Specialty Shop Retailing: How to Run Your Own Store (National Retail Federation Series) (Hardcover)

by Carol L. Schroeder (Author) "I firmly believe retailing is the most exciting and creative field of small business today..." (more)
Key Phrases: Orange Tree Imports, Yellow Pages, San Francisco (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Specialty retailing is one of the fastest growing types of small business, nationwide. This book tells budding entrepreneurs everything they need to know to start and run a successful specialty shop, including finding your niche and which products to sell, developing a realistic business plan, maintaining records, managing inventory, and merchandising.

A complete, step-by-step guide for beginning entrepreneurs Brimming with new ideas for established small retailers Includes valuable tips on how to make the most of your advertising budget

From the Publisher
Based on author Carol Schroeder's experience turning a small gift store into a $1.5 million-a-year single-location concern, this book tells budding entrepreneurs everything they need to know to start and run a successful specialty shop. Contains a complete, step-by-step guide for beginning entrepreneurs and new ideas for established small retailers. Covers all the bases, including finding your niche and which products to sell, developing a realistic business plan, maintaining records, managing inventory and merchandising. Includes valuable tips on how to make the most of your advertising budget. A total blueprint for success from one of the nation's most accomplished small retail shop owners

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons (February 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471147214
• ISBN-13: 978-0471147213
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #675,225 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down!, November 15, 2001

By	"christina-l" (Chateaugay, NY United States) - See all my reviews

I was very happy with this purchase. Although I have one store currently, have had a store in the past, and want more in the future (hence this purchase), I didn't really expect much new information. Not only did I get some great hints, but the book was so well written that I literally grabbed it every minute I could after I received it to keep reading. I finished it in less than 2 days! Very thorough, and suitable for a new or more experienced merchant. Impressed at author's willingness to share her goof-ups as well as her successes. Great value for the price (not one of these cheap, vague pamphlets you see all over the place). Definitely a keeper!

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Provides an illuminating look into a mysterious business., July 20, 1997

By A Customer

You have to be in retail before you can appreciate how mysterious and unpredictable it is. Schroeder overviews the basics of getting started, the basics of retail finance, designing your store, buying and merchandising, staffing, customer service, and advertising and promotion. Each of these chapters provides just an overview, although I found her chapter on staffing to be particularly helpful. The book also provides a very good literature review. There are numerous books in the bibliography that will make interesting reading. My only regret is that Schroeder didn't provide more of her own experiences. She has a fascinating story to tell. How a fresh college graduate can purchase a failing retail chain and turn in around almost immediately is beyond my abilities. You are left wanting to know more of her story over her 20 years of experience. How did she really build a small store to $1.5 million in annual sales? Its fun to read a book written not by a professional author, but by a seasoned retailer who is willing to help others. She has made a tremendous contribution. Dr. Ken Bailey co-owner, Wicker & Brass Etc.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring, February 8, 1997

By A Customer

After visiting Ms. Schroeder's store, Orange Tree Imports, I was inspired to open a store of my own. The 'vibe' of her store is truly inspirational. It is one of those miracles of life that she chose to write about running her store! The thoughts and suggestions in this book are invaluable to someone like me, who is interested in opening a store and was inspired by the author's own store. I can't recommend this book enough