Open a personalized small shop that earns money（stationery store)

The business of a stationery store is not difficult to do, as long as you consider how to position yourself before opening, that is to say, decide whether the business direction is centered on office supplies or stationery products. If office supplies are the center, it is necessary to prepare sales of office equipment and consumables, and the location of the store should be selected in a concentrated area of the company or institution. If it is a trend towards stationery products, of course, it is good to choose storefronts near primary and secondary schools.
(1) Near the school. Choosing an address near the school can facilitate students on campus. The main motivation for students to go to stores is to purchase their favorite stationery. Suitable stationery should be provided according to the needs of students.
(2) Residential area location. The customers in this area are residential areas and nearby residents. This area can handle various household stationery and supplies, and the main consumption periods are holidays and after school and work hours. The characteristic of this area is that it has strong purchasing power for various products related to family life and student learning. Stationery products that can bring joy and knowledge to family life can achieve good sales.
In addition, companies nowadays attach great importance to the rational use of office supplies, which has had an impact on the sales of office supplies. For example, in order to improve office efficiency, companies have strict and detailed regulations on the use of consumables. In addition, the use of copiers and computers is also very common; Iron office supplies, on the other hand, focus on their economy and durability.
When distributing office supplies, in order to meet market needs, it is necessary to accurately grasp the recent consumption trends of office supplies, so as to find targets and adjust one's business policies and strategies in a timely manner.
The operation of office supplies is not necessarily limited to transactional workplaces or concentrated office spaces. Many shops also adopt the form of company organization, and they use a lot of books and other supplies. If these shops are included in their business scope in bustling and large-scale commercial streets, it will have great potential.
Stores that focus on stationery sales naturally have a wider range of marketing. Because there is no office space or store that does not use pens, ballpoint pens, signature pens, or other stationery, but if it can attract these customers or open the store to those places, it is recommended to focus on operating office supplies, as operating office supplies is more profitable than operating stationery. If it is a specialized stationery business, the main target should still be schools or families.
But there may be one or two stationery stores near any school. To do this business, one must be prepared to compete with others, conduct detailed investigations, and carefully formulate their own business strategies.
Generally speaking, stationery stores need to have at least some basic best-selling products, and the following is a general list:
Pencil (HB, 2B, 4B) (wooden, automatic), automatic lead core;
Ballpoint pen (red, blue) (straight tube, automatic), ballpoint pen core;
Neutral pen (red, blue, black), neutral core;
Pen, ink (red, blue);
A brush (pighair, wolf hair);
Rubber (regular, art);
Pencil sharpener, pencil sharpener;
Pen case, stationery box, backpack;
Thumbs, pins, paper clips;
Letter paper, envelope, stamp (small amount);
Watercolor pens, oil painting sticks (all in small quantities);
Solid adhesive, liquid adhesive, double-sided adhesive, transparent adhesive;
Various exercise books, notebooks, diaries, homework books, student records;
Stapling machines (mainly 10 #, 12 #, large staplers according to orders), staplers;
Book cover, lever clip, file bag, folder, archive box, piano bag (depending on local situation);
Set ruler and loose ruler (triangular board, ruler, curved board, tape measure), compass (ordinary, drawing).
The above can ensure that they basically meet the daily needs of students. If your store is located within the school, and some schools implement boarding systems, due to strict management and transportation issues, they do not have much possibility of purchasing all stationery supplies from outside. If you choose such a school, your inventory must be comprehensive. If allowed by the store, items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, laundry detergent, soap, soap, shower gel, shampoo, towels, garbage bags, mosquito repellent, toilet water, band aids, playing cards, lighters, water bottles, water bottles, fans, lunch boxes, piggy banks, alarms, etc. can also be considered.
Nowadays, many stationery stores also cater to gift sales, so if you want to enter, you can do so. For example, headgear, keychain, phone rope, etc. If it is a stationery store that leans towards office supplies, it can also sell printing ink, nail remover, punching machine, leather notebook, file frame, file cabinet, file rack, pen holder, combination office pen holder, etc. If it is located near the school, it is not enough to rely on location selection. It is also necessary to manage the interpersonal relationships in the surrounding area, especially with the school.
Planning and layout of stationery storesThe competition in stationery stores nowadays is fierce and it is not easy to accumulate wealth. However, as it is a relatively stable industry, many successful stationery stores attract customers with fashionable and innovative products, driving them to make purchases driven by curiosity.
The appearance design of stationery stores should generally follow the following principles:
(1) Store design. Can be concise and clear, making it clear at a glance from the appearance and style, and the font size on the sign should be appropriate.
(2) Store layout. It can be listed according to the category of stationery, such as one shelf for laptops, one shelf for pens, one shelf for accessories, etc., to facilitate customer classification and search. The size of the shelves should be convenient for displaying goods, and it is best to have inventory function. If there are also specialized accessories, the display area needs to have functions that can not be too large, but are enough to appear dazzling.
