Retail Business Kit For Dummies [Paperback]

Rick Segel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2, 2008

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.  Discover how to:

• Launch a successful independent retail business
• Create a Web site that shines
• Connect with customers and increase sales
• 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 found in the print version of this title are not included as part of eBook file.

Editorial Reviews

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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 2 edition (September 2, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470293306
• ISBN-13: 978-0470293300
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #80,346 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #4 in Books > Business & Investing > Small Business & Entrepreneurship > Retail Businesses
  • #13 in Books > Business & Investing > Small Business & Entrepreneurship > Business Plans
  • #99 in Books > Business & Investing > Industries & Professions > Retailing

More About the Author

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

91 of 94 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for basics, too general for experienced marketers, October 12, 2003

By 

K. Davis (San Diego, California USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Retail Business Kit for Dummies (Paperback)

I should preface this review by saying that I am probably not the typical reader the author had in mind when writing this book. As a marketing consultant, I was recently was engaged to develop retail feasibility study and project plan for an Internet retailer planning their first bricks and mortar store. Although I have retail marketing experience, I bought this book to make sure that I had all bases covered and to get some fresh ideas on visual merchandising, retail POS systems and operations for small retailers.

This book is a great tool for a would-be entrepreneur thinking about starting their first retail business. It covers all the basics needed to plan, set up and manage a retail business, from writing the business plan to making the business a reality. The author makes good use of case studies which illustrate some of the retail successes and failures that he has observed. Another feature I found particularly useful are the tips on all aspects of retailing that could take years of trial and error to learn on your own. Last but not least the CD contains a wealth of useful forms and checklists.

Some areas that I would like to see developed in future editions are:

* Visual merchandising and store layout - more on principles and examples of floor plans
* Software suggestions - small business retail POS systems, planogram and merchandising design software
* Sample budgets and project plans
* Links to online sources of information - where to find designers, software, sales staff etc

To summarize, an excellent book on retail basics and if Rick Segel writes an "Advanced Retailing for Dummies" book, I will be the first customer.

76 of 81 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything You Need to Know About Retail Businesses, September 6, 2001

By 

Sherri Nuss (Hickory, NC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Retail Business Kit for Dummies (Paperback)

Hi, Amazon.com shoppers. I would like to say a few words about Retail Business Kit For Dummies. I work in the retail industry, and I was drawn to this book because I heard Rick Segel speak several years ago. He was so funny and inspirational, and I really enjoyed his presentation, unlike some speeches I've heard that put me to sleep. So, I was curious about this book. Let me say that I was not disappointed. I felt that Rick's personality really came across, which made the material very fun to read. (IMHO, it doesn't matter how valuable the information is if it's written in a dry and boring style.) I think the little anecdotes and true stories that he scatters throughout are a great way to illustrate the points he makes. For example, I really liked a story he told about a jewelry store owner who sent out a very elaborate (read, expensive!) invitation to a private sale to his best 78 customers. Almost 50 of them came to the event and spent money, results that totally blew away the response he had gotten to the thousands of cheap postcards he sent out in past promotions. The moral? It pays to focus on your very best customers, even if you have to spend a little more.
Basically, I learned a lot of tips and tricks of the trade that I can share with my colleagues. What a great book! To anyone who's reading this review, check it out! It gives you a ton of great insights you'll appreciate.
Thanks for listening (well, reading!) and have a great day!

43 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All the information I needed!, September 6, 2001

By 

Karrie G. Fath (Ft. Irwin, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Retail Business Kit for Dummies (Paperback)

What can I say about this book?
I bought it because I'm thinking about opening my own little gift shop. It's been a dream of mine for a long time, but I've never known where to begin. You know, it's not all fun and games. With all the stuff you have to learn about taxes and legalities, it can be downright intimidating.
After reading Retail Business Kit For Dummies I understand a lot more about what it's like to operate a store. It covers everything. I don't feel so intimidated now!

Thanks, Rick Segel! I'm still not sure if I'm going to do it, but at least now I can make an informed decision.