If you adore heading to the shops and you think you have an excellent sense of what’s hot, the latest trends, and you can predict the next big thing, then a career in retail could be for you.
Retail has shifted immensely over the past decade, with the high street dwindling in favor of online shopping. If you are keen to quit your full time role for an entrepreneurial gamble in retail, forget about the physical store for the time being and focus your efforts online.
There are many platforms and tools that aim to help you hit the ground running with your startup. It doesn’t matter whether you sell ball bearings from Hong Kong or whether you import tee shirts from artisan crafters in the US, there will be a market for your wares.
Stick To The Rules
You may choose to utilize a third party platform when first setting out on your retail journey. This can be wise as it saves you the stress of having to set up your own ecommerce site, and can allow you to test the waters with little commitment. Initially, you may be a one person business and using your home office as your stockroom and warehouse.
When selling your product, ensure that you stick to the rules. You need to ensure that you adhere to the minimum advertised price for selling. Just because you can afford to take a cut in the profit you make on a designer pair of jeans, doesn’t mean the manufacturer will be happy to allow you to do so. They used MAP monitoring software to ensure that their brand doesn’t become diluted and their reputation as a high end product remains intact.
Ensure that you point out any flaws with your items if they aren’t perfect. Selling vintage items is en vogue at the moment as people crave mid century interior design pieces, but don’t pretend they are in mint condition when they are not. Buyers want to see wear and tear, but they also want you to be honest about it.
eBay
eBay can be an excellent platform choice for those sellers looking to move from a personal seller to a professional outfit. Set yourself up as an eBay shop and you could begin your online retail empire. Succeeding in retail means putting in the hours so while it may seem tedious writing out hundreds of product descriptions and taking dozens of photographs, your effort will be repaid when you start making more profits from your sales.
Take photographs from every angle, including close ups and shots that show any flaws. When writing descriptions of your products, ensure that there are no grammatical errors or spelling mistakes. Remember, you are trying to build a brand and a professional reputation, so keep your content perfect.
Being a retailer isn’t easy, because there is so much competition out there. Finding your feet can be hard amongst your rivals. However, follow this guide, and you have every chance of success.
