Shop keepers - past and present

[elvis]

I have a shop with another 2 years on the lease , I sell flooring ( hardwoods , laminates etc) and while it does ok the nature of the business means that I spend a lot of time on here , or watching vids etc .

 

The shop was originally 2 shops now knocked through into 1 , so I still have 2 seperate windows and another entrance on the other side . I am now toying with the idea of having 2 seperate businesses under the same roof , but cant decide what to sell. It isn't big enough for furniture or large items , but there must be something I can sell .

 

Anybody have any ideas regarding what to sell , or which products have the best mark-up?

 

Ps , I dont want to be the next Ann Summers.

[VladimirIlyich]

You need to stick to a product you know otherwise you will go downhill fast.

 

Can you help us out with your specialised subjects?

[Sugar Ape]

I have a shop with another 2 years on the lease , I sell flooring ( hardwoods , laminates etc) and while it does ok the nature of the business means that I spend a lot of time on here , or watching vids etc .

 

The shop was originally 2 shops now knocked through into 1 , so I still have 2 seperate windows and another entrance on the other side . I am now toying with the idea of having 2 seperate businesses under the same roof , but cant decide what to sell. It isn't big enough for furniture or large items , but there must be something I can sell .

 

Anybody have any ideas regarding what to sell , or which products have the best mark-up?

 

Ps , I dont want to be the next Ann Summers.

 

Something related to what you already sell would probably be the best option. I worked in the power tool / hardware industry for years; power tools, not a great markup and loads of competition, but you can make some money with hardware.

 

Maybe you already sell hardware, but if not there are all kinds of things people who buy laminate flooring etc... require. Nails, screws, filler, Mastic guns, Chisels, Handsaws all kinds. Hell, even Henry Hoovers ( it's messy fitting flooring! )

 

You could sell the good stuff like Stanley, Irwin, Marples, Bahco. Or just the cheap blackspur type stuff you can pick up for buttons in trade warehouses.

 

There is also a massive demand for safetywear out there. Again you get the good stuff like Snickers and Dewalt, the middle gear like Scruffs and the cheaper options like Dickies. Boots, trousers, gloves, hardhats and you wouldn't believe how many socks we used to sell.

 

You only need a trade account with toolbank browse and you could start selling nearly all these brands straight away.

 

If you already sell this type of thing, think of expanding the range. There is also a great power tool company called Festool who sell almost exclusively in smaller shops, good demand for it and you have to sell it at a set price so the markup is good and the competition can't undercut you. They are a specialist woodworking company.

[TurkishDelight]

Elvis? Chipshop surely.

 

Dunno about markups etc but maybe tiling (particularly floor tiling but maybe all types) might be a good match with what you're already doing?

[General Dryness]

Maybe you already sell hardware, but if not there are all kinds of things people who buy laminate flooring etc... require. Nails, screws, filler, Mastic guns, Chisels, Handsaws all kinds. Hell, even Henry Hoovers ( it's messy fitting flooring! )

 

You could sell the good stuff like Stanley, Irwin, Marples, Bahco. Or just the cheap blackspur type stuff you can pick up for buttons in trade warehouses.

 

.

 

A second vote for the Hardware. Money to be made there. I work for a builders merchant out here, and our (and all our competitors) markups on nuts, bolts, nails and the like are fucking ruthless.

[ROADENDSMIG]

Elvis

If i am teaching you to suck eggs mate, I am sorry in advance.

I work in the builders merchant industry and have for a long while now. If you are selling laminates and harwood flooring, maybe look a selling products related such as plywoods screeds and timbers. The plywood and screed as you may know are essential in most flooring jobs. The timber aspect allows you to offer finishing products such as skirtings and arc's. As long as you buy right on your timbers you should make betwean 25-30% GP all day long.This also then gives you the chance to sell doors and all the ironmongery and fixings mentioned by the lads earlier in the thread. Whilst doors can be difficult to purchase there are loads of second line distributors up and down the country who sell at decent prices, with short lead times and off the shelf availabilty.You could expand this further with a small amount of decorating products to give your customers the chance to re-invent their rooms all from your shop.

Buying most of these materials my look like a massive outlay but it isn't. Most suppliers will offer free samples for display purposes or from time to time sale or return on products like ironmongery.

Again sorry if you already know this, if you need anymore ideas or help in searching for suppliers pm me and I will help all I can.

[Trumo]

Anybody have any ideas regarding what to sell , or which products have the best mark-up?

 

 

Is a possibility.

[Pony Princess]

I have a shop with another 2 years on the lease , I sell flooring ( hardwoods , laminates etc) and while it does ok the nature of the business means that I spend a lot of time on here , or watching vids etc .

 

The shop was originally 2 shops now knocked through into 1 , so I still have 2 seperate windows and another entrance on the other side . I am now toying with the idea of having 2 seperate businesses under the same roof , but cant decide what to sell. It isn't big enough for furniture or large items , but there must be something I can sell .

 

Anybody have any ideas regarding what to sell , or which products have the best mark-up?

 

Ps , I dont want to be the next Ann Summers.

 

Sell pasties and sausage rolls. You'll make a killing from the scummy mummies!