High Quality Merchandise and Best Prices is a Winning Formula

It's a challenge to run a dollar store. You have to consider all tastes and needs when selecting merchandise, create dramatic and interesting displays that make people want to investigate further, but most of all, you have to offer quality merchandise to your customers at reasonable prices. Finding those types of bargains may require more than just casually ordering from one or two suppliers, but scouring the offerings of many different suppliers.

Dollar stores offer shoppers the promise of low priced items, but also the potential of finding a gem of a bargain or perhaps many of them. In order to succeed in giving your customers what they want, you may have to spend longer hours searching close outs, discontinued or overstocked items as well as the traditional dollar store selections.

One method of finding the best quality is to work closely with wholesalers and develop a relationship with them. Just like the retail market, those who give you the best service, are the ones that keep you in mind when bargains appear in their offerings. Finding out what items are hot sellers is also a function that a good wholesaler can bring to the table. Often the hottest sellers at other dollar stores are the best bargains.

When shopping for quality merchandise, look for practical items your clients will use on a regular basis, such as laundry detergent, facial soap, food items and pet products. This gives you return business that can be the backbone of your store's sales. Off brand items that rival the name brands are frequently available. However, name brand items may be part of a closeout, which allows you to give customers a wider selection of products without damaging their budget.

If purchasing from a new wholesaler, consider sampling their wares first. Talk to the wholesaler and find out what other dollar stores purchase most frequently. Buy it, display it and see if it sells. Listen to the feedback from the customers on the items to decide whether purchasing from this vendor was brilliant or a one-time event.

While you might have to increase some prices beyond a dollar, particularly to offer practical, quality items, most people simply want bargains and a way to lower their expenditures. You can provide a service to your customers when you shop wisely and take the time to explore as many potential areas from which to purchase. Your customers will thank you by increasing your profits.