I need to find out everything i need to know about opening a retail business?
456866
If you want to know everything, then I suggest you read books on the topic. Here are some suggested readings\n\n \n- Retail in Detail : How to Start and Manage a Small Retail Business (2nd Edition) (Psi Successful Business Library) by Ronald L. Bond \n- Successful Retail Business by Entrepreneur Press\n- Start and Run a Profitable Retail Business (Start & Run a) by Jim Dion and Ted Topping\n- The Guide to Retail Business Planning: The Complete Handbook for Creating a Winning Plan for Any Retail Business by Warren G. Purdy \n- Success in Store: How to Start or Buy a Retail Business, Enjoy Running It and Make Money by Geoffrey Heard and Gordon Woolf \n- Retail Success! by George Whalin\n\nYou may also want to read the information and researches of the National Retail Federation \nhttp://www.nrf.com/content/default.asp?folder=home&file=main.htm
137278
It's hard to answer your question in specifics since we don't know what type of business you're involved in, so I thought I would just list some links that'll help you get started on your way. There's links related to starting, financing & advertising.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
990147
I would start by doing lots of research on opening a business and jotting down just off the top of your head what you'll need to get started before you even try to figure out costs - listing everything will give you a place to start.  Here are some things I would think about:\n\n1) where and how big do you want this shop to be?\n2) what space is available in the area where you want the location\n3) will you need to do your own renovating/remodeling to the space\n4) do you plan to buy or rent the space?\n5) location is really, really important; are there other businesses in the area that draw people and might promote walk-in business for your shop?\n6) how close is your nearest competition? don't even try to compete with starbucks if they're anywhere near unless there's something so unique about your shop that you'll have your own niche following\n7) how will you advertise?\n8) will you need to hire employees\n9) who will handle the legal work? the accounting? \n10) how much insurance will you need - property insurance, insurance against loss of inventory, liability insurance in case a customer or an employee gets hurt in the store\n11)how much inventory do you need to get started?\n12) how much money do you need not just for upfront costs but to keep the shop going in the beginning before the business takes off\n13) have either of you worked at the kind of coffee/tea shop you'd like to own - are you willing to do that for awhile to really learn the ins and outs of the business?
1058723
The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.\n\nI recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.\n\nAssociations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links. \n\nResearch, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:\n\n* How to Start & Manage a Convenience Food Store Business by Jerre G. Lewis\n* Start and Run a Profitable Retail Business by Jim Dion, Ted Topping\n* Retail Business Kit for Dummies by Rick Segel \n* Specialty Shop Retailing: How to Run Your Own Store Revised by Carol L. Schroeder\n* So You Want To Own The Store: Secrets to Running a Successful Retail Operation by Mort Brown\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
666597
I recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.\n\nAssociations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links. \n\nResearch, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:\n\n* How to Open a Financially Successful Pizza & Sub Restaurant by Shri L. Henkel \n* Getting Your Slice of the Pie: A Definitive Source for Prospering in Pizza by Tracy Powell\n* Restaurant Financial Basics by Raymond S. Schmidgall \n* Opening a Restaurant or Other Food Business Starter Kit: How to Prepare a Restaurant Business Plan and Feasibility Study by Sharon Fullen \n\nThere are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
1109791
The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.\n\nI recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.\n\nResearch, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can. Here are some book titles that are relevant:\n\nStarting a Business Specific:\n* How to Really Start Your Own Business, Fourth Edition by David E. Gumpert\n* How to Really Create a Successful Business Plan: Step-by-Step Guide by David E. Gumpert\n* What No One Ever Tells You about Starting Your Own Business: Real-Life Start-Up Advice from 101 Successful Entrepreneurs (What No One Ever Tells You About Starting Your Own Business) by Jan Norman \n* Business Start-Up Kit by Steven D. Strauss \n* Start Your Own Business (Entrepreneur Magazine's Start Up) by Rieva Lesonsky\n\nWeb Site Specific:\n* Make Your Small Business Web Site Work: Easy Answers to Content, Navigation, and Design \nby John Heartfield\n* Small Websites, Great Results by Doug Addison\n* The Complete E-Commerce Book: Design, Build, and Maintain a Successful Web-Based Business by Janice Reynolds \n* Six-Week Start-Up: A Step-By-Step Program for Starting Your Business, Making Money, and Achieving Your Goals! by Rhonda Abrams\n\nThere are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
1028158
The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.\n\nI recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.\n\nAssociations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links. \n\nResearch, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:\n\nCatering Specific:\n* How to Start a Home-Based Catering Business, 5th by Denise Vivaldo\n* How to Run a Catering Business from Home by Christopher Egerton-Thomas\n* Start and Run a Catering Business by George Erdosh\n\nBakery Specific:\n* How to Open a Financially Successful Bakery by Sharon Fullen, Douglas R. Brown\n* The Baker's Trade: A Recipe for Creating the Successful Small Bakery by Zachary Y. Schat\n* Baking for Profit: Starting a Small Bakery by George Bathie\n\nIndiana Specific:\n* How to Start a Business in Indiana by Entrepreneur Press\n* How To Incorporate and Start a Business in Indiana by J. W. Dicks\n\nThere are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
