sure to take into account all the details. The success of your business depends on you.

A point on the market in the dashing 90s was considered a profitable and prestigious business. You could call yourself a businessman or entrepreneur, get up at 8 in the morning, when factories in the country were already working at full speed, and earn as much as your energy would last. Over time, the demand for market goods began to fall. This was facilitated by covered pavilions, tents, and departments in supermarkets and hypermarkets. Essentially, the goods have moved under the roof, where it is dry and warm. The buyer, having bought a low-quality product there, knew who to contact to replace the defective product or return the money. And these are difficult times for market traders.

Does it make sense to open a retail outlet in the market?

Those who have worked in the market for many years, and some even decades, say that trading is addictive, and work quite quickly begins to shape your new lifestyle. Trading requires a certain type of character and qualities that you cannot do without: communication skills, entrepreneurship, and an analytical mind. And, of course, you must be able to count well and quickly. No matter what difficulties market traders encounter, this type of activity still brings money, and the owner of the outlet himself determines how much time per day, week, month he will work. So, there is a certain sense in trading on the market. When you are your own boss and boldly manage your time and finances, it is always pleasant.

Tips before...

You still have time to bargain, so you shouldn’t rush headlong into market relations. First, you need to resolve several important issues. Decide what you will sell. It doesn't have to be clothes, shoes or food. You can also sell services, for example, repairing shoes and boots, making keys for locks, or mending clothes. Whatever interests you, do it. Is the child growing up? Trade children's shoes and clothing. Do you like to eat delicious food? Sell food products. Do you like gardening? Sell seeds, seedlings, vegetables and fruits. The main thing is that you enjoy the process. In addition, there is a small plus: you can always use goods that were not sold on time.

Now regarding the markups. There is a simple rule: the greater the turnover, the lower the markup, and vice versa. Money must work, be constantly in circulation. Only on cheap small things you can throw 200-300%. In general, previously all over the world, on average, they traded for 10% profit. And this was considered the norm. Now everything has changed. The margin percentage has become much higher. That is why when you buy two products you will be offered a third one for free. It is not difficult to calculate how much the seller makes.

Do not sell goods that are already overstocked on the market. Firstly, they will not sell well, and secondly, you can have a serious conversation with your competing neighbors. Since we are talking about them, we must honestly note that no one is waiting for newcomers in the market with open arms. All spheres there have already been divided, so “a place in the sun” will have to be conquered. It is important to find good suppliers to purchase goods at a low price. The greater the difference in wholesale/retail costs, the greater the opportunity to reduce the price if the product suddenly does not sell. It is also necessary to take into account such a factor as seasonality. Some products are better purchased in the summer, while others are more actively sold out in the winter. Plan your assortment to make a profit at any time of the year.

Some useful tips

One of the main figures in the market is the administrator. It can influence various events. He wants it, and your point will be in the most passable place, and if he doesn’t like it, you’ll trade in the outskirts. Therefore, you need to be friends with the administrator. This person will help “resolve” difficult situations. He can create them for you if you don’t find a common language. If you have already decided which market you will trade in, do some research. Walk around the market, see where people are mostly crowded, and see if there are any empty seats there. Talk to the merchants about topics that are important to you, but do not admit that you are going to trade here.

At first, stand behind the counter yourself. This way you will get to know the market better from the inside, see what the daily revenue will be. In the future, if things go well, you will not be able to do without a seller. But never trust them. These are the kind of people who will gladly cheat not only customers, but also you for company. Therefore, occasionally you need to check them, sending reliable people under the guise of buyers. These could be your relatives, friends, acquaintances. Let them see if the seller is raising prices in your absence, pocketing the difference, or cheating buyers. Otherwise, the seller needs to be changed. Don't be afraid to experiment and offer new products. Prepare for the holidays in advance and thoroughly. If things go well, you can make a month's income on such a day.