(3) Store style. Korean stationery is very popular nowadays, and the style of decoration can be close to pastoral, warm, and romantic, but it does not lose personality. For example, across from Suzhou No.1 Middle School, there is a Rongtai Cultural Supplies Company, established in 2001, which is one of the largest wholesalers of office supplies in Suzhou.
(4) Spotlights and other lighting fixtures. Under the illumination of light, the attribute characteristics of an item can be more prominent.
(5) Packaging paper and packaging box. In order to package gifts that need to be packaged, it belongs to the category of accessories, but its functional characteristics should not be underestimated.
(6) A good shopping environment. In addition to reducing various noises as much as possible, stationery stores should also play some relaxed, soft, beautiful and pleasant music, or report and introduce some news about products to dilute the noisy noise, and make customers consciously lower their tone of voice to enjoy music and listen to advertisements. These are especially important for cultural goods stores, and tranquility, tranquility, and elegance should become the classic atmosphere of stationery stores.
(7) Store decoration. Running a stationery store requires a comfortable and beautiful environment layout, advanced and good business facilities, which are not only physiological but also psychological needs of customers and operators. Its role in improving business efficiency cannot be underestimated. In terms of environmental facilities in the store, to achieve good results, it is generally necessary to pay attention to regulating or controlling the smell, air, and sound of the store, so as to make it suitable for human physiological and psychological needs.
(8) Odor. The stationery store has a fragrant aroma and is quite attractive to customers. In the store, you can place some potted plants or artificial scents, such as lighting spices and spraying perfume, which can stimulate customers' sense of smell and make them feel refreshed and happy in buying stationery.
(9) Air. Maintaining fresh and pleasant air in the stationery store environment is an extremely important promotional tool. To maintain fresh and pleasant air, it is generally recommended to install multiple windows or ventilation windows, use natural ventilation through air convection, install dust curtains for doors and windows, regularly remove dust, and plant flowers and plants, and add bonsai. Stores with conditions can also install air conditioners and implement artificial ventilation methods. Fresh and pleasant air can satisfy the psychological needs of customers, thus generating a comfortable and pleasant feeling; On the other hand, it can regulate the emotions of store employees and improve work efficiency; At the same time, it can also display the excellent spiritual style of the stationery store and establish a good image in the minds of customers.
The budget for a stationery store is not high, about 50000 to 100000 yuan, and a store area of 30 square meters is sufficient. Of course, the size of the storefront is closely related to your early planning. If it is focused on public goods, some equipment goods require a certain amount of financial reserves; If the store is focused on stationery products, the requirements for funding are relatively low.
Operation and management of stationery storesIn addition to paying attention to purchasing in daily operations, stationery stores also need to understand the characteristics of purchasing. Due to the unique nature of the stationery industry, stocking should also be seasonal. For example, before the start of school in September, you can prepare more pencil cases, book covers, stationery boxes, and backpacks, so you don't need to buy a large amount of these goods on a regular basis; Before the June exam, you can prepare more pencils, neutral pens, pads, rulers, compasses, transparent folders, etc. The principle of stocking stationery is consistent with other retail industries, which requires grasping the sales peak season, predicting market demand, and selectively matching goods to minimize inventory and save costs.
In addition, the daily consumption of different goods also varies greatly. If the stocking quantity is divided into five categories: maximum quantity, large quantity, normal quantity, small quantity, and very little, there can be several situations:
Maximum quantity: pen refills, staples, glue, paper clips, pins, pencils, lead, etc;
Large quantity: neutral pen, ballpoint pen, solid glue, rubber, ruler and loose ruler, transparent glue, etc;
Ordinary: pencil sharpener, ink, various books, letter paper, compass, lever clip, file bag, folder, etc;
Small amount: pencil case, stapler, pencil sharpener, file box, double-sided tape, envelope, etc;
Very rare: various new products, large office equipment, stationery boxes, backpacks, watercolor pens, oil painting sticks, stamps, etc.
When arranging the allocation of purchasing funds, it is generally possible to allocate stock according to this method. Of course, the specific situation needs to be considered by yourself. Xiao Luo opened a stationery store across from a middle school, with retail as the main focus. Students are the main customer group. Due to their active thinking, strong curiosity, quick acceptance of new things, and high frequency of using stationery, they generally pursue the latest styles and the best quality. Only a combination of the two is the best-selling stationery. So Xiao Luo has to go out of town every week to purchase goods and ensure that new models are released every week. Like a pen tool, there are over 200 styles available.
The stationery industry plays a crucial role in finding gold, with good supply and marketing. How to find the source of goods and purchase good goods? The selection of purchasing channels and brands is crucial.
Firstly, consider the possibility of becoming a brand distributor. If your business area is sufficient, sales are stable, and you can provide a certain amount of individual products for the manufacturer, you can consider signing contracts with some stationery manufacturers. Collaborating with manufacturers requires financial strength and sales performance, both of which are indispensable. In the current market situation, for first tier manufacturers, the minimum signing task is generally a sales volume of 150000 yuan/year, and they can give you a rebate of 2-3 points; Second tier manufacturers usually offer a minimum of 70000 yuan per year, with a rebate of 1-2 points for you; Secondly, if you do not have the ability to become a distributor, you can choose to purchase from distributors and agents.