609818
I recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.\n\nAssociations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links. \n\nResearch, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:\n\nHow to Start and Manage a Printing Business: A Practical Way to Start Your Own Business  by Jerre G. Lewis, Leslie D. Renn\nFree Money for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs by Laurie Blum\nFinding Money: The Small Business Guide to Financing (Small Business Series) by Kate Lister, Tom Harnish\nFinancing Your Business Dreams With Other People's Money: How and Where to Find Money for Start-Up and Growing Businesses by Harold R. Lacy\n\nThere are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
142523
You did not clarify whether you want to own a shoe manufacturing business or a shoe retailing business, or both. But I have gathered a few books and magazines that can help you.\n\nFrom the article "Starting a Shoe Retail Store," some of the books that can help you out include:\n\n- Profitable Footwear Retailing  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0870056301/powerhomebizguid\n\n- The Complete Footwear Dictionary  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1575241145/powerhomebizguid\n\n- A history of shoe fashions: A study of shoe design in relation to costume for shoe designers, pattern cutters, manufacturers, fashion students and dress designers http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0273400940/powerhomebizguid\n\nOther publications that may help you:\n\n- Shoe Retailing Today is published bi-monthly by NSRA http://www.nsra.org/news.cfm \n- National Shoe Retailers Association's New Store Starter Kit ($299) http://www.nsra.org/newstore.cfm\n- Focus on Shoes magazine http://www.geocities.com/focusonshoes/
334481
city/local ordinances stating what sort of businesses can operate in the building/area you want to open your shop.  also, you may need licenses - fire marshall, safety inspector, etc.  you also need to fill out tax forms with the state.  my suggestion would be calling both state and local governments and ask tham what steps you need to take as a lot of it depends on where you live.
560683
Look at the SBA.gov website, they have some good info.
629690
Start by gathering as much information as possible.  What are the start-up costs, yearly sales potential, number of employees needed, what kind of space do you need.  You can go to the Small Business Administration's web site www.sba.gov to find sources for this information.\n\nManaging a corporate store and owning your own are very different.  Your sales skills and product knowledge are a big plus, but you will be responsible for payroll, payables, banking relationships etc.  \n\nThe SBA can direct you to a SCORE (Service Corp of Retired Executives)office.  SCORE members have a wealth of knowledge at no charge.
177026
what kind of store or product? contact the manufacturers of the products and ask for a local wholesale vendor. call local vendors if u knoe them, depending on the bus. they may represent several manufacturers.ie: restaurants can buy many products from one food purveyer. usually credit apps. are required so start early to have approval to sign for product before u open, unless u want to pay cash, c.o.d. use more than one vendor to keep honest pricing, and remember everything is negotiable. respond with what kind of store and product and i can be af more help. good luck in your new venture
752062
you are too vague for estimating, Are you going to manufacture? or buy from a wholesaler? or have someone else make it for you? How large a space do you need ? you will need office staff, warehouse staff, computer systems, software, Phone systemsforklifts, storage systems, Trucking companys need to be contacted and .....  Too many variables . You need a business plan
1178692
consider all options. don't play safe\nsetting up a business is a huge responsibility\n\nTo look into\n\n1. Business plan\n2. Business marketing plan\n3. Financial plan / Start-up loan\n\nHave you checked to make sure your business name is available?; Have you registered your business?; Have you checked and registered your trademark?; Do you need a business licence?;Have you got insurance?;Do you have a business account?; Do you have an accountant?; Have you created a budget?; Can you get to the phone and electrical sockets easily?; Will your furniture fit in the space?; Do you have sufficient light and ventilation?; What is the temperature like in the office?; Do you have enough storage?; Have you all the equipment that you need?; Computers, telephone, fax machine, printer, scanner, etc...?\n\nWould you invest in all that or would you for an alternative like say, a virtual office?
19902
This depends on the type of retail and the location.  There are many other factors.  If you want a really good book on basic retailing startup, I recommend this book:\n\nSpecialty Shop Retailing by Carol Schroeder \nISBN: 0471212644
555505
I recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.\n\nAssociations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links. \n\nResearch, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:\n\nFabJob Guide to Become a Bookstore Owner (FabJob Guides) by Grace Jasmine\nHow To Start & Manage A Bookstore Business: A Practical Way To Start Your Own Business \nby Jerre G. Lewis, Leslie D. Renn\nRetail Business Kit for Dummies by Rick Segel\nRetail Success! by George Whalin\n\nThere are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!