Organizational aspects

So, you have thought about everything and are ready to trade on the market. It's time to meet the administrator. Introduce yourself with a smile and ask if there is free space. If the answer is positive, find out the rental price and inspect the place. By now you should already know its approximate cross-country ability; it was not in vain that you went on reconnaissance. If the conditions suit you, you can draw up an agreement. You shouldn’t immediately count on a “bread” place. Life in the market goes on as usual, someone comes, someone leaves. Over time, you can improve your conditions. The main thing is to try not to quarrel with anyone.

The second step will be going to the tax office to obtain a work permit. There you will be advised on what documents you need to provide to become an individual entrepreneur. While the permit is being issued, you can start selecting an assortment of goods so as not to sit idle. Think about the appearance of your retail space as well. Even if it is small, but tastefully decorated, buyers will immediately appreciate it, because most of them are constantly at the market, so they will immediately notice the new point. When the permit is ready, show the administrator all the documents, pay the rent and get ready for the working day. Don't forget to give a bonus to the very first buyer. He, like his first love, is remembered for a lifetime.

When you have a salesperson, set him a small fixed salary, and make the bulk of his earnings dependent on revenue. This will be a great incentive for your assistant. The seller must have a good understanding of your product in order to help the buyer with professional advice, be polite and courteous. Your profit will depend on many factors, all of which need to be taken into account. Experts say that if a market outlet is organized correctly, the initial investment in it will pay off within a year. So, everything is in your power. Good luck and prosperity!

Mikhail Vorontsov

The information is relevant for those who are planning to open a store in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and other CIS countries and the world. All features of starting an enterprise are universal for different areas.

In this article we answer the following questions:

How to create a store from scratch, and how much does it cost?
What type of outlet is better to choose?
Where to start, how to draw up documents and equip a retail space?
How to attract customers and make a stable profit?

Winning option– choose the type of product related to your professional skills or hobby.

For example, a person who understands technology will be able to organize its sale, correctly assess the needs of customers and know how to present this product. Cosmetics or clothing stores are traditionally run by women who are passionate about beauty and style. It’s easier to form an assortment and organize work with those things that you understand.

If you approach the choice of direction purely for commercial reasons, then you should open an enterprise of any type that is in demand in a certain place. If there is nowhere to buy pasta in a residential area after nine in the evening, the best solution is your own 24-hour grocery store.

The nuances of opening a store, or factors to consider when choosing a market niche:

1. Seasonality of business. Many types of goods sell better during a certain season (winter clothing, some sporting goods, etc.). Decide on the seasonality of your business and think in advance about ways to get money during the off-season.

2. Competition. When deciding on the type of product, it is important to choose a location without direct competitors nearby. Or offer the buyer something that a competitor does not have. For example, adjacent to expensive boutiques in a shopping center, it is worth offering a good assortment of youth clothing and accessories at a low price.

A grocery store near a supermarket cannot survive with the usual assortment. It is better to specialize in the sale of confectionery, meat, household essentials, etc., that is, to narrow your niche.

3. Be very careful with your ideas., which have no analogues. On the one hand, such a business, in the absence of competitors, will receive maximum profit. On the other hand, the lack of competition may mean that such products are not in demand.

Step 2: Store Name

You need to start preparing for the opening with the name. This is a small thing that should be taken care of in advance. When writing a business plan and planning expenses, be sure to take the sign into account. And its cost directly depends on the name.

Main requirement– adequacy and attractiveness of the name. It should explain to passersby what is sold inside. If you want to take an original name, then add a specialization to it (grocery, construction, clothing, etc.)

Step 3: Business Plan

If you are not sure whether it is worth spending time on this, cast aside all doubts. This is a step-by-step guide on how to open your own store, plus an extra opportunity to look at your business from the outside: assess the risks and benefits.