At present, domestic distributors are generally distributed in provincial capitals with large distributors with strong strength and large shipment volumes; There are small distributors in various cities with average strength and shipment volume. Generally speaking, the advantages of provincial capital distributors are low prices, large shipment volumes, high promotion frequency, diverse product categories, and one-stop procurement. However, their disadvantages are slightly longer response time, higher shipping costs, and lower likelihood of obtaining advertising assistance; The advantages of local distributors are fast response time, door-to-door delivery, and the possibility of obtaining manufacturer advertising support through them, which facilitates the development of interpersonal relationships. However, their disadvantages are that the price is 5-10 points higher than the provincial level, and the shipment volume is average. If they encounter weaker ones, they may be out of stock during the peak season. You can consider your own situation according to the actual situation, or you can choose both and purchase complementary goods.
Secondly, consider the choice of purchasing brands. Generally speaking, the advantages and disadvantages of first tier and second tier brands are also very obvious. The advantages of first tier brands are high visibility, diverse product categories, strong advertising and store image support, and various support channels, such as exhibitions, supply conferences, member stores, etc; Its disadvantages are strict price control, limited room for maneuver in purchase prices, and average frequency of promotions. The advantages of second tier brands are low prices, high promotion frequency, low sales requirements, and large profit margins; Its disadvantages are low popularity, limited advertising and tool support, and a relatively single variety.
At present, top tier brands include: Morning Glory, Deli, True Color, Qixin, UME (United), Guangbo, Watanabe, etc;
At present, second tier brands include: Hobby, Chenqi, Haodeli, Jinwannian, Sanmu, Baixue, etc.
Of course, you can choose brands with strong comprehensive strength, such as Sunrise and Deli, or balance the choices of other brands and take what you need. In addition, the market is filled with a large number of miscellaneous brands, which can also be chosen because of high profits and the extremely fast pace of innovation, with many small things that students like.
In terms of business strategy, the selection and adjustment of business content should be based on the nature of schools near the store and the business situation of competitors. For example, elementary school students have weaker purchasing power but prefer small toys, so they mainly focus on selling low-end learning supplies, and can also concurrently sell some small foods and toys. Middle school students have strong purchasing power and a relatively higher level of consumption for learning materials, but they do not like toys. Due to the strong thirst for knowledge among middle school students, they are particularly interested in some quirky products, and some cleverly designed and innovative stationery items will attract them. College and vocational school students have the strongest purchasing power, but there are not many learning supplies that truly meet their needs. There is a high demand for notebooks, commemorative books, various cards, and beautifully crafted small gifts. Mastering the organization of teaching and extracurricular activities in schools can provide students with targeted learning materials that meet their needs.
Furthermore, it is equally important to have a grasp of the source of procurement. Ordinary learning supplies usually come from nearby wholesale markets, which are now widely distributed. If you operate such stores in any city, there will be no problem with the supply of goods. If manufacturers can be found to purchase in bulk, the purchase price will be much cheaper than purchasing from wholesale markets, but it will only take up some funds. However, this is very necessary for a store that plans to operate in the long term. In addition, the backup inventory cycle of paper products should not exceed one year to avoid causing paper to become brittle and yellow.
In terms of product distribution, in addition to retail, non retail sales methods can also be conditionally chosen. Such as small wholesale, group buying, etc. If there are enough manpower and trucks are convenient, wholesale can also be sent to towns. Because small retail stores and supermarkets in rural areas usually take whoever delivers the goods. Group buying is aimed at various office units, such as government departments, factories and mines, schools, etc., providing them with daily office supplies and certain large demand items during a certain period of time. For example, when holding various meetings, a large number of neutral pens, notebooks, document bags, or woven handbags are needed; And the calendar at the end of each year.
At the same time, while ensuring the novelty of the style, we also need to win with quality. Because stationery is a consumable item that consumers need every day, if the quality is not up to standard, it will have a significant impact on work and study.
For the stationery industry, loss is a significant issue in cost control. Due to the continuous introduction of new stationery and its impact on the market, if a stationery is left unsold on the shelves for one or two weeks, it may never be sold again. According to industry insiders, the average backlog rate in the entire industry is now over 10%. Even for well controlled and thriving stores, the loss rate is still between 2% and 3%.
The high loss rate determines that the entire industry must adopt effective measures for promotion, and various store methods emerge one after another. Some stores offer discounted sales, some implement "buy one get one free" policies, and some offer group buying services for students and other consumers... According to industry insiders, the most effective promotion method currently is membership. Stores can carry out various activities targeting members to bring them closer together, and point discounts are even more irresistible to some consumers. The membership system makes the relationship between volatile merchants and consumers closer, making the buying and selling relationship more long-term.