Retail Business

Pawnbroker

Use your negotiating skills by opening up a pawn shop and bringing in second-hand goods.

Published

9 years ago

Dec 1, 2009

Entrepreneur

Business At A Glance

Pawnbroker

Startup Costs: $10,000 – $50,000
Online Operation? Yes

Business Overview

Pawnbrokers sometimes get a bad rap, andunfortunately it only takes a few bad apples dealing in stolenmerchandise to give the industry a bad name for all operators ofpawnshops. However, like any business venture, eventually the badbusiness operators will disappear and the good operators will flourish.

Starting a pawnshop business is a good choice as a business start-upfor a few reasons, such as no special business skill requirements,relatively low initial investment, and excellent profit potential.Furthermore, utilizing used product pricing or value guides such as theBlue Book take away any guesswork in terms of the wholesale and retailvalue of products.

The key to success for operating and profiting froma pawnbroker business is to keep all transactions legal, establish thebusiness in the right location, deal only in up-to-date merchandisethat has real value, and always practice good negotiation skills.

Retail Business

Lingerie Shop

Put a swagger in women’s steps by providing them with attractive lingerie.

Published

9 years ago

Dec 1, 2009

Entrepreneur

Business At A Glance

Lingerie Shop

Startup Costs: $10,000 – $50,000
Online Operation? No

Business Overview

Heading into the new millennium, specialization is the buzzword forretail ‘bricks and mortar’ businesses, and opening a lingerie shop fitsthe bill perfectly. Get started by selecting a highly visible storelocation for your business.

Malls and strip malls are a good choice(though you’ll want to make sure there’s no “big name” competitors) andyou will only require less than 1,000 square feet, so the rent shouldbe reasonable. Next you will want to establish accounts with lingeriemanufacturers and distributors. Harness the power of the Internet tolocate these companies. The rest is pretty straightforward; you stockyour store and sell your products.

In addition to selling lingerie fromthe storefront location, also consider hiring sales consultants to hostin-home lingerie parties as a way to bolster sales and profits. Adirect mail campaign and mail-order catalog can also be used toincrease revenues. You can also specialize by stocking hard-to-findplus sizes, maternity lingerie and specialty items.

The Market

Your customers are women looking for lingerie and men looking to buytheir wives and girlfriends lingerie. (Though don’t leave the menout–you can also stock silk boxers and similar items.)

Retail Business

Wine Shop

Drink to your health and to your business.

Published

9 years ago

Dec 1, 2009

Entrepreneur

Business At A Glance

Wine Shop

Startup Costs: $10,000 – $50,000
Online Operation? Yes

Business Overview

Retailing wine can be extremely profitable, and this type of business can even be operated from a well-positioned kiosk located in a mall or market. In the right location, walk-in customers will keep you busy selling lots of wine.

But as a method to bolster sales and profits, also be sure to establish alliances with event and wedding planners, catering companies, and business clubs and associations as they can become a great source of repeat business.

Like any retail business, seek a competitive advantage, meaning offer your customers something the competition does not. Perhaps phone-in orders with free delivery or maybe a weekly wine tasting night. The ability to separate your business from the competitions’ often is the difference between business success or business failure.

Retail Business

Leather Fashions

Rope in customers by offering leather clothes and accessories with large profit potential.

Published

9 years ago

Dec 1, 2009

Entrepreneur

Business At A Glance

Leather Fashions

Startup Costs: $10,000 – $50,000
Home Based: Can be operated from home.
Part Time: Can be operated part-time.
Online Operation? No

Business Overview

Selling leather fashions is another greatfashion retailing business to initiate. Worldwide there are thousandsof manufacturers of leather fashions and accessories, so securing awholesale source for products should not prove to be difficult.

In thespirit of being unique, consider retailing the leather fashions innontraditional methods including by ways of the Internet, home shoppingparties, and catalog sales. Like many clothing ventures, the profitpotential is excellent for a business that retails leather fashions, asmany items can retail for as much $1,000 each, and the same item canoften be purchased wholesale for less than $500.