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MT-06
Retail Checklist SCORE Chapter 570 |
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A RETAILER'S CHECK-LIST |
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This handy
list can help you regain the competitive edge • IS YOUR STORE INVITING? (a) Is it well lit? (As bright as your competition) (b) Are there windows? Are they well displayed? Are they lit at night (at least util midnight)? Are they CLEAN? Are signs changed frequently? (c) Are the aisles wide enough? Can a baby carriage pass with ease? (d) DO YOU SMILE AND GREET THE CUSTOMER? • IS YOUR MERCHANDISE RIGHT? (a) Do you buy what you sell or sell what you buy??? Think about it! (b) Do you know your market? Sizes? Colors? Home construction? Ages? Schools? Etc.? (c) Does your merchandise match their needs? (d) Do you stock too large a quantity? (false economy) Do you stock too few? (cash flow). (e) Do you allow your sales reps to pick your assortments ? (f) Do you survey your customers to learn their needs? • WHAT ABOUT PRICING? (a) Are you competitive? (b) Are all items tagged clearly and professionally? (c) Do you cost code them to allow for instant adjustments? (d) Are your mark-downs timely? (e) Do you price-check the competition regularly? • HOW'S YOUR INVENTORY? (a) Over stocking and under stocking can prove deadly. (b) Do you take inventory periodically and keep records? (c) Is obsolete inventory choking you? (d) Have you developed a method to dispose of stale inventory? (e) Do you take advantage of ALL return privileges and defective returns? (f) Do you stock what the big boys won't or can't? • ARE YOU
PROGRESSIVE? (a)
Do you follow or lead with style, trends, fads, developments or even
departments? (b)
Do you get deliveries unpacked and on the floor in hours or days? (c)
Does your store look like 1950 or the year 2000? • ABOUT
ADVERTISING... (a)
Have you created an advertising budget? (b)
Do you use ALL your cooperative
advertising? (c)
Have you developed a rapport with the local media? (d) Are your advertisements timely, easy to understand,
designed to produce results? (e)
Do you support your ads with in-store displays, signs, tear sheets etc. • ABOUT
THE POINT OF SALE... (a)
Are your sales people dressed properly? (b)
Are they friendly? Do they really know their products? (c)
Do they convey the impression that the customer is a bother and an
interruption? (d)
Do they make suggestions, offer solutions, suggest
special orders? (e)
Do they sell? And do they follow up? • UNITY... (a)
Are you active in your local business association? (b)
Do you cooperate in their joint promotions, advertising? (c)
Have you investigated a buying group or co-ops? (e)
Have you developed a "buddy system" to facilitate swapping
inventory, displays, ideas and even help in
emergency situations? (d)
Are you active in Social Clubs, Church Groups and your local Chamber of
Commerce? These are just a few check points that you
should consider. There are a hundred more that you will develop yourself if
you just take the attitude that you WILL SURVIVE even if it means a
total re-evaluation of where you've been and where you are |
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