Customer Reviews

The Specialty Shop: How to Create Your Own Unique and Profitable Retail Business

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A decent book on the subject, however most examples of the specialty shops that the author used were shops located in the heart of tourist destinations (i.e. Monterey, Carmel, Venice, etc). If you live in average non-tourist locations in America like most people, you'll probably not find much useful information. I did, however, like the listings of industry product shows that I otherwise would not have know existed.

I greatly looked forward to receiving this book from my local dealer. It was a disappointment. Essentially it seems that the author took a lengthy vacation to a few touristy spots and wrote some gushy review of the shops she liked. Her biggest piece of retail knowledge is to have "the right item at the right price at the right time" or something like that, but nowhere in the book is there any sound advice on how to arrive at these crucial decisions. While she highlights her likes and dislikes of a few stores, there's nothing in there about how profitable each of these businesses are. And she does review an array of shops, but it felt as though some of them were merely thrown in- such as the bicycle shop. She mentions that they carry a little bit of everything and have a great location, but doesn't go into any specifics about merchandising or how the owners decided what to stock or even how they decided what brands to carry.
Overall, a breezy read with little content and not for the serious retailer who is short of time and needs to spend it wisely.

Many valuable observations, but the book could have benefitted from two things: more metrics (e.g. what are the typical profit margins for different types of retail lines) and more anecdotal advice from customers as well as shop owners. For example, it would have been especially enlightening if every shop owner had been asked the same set of questions (to see trends) and if there had been some customer queries (e.g. "why do you patronize this shop and not others?"

Any who have dreamed of owning more than the ordinary retail store will find plenty of practical tips and insights in THE SPECIALTY SHOP: HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN UNIQUE AND PROFITABLE RETAIL BUSINESS. The author spent the last twenty years researching the most successful and interesting shops across the U.S., Europe and Australia: her international approach combines the insights and applied experience of over thirty successful owners and provides plenty of practical advice for would-be owners. Perfect for any specialty business library or general-interest lending library collection.

I knew most of the tips the author gave out but it was an inspirational book anyway so worth it's money!

A great reference book for any small retailer. Full of good information and ideas for success.

For many people, having a shop where they can sell what they love is a dream. Whether it be model trains, gourmet food, antiques or Christmas ornaments, to be surrounded by what fascinates you, to share your knowledge with similarly-minded customers, is a goal in life. Whether you're starting out or starting a second life. Dorothy Finell's book "The Speciality Shop" provides all the answers on how to make that dream a reality.

While this book addresses specialty gift shops in predominantly tourist markets. I found the information very helpful. Provided insight into small shop operations. the book gave me really good ideas.

This spring I went on a walking tour with the author across Manhattan's Upper East Side. We walked at a very brisk pace but stopped many times along the way looking at little shops which sold all sorts of goods. I was impressed with Finell's keen eye for detail, the interesting questions she asked shop keepers and her curiosity. She has genuine passion for this topic.