Take Control of Your Dollar Store Startup Costs
And that is just to prepare and open for business.
There are concerns about preparing your location, locating and purchasing the right store fixtures, and of course there's also the important task of locating and purchasing the right dollar store merchandise.
It is likely there is also a long list of tools and equipment you know you will require to actually open and then properly operate your new store.
In this article I focus on some of the key behind the scenes equipment and a tactic to reduce the amount you pay for that equipment.
Just what constitutes behind the scenes equipment and tools? These are the equipment and tools used primarily in material handling.
These are the key equipment and tools used to properly handle your dollar store merchandise.
Without them you would be hard-pressed to keep up with the inflow and outflow of items offered in your store.
Forklift - No forklift planned for your dollar store startup? Then in most cases you must either have a loading dock or pay extra and order delivery in truck equipped with a lift gate.
In fact, with the added cost of a lift gate truck charged by many freight companies you may soon find your business is money ahead to go ahead and make that forklift purchase.
Pallet Jack - Talk about a relatively inexpensive investment; pallet jacks can save you from heavy lifting.
They make moving and positioning pallets loaded with dollar store merchandise a breeze.
Hand Truck - There's not an easier way to move a small stack of merchandise cartons than with a hand truck.
They are easy to handle, very maneuverable and take little room when not in use.
Stocking Cart - Checking in and pricing incoming merchandise can take a bit of time.
Yet if you have the right tools such as stocking carts, items can be ready to go on display as soon as they are priced.
Simply push the cart of the proper aisle and start stocking the sales floor.
Don't forget to always fill carts with like merchandise.
If the first box includes toys, make sure as many toys as possible are included.
Then move to the closest aisle to toys as the next dollar store merchandise to add in.
The result is there is no need to push stocking carts all over the store.
Ladders - There are a variety of ladders available.
They make climbing and working above the floor safer when the right practices are followed.
Learn the safe methods and adhere to them at all times.
If you are about to undertake a dollar store startup you are likely looking for the best deals possible.
That includes all of the tools and equipment required to properly handle the merchandise you offer in your store.
When it comes to relatively inexpensive items buying new probably makes the best sense.
Focus your shopping on sale pricing.
However, as the price rises start looking for lightly used.
In many cases used equipment is similar to buying a new car; the instant you own it and drive it off the lot the car depreciates.
As a result there are some great deals to be found - just take your time and shop with care.