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

~ (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

See all Editorial Reviews

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: #829,381 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #76 in

  Books > Business & Investing > Small Business & Entrepreneurship > Retail Businesses

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

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.

26 of 27 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!

106 of 128 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good book but Retail Business Kit for Dummies better, June 16, 2003

By	Stephen L. Nelson (Redmond, WA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Specialty Shop Retailing: How to Run Your Own Store Revised (Hardcover)

Let me start by introducing myself and explaining an apparent potential conflict of interest...

I'm a CPA in Redmond, WA and am always on the lookup for resources that I can suggest to clients. I have quite a few independent retail clients and so was interested in this book.

I also happen to be the author of QuickBooks for Dummies and Quicken for Dummies.

Okay, all that said, I think Carol Schroeder's book is a pretty good one. The book has lots of good information for the independent retailer or the prospective independent retailer. (As you can see, I gave it four stars!) But I really think that the Retail Business Kit for Dummies is a better book. There's more information in the Dummies book and it's an easier read.

One final comment: Before you say to yourself, "Hey, he's just recommending another Dummies book, that's bogus!" let me point out that both the Dummies series of books and "Specialty Shop Retailing" are published by the same company, John Wiley & Sons.

Maybe the thought I'll leave you with is this: If you're interested in learning more about starting and running a successful retail store, read Retail Business Kit for Dummies first... then, if you want more information and have time for another book, read Specialty Shop Retailing. You will get good information in the Shroeder book that isn't in the Dummies book.

Steve