Mandatory points of a business plan

Summary(where the enterprise is located, what it does);
Market and competitor analysis;
Organizational aspects(registration of an enterprise, obtaining the necessary permits and licenses);
Marketing plan(how will you stimulate sales, what advertising to use to attract and retain customers);
Assortment and pricing(what categories of goods will be presented, their cost, brands);
Production plan(arrangement of premises, communications, division into zones);
Technical base(equipment, manufacturers from whom it is profitable to purchase);
Organizational plan(staff and work schedule, salary level);
Possible risks, and how to deal with them. This paragraph implies a description of a “pessimistic” option for business development. A pre-prepared strategy will help cope with possible difficulties;
Financial plan(how much money will be required to open a business, calculate potential profits, calculate payback).

Step. 4: Search for premises

Own premises for a store are very rare, so in planning we focus on rented space. Common placement options: the first floor of a residential building or office building, space in a shopping center, a separate building. The last option is the most expensive and not always practical.

The best place is on the “red line”, that is, facing a road with a lot of traffic. Whether in a residential area or in the city center, this is an ideal way to receive “random” buyers who were just passing by. Below are the basic conditions when choosing a location, or where it is best to open a store.

Availability. No confusing alleys on the way to the establishment, it should be easy to find and easy to see from afar. Huge advantages are the availability of nearby parking and advertising signs.

Positioning(customer-oriented placement). Different locations are suitable for each type of product. Small grocery outlets are popular in residential areas, souvenirs - in entertainment centers, luxury goods are best sold in the city center, stationery - near schools, universities, and business centers.

Properly selected room area. Space must be used rationally so as not to overpay for extra square meters. But some businesses require a lot of space.

For example, a small boutique of gifts and souvenirs needs 20 sq. m, a clothing store with fitting rooms will need at least 40 sq. m. The area of the retail space ranges from 20-100 sq. m. m depending on the selected type.

Adequate rent, corresponding to the price level. For example, expensive space in a shopping mall is unprofitable for a thrift store. On average, the rental cost is $8-11 per 1 sq. m. m in residential areas and remote places, $15-20 per 1 sq. m. m - in the center.

Important nuance– it is worth paying rent for six months to a year in advance (this will go towards capital investments) to ensure the work of the company in the first months, until trade begins to generate large income. Otherwise, with a frantic monthly search for money for rent, there is a risk of going broke.

Step 5: Arrangement and renovation of the premises

You need to rent an area and start developing the site before receiving most of the permits. Most authorities require a lease agreement in the package of documents, and also check the readiness of the premises for work.

Requirements

Mandatory conditions for all trading floors:

Having an evacuation plan, fire alarms, fire extinguishers;
Availability of heating, electricity, air conditioning, running water(not necessarily for all types of sales, important for food);
When renovating during finishing, painting, cladding, use moisture-resistant and easy-to-clean materials. Floors must be smooth, without cracks or potholes;
Compliance with consumer rights. This includes control scales for food outlets, the presence of a complaint book and a consumer corner (sales rules, company contact details, etc.);
The layout of the space should be simple for the buyer, without impeding movement in the hall.

Placement permission and when to get it

This certificate must be obtained before repairs begin. This is a kind of expert assessment from Rospotrebnadzor on whether it is possible to start sales in the selected location. If the site is not suitable in many respects, then money for repairs will be wasted. Receiving an expert assessment takes 2-3 weeks. If you contact a special law firm, the cost of registration will be $150-160.

On average, cosmetic repairs and decoration premises with an area of 50-70 sq. m cost 1500-2000 dollars.

Step 6: Business Registration

What documents are needed to open a store? First, officially register. The simplest option is an individual entrepreneur, it is faster, cheaper and less hassle with accounting. But, for example, only an LLC with an authorized capital of at least a million rubles can sell alcoholic beverages.

How to open an individual entrepreneur?

A certificate of registration of a legal entity must be obtained from the local tax office at the registration address. It is worth deciding on the taxation system in advance (OSNO, USN, UTII).

