Retail business

January 6, 2010 by Admin · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Business 
v.padmanabhan asked:


Retail Business

Retailing consists of the sale of goods or merchandise from a fixed location, such as a department store, boutique or kiosk, or by post, in small or individual lots for direct consumption by the purchaser. Retailing may include subordinated services, such as delivery. Purchasers may be individuals or businesses. In commerce, a "retailer" buys goods or products in large quantities from manufacturers or importers, either directly or through a wholesaler, and then sells smaller quantities to the end-user. Retail establishments are often called shops or stores. Retailers are at the end of the supply. Manufacturing marketers see the process of retailing as a necessary part of their overall distribution strategy. The term "retailer" is also applied where a service provider services the needs of a large number of individuals, such as a public utility, like electric power.

Shops may be on residential streets, shopping streets with few or no houses or in a shopping mall. Shopping streets may be for pedestrians only. Sometimes a shopping street has a partial or full roof to protect customers from precipitation. On line retailing, a type of electronic commerce used for business. Business-to-business, (B2C) transactions and mail order, are forms of non-shop retailing.

Shopping generally refers to the act of buying products. Sometimes this is done to obtain necessities such as food and clothing; sometimes it is done as a recreational activity. Recreational shopping often involves window shopping (just looking, not buying) and browsing and does not always result in a purchase. marketing or financial support aimed at improving the performance of retail outlets.

Visions of magnificence can become cloudy once reality sets in for some entrepreneurs. The aspect that may lure you to your business concept in the first place, may become the thing you despise. If you are considering opening a retail store, the following highlights some advantages and disadvantages of retailing and can help you make an informed decision of whether or not retail ownership is right for you. Here are a few pros and cons of retail ownership.

Pros of Retailing and Business Ownership

Holiday sales figures



Research and assistance from trade associations



Satisfaction of building something from the ground up



Attending trade shows and buying events



Meeting new people



Having on hand exactly what your customers want



Cash transactions



You get to set all the rules



Selling merchandise you love and have an interest in



Creating a pleasant atmosphere and receiving compliments about your shop



Hiring and training wonderful employees

Cons of Retailing and Business Ownership

January sales figures



Large cash investment at startup



Long hours and little (or no) pay to start



Only vacation is attending trade shows and buying events



Meeting difficult customers



Not having what your customers want



Bounced checks



Having to do it all (marketing, buying, bookkeeping) yourself



Too little profit on the merchandise you love to sell



Finding damaged merchandise, empty packages and open food on your shelves



Firing and disciplining lazy or rude employees



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