Product Description

Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned retail entrepreneur, Retail Business Kit For Dummies shows you how to start and run your business in today’s retail marketplace—from your original dream and the day–to–day operation to establishing a connection with customers and increasing your sales, both on the Web and at a brick–and–mortar shop.

In this practical, how–to guide, retail expert Rick Segel shares his expertise and reveals what it takes to be successful. You’ll get a handle of the basics of launching and growing your business, from writing a business plan and finding a great location to hiring and keeping great staff. Find out how to meet and exceed customer expectations, create a positive shopping experience, provide top–notch customer service, and earn customer loyalty. And, the Bonus CD includes forms, templates, and samples that help simplify every business task, from managing inventory to creating sales and more! Discover how to:

• Launch a successful independent retail business
• Create a Web site that shines
• Connect with customers and increase sales
• Simplify operations with forms and templates on the CD
• Handle legal and accounting issues
• Design stores that really work
• Practice the 10 keys to retail selling
• Use management practices proven in the trenches
• Make visual merchandising work for you

Make your new venture succeed beyond your wildest dreams with a little help from Retail Business Kit For Dummies!

Note: CD–ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #68749 in Books
• Published on: 2008-09-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 408 pages

From the Back Cover

Get your business off the ground with a killer brand and get the sales you want!

It′s a great time to be an independent retailer! Whether you′re a novice or seasoned professional, this practical how–to guide shows you how to start and run your business in today′s marketplace — from your original dream and the day–to–day operations to establishing a connection with customers and increasing your sales, both on the Web and at a brick–and–mortar shop.

• Get lessons from real–life experience — the author shares his expertise in retail business (from his mistakes to his triumphs) and reveals what it takes to be successful

• Master all the basics of launching and growing a retail business — from writing a business plan and finding a great location to hiring and keeping great staff

• Meet and exceed the expectations of today′s consumer — discover how to create positive shopping experiences, provide top–notch customer service, and earn customer loyalty

• Spread the word without going broke — find out how to differentiate your business, generate word–of–mouth advertising, and plan effective sales and promotions

Bonus CD Includes

Forms, templates, and samples to simplify your business, from managing employees and inventory to tracking financial performance, creating sales and marketing tools, and adding signage to your store

See the CD appendix for details and complete system requirements.

Open the book and find:

• The 10 keys to retailing success

• How to design stores that work

• Where and how to buy merchandise

• The best ways to make your business memorable

• Expert tips for building your Web site and selling online

• Advice for handling legal and accounting issues

• In–the–trenches, proven management practices

• A crash course in the art of selling

About the Author

Rick Segel, CSP is an international retail expert and author of 8 books on retailing. Segel is the Online Retail Marketing Expert for Staples.com and is the creator of the highly acclaimed Retail Awards Program in Massachusetts. His weekly column is read by more than 10,000 retailers worldwide.

Customer Reviews

Good solid advice
Having seen Rick present live, this book now makes more sense - Segal is a superb entertainer and knows retail, the passion that's missing in the book is there in buckets face-to-face. If you want the human, practical side of retailing then you might be better off with the superb 'Smart Retail' or 'Retail Success' but if a US-centric collection of advice for shopkeepers is what you're looking for then this Business Kit for Dummies is fine.

The US bias is an issue though, if you are looking to open a store in the UK then the UK-written how-to 'Smart Retail' is much the better choice. The publishers really should consider producing a UK version of Segal's book.

Packed full of useful information
If you're opening a shop, get this. It covers so many different aspects of retailing that its well worth the price. I agree with the reviewer above, read 'Smart Retail' as well. Also read Julian Richer's 'The Richer Way'

Excellent!
This is an excellent book! I totally recommend it for all retailers. I have read it just 2 weeks ago and my sales are already up. Many thanks to the writer!