Documents required for tax purposes

Your passport(for foreign citizens - international passport) and TIN. If you do not have an individual taxpayer number, it will be issued along with the certificate, it will take 4-5 days longer;
Application on form P21001 (For Russia). One of the important points of the application is the choice of OKVED codes. They may differ for each type of store, but the common subsection for all is: 47 – “Retail trade, except trade in motor vehicles and motorcycles.” It is recommended to select as many suitable codes as possible so as not to have to worry about “pre-registration” later. Extra codes do not affect the activity in any way;
Receipt, confirming payment of the state fee ($12);
Application for transition to a simplified taxation system if it suits you. Otherwise, OSN is written by default.

The tax office issues a receipt confirming receipt of documents. After five days, the application will be reviewed; if the answer is positive, the entrepreneur receives a certificate of registration with the tax service and an extract from the Unified State Register of Individual Entrepreneurs (USRIP).

Together with them, they are issued a notification about the assignment of statistics codes from Rosstat, a certificate of registration of the entrepreneur in the pension fund at the place of residence, and a certificate of registration in the Federal Compulsory Compulsory Medical Insurance Fund. Otherwise, you will have to issue these certificates separately.

After this, you need to open a bank account and make a stamp (up to $15). A seal is not required for an individual entrepreneur; usually a signature and the mark “B/P” (“without seal”) are sufficient.

Step 7: Selecting Suppliers

Main selection criteria:

Experience and reliability, reviews from other buyers;
Range. The most convenient supplier - from whom you can purchase a maximum of different products. Pay attention to recognizable products from well-known brands, they sell better;
Convenience of calculations. Various bonuses, discounts, deferments. It is difficult for a beginner to find a supplier who will agree to provide products with deferred payment. However, it is worth trying to negotiate according to the “50/50” scheme; you pay for some of the goods immediately, and for others after the sale.

You should look for suppliers on the Internet, newspapers and magazines, and at industry exhibitions.

Step 8: Shop equipment

Common equipment items for all store types:

Racks, counters, display cases - about $700. Good manufacturers - Mago, Neka, Rus, Fabrik Art;
A simple reception for picking up purchases – $150-300. Showcase Plus, “Trade Equipment”;
Cash register – $150-250. Orion, Mercury, Elwes-MK.

The total cost for equipment will be $1200.

An important point is to connect the possibility of cashless payment (acquiring), this will increase the number of customers and reduce the risk of encountering scammers. You need to contact the selected bank, where they will formulate the terms of cooperation for you (mainly, the amount of bank commissions) and install a POS terminal. On average, the commission is 1.9-4% of the transaction volume.

The lower the company's turnover, the higher the commission the bank requires. For cooperation, a certain deposit amount is required in the current account.

Step 9: Recruiting staff for the store

For a small grocery or flower shop, two salespeople are enough (the work schedule is “weekly every other week”) and a cleaning lady. A construction or clothing store should hire a sales floor administrator (consultant), a cashier, and a cleaner. It is recommended to outsource accounting to save money.

The most important person is the seller. In addition to the standard qualities of a good employee and sales skills, the employee must be in the right place. Simply put, match the store. For example, lingerie is sold by beautiful women, and building materials are sold by older men and women who inspire confidence with their experience.

The ideal way to stimulate the seller is a percentage of the proceeds. But if you put an employee entirely on a percentage basis in a new place, you can lose him and provoke a high staff turnover.

It is best to form a minimum salary (for example, $200-250) plus a percentage of monthly revenue. Cashiers and cleaners receive a fixed salary.

Step 10: Formation of assortment

This includes product display and interior design of the store. Take the time to learn the basics of merchandising or hire a specialist to do the initial display. Among the general rules are:

The product must be placed conveniently for the visitor, in easily accessible places. Those products that need to be sold first are placed in the most visible place;
Use price tags to stimulate sales. Highlight promotions and discounts in large letters and bright colors. For expensive products, place the price so that you have to look for it and turn the item in your hands, appreciating all its advantages;
Separate things for convenience into categories and mark them with signs or stands;
Interior decoration and atmosphere should be set up to buy certain things. Proper lighting, background music, pleasant smells - all this influences visitors.

