I'm Planning a Shop - Help Please

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Comments

  • ninjaslim
    ninjaslim Posts: 243
    Good Luck - Survey Done
    Most businesses fail from a lack of working capital.
    That means they do not have enough money to build the custom level from zero to sustainable.
    I.e. start with money not debt
  • racingcondor
    racingcondor Posts: 1,434
    I'll be doing the survey shortly.

    I think it's a great time to do something like this, cycling on the rise, the economy starting to move the right way and the rise of MAMIL money means the opportunities for bespoke must be out there. Best of luck.
  • symo
    symo Posts: 1,743
    Pumpkin Positive wrote:
    AchillesLeftKnee wrote:
    Done.

    All I can really add is, for my money (literally, if you open near me), for goodness' sake try and be open in the evenings! I'll never understand why the various LBSs near me time their weekday opening hours so as to ensure they coincide neatly with normal office hours, thereby ensuring the bulk of their customers will end up at Evans or Halfords if they need anything in a hurry \ for the weekend.
    I'd echo this.

    The retail landscape has changed so much in recent years that shops of every description need to work harder at getting our custom.

    It's always going to be hard to compete with the internet for small traders. I'm of the opinion that small traders need to really work at providing what the online and larger retailers cant deliver - top class service. Longer opening hours, personal service, seminars / classes, bike fitting, social events, etc. Retailers need to stop complaining about competition from the internet and actively encourage people who buy their bikes online to have them built-up, fitted and serviced in their establishments. if you feel you're been treated as a 2nd class customer when you come in with your web-bought bike then you'll take your custom elsewhere.

    This is why Colin Lewis in Paignton is the shizzle. They built up my P-X ti road Pro, and fitted it to me. Top notch.
    You listening bike shops around Fleet?
    +++++++++++++++++++++
    we are the proud, the few, Descendents.

    Panama - finally putting a nail in the economic theory of the trickle down effect.
  • scenetoomuch
    scenetoomuch Posts: 18
    I'll try and keep you chaps in the loop, especially as some of you might end up as customers..? I'm in the business plan stage at the moment, which is the reason for the survey. I wanted to have some proper evidence for the business to show the bank manager. Seeing as I have no capital of my own it's going to come straight from the bank and i need to convince them as best i can. i'm hoping to get rolling after christmas dependent on family and work. it would be great to be up and running this time next year. unfortunately there's a lot of dull stuff before i can fit out the shop and do my stocking in orders!

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