Open Your Own Retail Store
Have you always dreamed of opening your own retail store? We’ve talked before about reaching out to local art supply stores to display and sell your art, but today let’s talk about what it might look like for you to open your own store!
Two of my students, who you can learn more about in my free e-book, Mary-Ann Walker LeClair and Maria Ahl-Zanier, took this brave step, and now sell a variety of products in their own shops!
Before you dive in, it’s important to be aware of a few key things that make this opportunity truly different:
#1 – Location, location, location.
Picking the right location is very important. Consider factors like easy access to parking and public transportation, competition in the area, and even where your ideal customer is likely to go when looking for the products you offer.
#2 – Your store as a multi-use space.
In addition to selling your products at your retail store, if you have the space, you can set up a workshop area to host in-person paint parties and other events. This broadens your reach and gives people yet another reason to come to your store. This works well because when people come to browse or take a class, they will stay longer, get to know you better and do some shopping.
#3 – Units Per Transaction (UPT).
As you may have heard me mention before, I spent over 25 years working in retail stores like the Gap, Old Navy, Title IX Sports and Hudson Grace. There’s an important concept called Units Per Transaction (UPT) which essentially means offering products in bundles or sets that include 3-4 items.
Sets and bundles need to be based on an item that makes logical sense to purchase in multiples. Think tea towels, notebooks, and gift sets.
Download my free e-book, How to Craft a Career in Surface Design, and read more about how Maria and Mary-Ann manage their stores. Their stories will give you great ideas for setting up your own in a way that’s unique for you.
There are still more categories for us to cover. Join me again next week!
Pop over to my YouTube channel to watch the video version of this blog. Please subscribe while you’re over there and I’ll see you next week.
Bye for now!
xo,
Anne
Dive even deeper into how to Craft a Career You Love in Surface Design by downloading my free ebook HERE.
Have fun and I’ll see you next week.
Remember,
It’s Never Too Late to Create®
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MEET ANNE
Hi…I’m Anne!
My creative inspiration comes from a lifetime of observation. I grew up in Paris on the Place St. Sulpice and walked to school through the Luxembourg gardens. And that was only the beginning… Learn more by watching the video on my About page.