Step 11: Security

Ensure the safety of your company. The minimum set of security equipment is an alarm system, a panic button, and a video surveillance camera. Purchase and installation costs start from $200, maintenance costs start from $50 per month.

Step 12: Opening a Store and Advertising

Turn the start of work into a promotion with music, competitions, distribution of gifts and advertising booklets, discounts, etc. Then customers will want to come back to you.

Periodically arrange sales and promotions for customers. Discount cards for regular customers work well. For building materials, clothing, and toys, distribution of printed advertising through mailboxes is suitable.

Create a unique offer and colorfully design your flyers. Printing 5 thousand copies will cost approximately $100.

Step 13: Risk Assessment

Before starting a business, you should evaluate all the risks and benefits. What do you need to know?

pros

An established point of sale is a source of stable income. A company in a good location and with a wide range of products will always have customers.
If necessary, a trading enterprise can be easily sold as a ready-made business.
Quite a simple calculation system.

Minuses

Large investments in business and high level of competition.
Remains of unsold products that have to be written off or sold at a discount.
Seasonality of some types of trade.
The risk of losing up to 80% of your investment in the event of an unfortunate turn of events.

Let's consider the features and nuances of opening stores of various types. Based on the previous points, the minimum cost of registering a business, repairs and equipment, rent and advertising is approximately $8 thousand.

Clothing store

Area - from 50 sq. m.

Costs of opening a clothing store

Mannequins and busts, torsos (about 10-15 pieces) – approximately $500;
Full-length mirror for the sales area – from $50;
2 fitting booths with curtains + 2 mirrors – $200-250;
Hangers and racks for clothes -$300-400;
Electronic product protection system – $1400;
Barcode scanner – $100-150;
Printer for printing barcode labels – $400-600;
Purchasing things six months in advance – 10-15 thousand dollars.

The total investment in the business will be 20-25 thousand dollars. Markup – from 50-400%.

Important details: large assortment (at least 1000 units), availability of popular sizes, sale of related products and accessories (handbags, wallets, hangers, jewelry, belts, etc.). Regularly hold sales and promotions (“third item free,” “discount on second purchase,” etc.).

Lingerie store

15-25 sq.m. is enough. m. The list of equipment differs from the previous type of outlet only in the type of mannequins. You will need special bust hangers, “hangers”, “legs” for tights and socks, etc. Demonstration of goods on mannequins and torsos works well. You need to invest at least $13,000 in opening.

Good and popular lingerie brands: Incanto, Lormar, Milavitsa, Agent Provocateur, Victoria's Secret, Calzedonia, Passionata, Rosme. The best demand is for products in the mid-price category. It is necessary to create an assortment for women, men and children in order visitors made purchases for the whole family.

Grocery store

Required area – from 30 sq. m. Additional equipment and costs:

2 Refrigerators – 1100 $;
Shelving for vegetable spreads (vegetable box) – $150;
Product racks- 600 dollars;
Printer for printing barcodes and labels – $400-600.

In total, together with the purchase of goods, capital costs will amount to 13-15 thousand dollars.

A grocery store needs a warehouse to store food. There are also special requirements for such companies.

To obtain a work permit from Rospotrebnadzor, you must comply with the conditions of SanPiN 2.3.5. 021-94— “Sanitary rules for food trade enterprises.” All standards, GOSTs, etc. are spelled out here.

Products must have price tags, weight indications, and a good shelf life. Products with defects are sold separately, with mandatory notification of the defect. Be sure to have scales.

Company employees must have health records, work in a uniform with a hat, have a badge indicating your name and position.

Children's clothing store

Selling clothes for children will require the same opening costs as a regular clothing store. Mannequins need to be purchased for children.

