It’s hard to believe just how much equipment is required to prepare, open and then operate a retail store. While much is determined by the size of the store, just as much is dependent on the sales volume you achieve. For example, a store with many square feet of sales floor area that is targeted to achieve only 2-3 inventory turns per year will see freight coming in at a fairly steady pace. A smaller store working to achieve 5-6 inventory turns on the other hand, will see a continual inflow of merchandise at a fairly quick pace. In this article I present 10 pieces of equipment required when you open a dollar store.
1) Cash Registers. A real necessity when you open a dollar store! The problem is there are so many to choose from. Be sure you don’t buy a basic model that can’t do the work you need done. If you choose not to have a POS system, then you are counting on getting sales by-department data and so much more from your cash registers. Take the time to become thoroughly familiar with all of the functions and the operation in general before your store opens. Don’t wait until there is a line of unhappy customers waiting to pay running from the front to the back of your store to discover no-one knows how to load receipt tape in an empty cash register.
2) Check Approval Machine. If you decide to accept checks, you’ll probably decide to complete some kind of electronic approval process. In some cases check approval machines can be replaced by your cash register or POS machine.
3) Credit Card Machine. If you open a dollar store you likely plan to accept credit cards. Then there will be a stand alone credit card machine – unless your cash register or POS system has this function embedded and is just waiting for you to put it to use.
4) Computer. Inventory management, merchandise ordering, generating schedules and so much more will depend on your computer. While some of these functions can be completed as reports from your POS computer (If you choose to purchase such a system.) there are so many other daily, weekly and monthly tasks that are made easy with a computer.
5) Printer/Fax Machine. If you have a computer you’ll need a printer. You’ll also find there will be incoming faxes from vendors and others regularly. Why not just purchase a multi-function machine to handle both?
6) Phone System. That’s right; you’ll need at least a basic phone system when you open a dollar store. You’ll have phones at the cash registers, in your office, and possibly other locations such as the stock room. You can plan on multiple lines to handle incoming calls, check approval, and credit card authorization, for online computer access, and other tasks.
7) Pricing Guns and Pricing Machines. Every store needs manual pricing guns. These simple to use tools make pricing incoming merchandise and changing prices on existing inventory effortless. As the size of your store increases, seriously examine purchasing a pricing machine. In a matter of seconds you can price hundred of price labels for incoming merchandise.
Hand Truck. Every store no matter how big or small needs a hand truck. In fact you’ll find the low investment in this one piece of equipment pays for itself over and over.
9) Merchandise Stocking Carts. There are a variety of options, but it is very easy to receive freight and immediately place it onto stocking carts. Then the carts can be pushed to the appropriate location on the sales floor for easy stocking.
10) Pallet Jack. If you open a dollar store that is doing any volume at all, you’ll want a pallet jack to help move incoming freight around. At the very least you’ll move pallets from the freight dock or landing into the receiving area. Once again this is a back-saving devise that only costs a few hundred dollars. Its money well spent! For bigger stores, invest in a forklift – you’ll be glad you did!
To your dollar store business success!
About the Author:
Find out how you can open your own dollar store business.
Bob Hamilton is an entrepreneur, author, writer, business consultant and trainer.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – 10 Pieces Of Equipment Required When You Open A Dollar Store
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