The amount required is around $17,000-20,000. It is important to decide on a price category (the best option is medium), and sort the products by age.

Commission shop

Area 50-60 square meters.

Peculiarities

There is no need to look for suppliers, people hand over their things themselves;
The size of the company’s commission for the sale of used products is 20-50%;
There are no problems with unsold balances. The owner takes back items not sold;
It is best to locate a second-hand clothing store in a densely populated residential area;
Unlike a clothing salon, you don’t need a lot of expensive mannequins, just a few torsos, busts, and hangers are enough.

To open a thrift store on your own, you will need to spend approximately $9,000-10,000.

Auto parts store

The required room size is from 60 square meters. m. The equipment you will need are counters, racks, and a cash register. The investment amount starts from $12,000, including the purchase of spare parts.

The secrets to the success of this business

It is better to specialize in one or two car brands, but provide spare parts for the entire model range;
Sell accessories (mats, scented keychains, etc.);
Salespeople must be knowledgeable in the device of the car;
Select several suppliers for each product group so as not to keep customers waiting. By collaborating with official dealers, you will increase trust in the company and will be able to officially use the brand logo in your advertising;
Offer a home delivery service.

Flower shop

Area from 20 sq. m. The sales area needs shelving, a table for packaging and arranging compositions, stands and flowerpots for flowers, ideally a refrigerator to maintain the desired temperature.

In addition to flowers, packaging paper, baskets, gift ribbons, bows, transparent cellophane, mesh, felt, and tape are purchased as consumables. Small tools you will need are scissors, wire cutters, a glue gun, and floral knives.

Investments in equipment and the first purchase of cuttings – from $12,000. To begin with, it is worth working with local wholesalers; with good promotion, it is recommended to buy flowers from capital and foreign suppliers.

Nuances:

Organize individual sales of flowers and ready-made bouquets and arrangements;
Flowers must always be fresh, so you need to learn how to correctly estimate the volume of purchases;
Diversify your assortment with gift cards and soft toys;
Having created a thematic website, an entrepreneur can start designing custom-made holiday celebrations.

Draft beer store

Required space – from 70 sq. m.

Necessary equipment

Racks with taps and beer barrels;
Coolants and defoamers;
Snack counters.

A complete set will cost approximately $2000. About two thousand more will be needed to purchase 10-15 types of beer, 100 liters each. In total, the opening will cost about $13,000.

Secrets of sales organization: an assortment of 10-15 types of drink and the availability of snacks in packages and by weight (crackers, chips, fish, etc.) are required.

Hardware store

Area – from 60-70 sq. m. In addition to standard equipment and counters with shelving, demonstration stands are needed. Warehouse space, packaging and delivery services are required. Capital investments in the enterprise will amount to 16-20 thousand dollars.

Most popular products: finishing materials, tools, paint and varnish products, plumbing. It is best to place a retail outlet in the city center, near major roads and intersections, markets, and shopping centers. The markup on products is 25-40%.

Franchise store

Using a franchise is easier than starting from scratch yourself. Obvious advantages: working with a well-known brand, assistance in the design and advertising of the company. In fact, this is the acquisition of a ready-made enterprise.

Minuses: quite high cost of the franchise, monthly deductions from sales, purchase of products from strictly defined suppliers. The initial payment is 5-10% of the total investment in the business, the monthly royalty is 6-10% of revenue.

The price of a franchise of a well-known brand is rather high, but there are companies that are ready to help you open a business under your own name for a minimal fee. This is done with the aim of deep integration into the market, promotion of certain manufacturers from whom franchisees purchase.

You can open any business with a franchise and make a good profit. The average cost of a small business is around 6-7 thousand dollars.

To open a store on your own requires good investment and legal knowledge or the help of specialists.

In your calculations, always include an amount for unforeseen expenses, never work “back to back” so as not to go broke. The trading enterprise pays for itself in a year or two and begins to generate good income.