Starting up and keeping a small business running is no mean feat. The first few years of trading can be some of the hardest so if you have made it past that point and are now at the point of growth or expansion then congratulations. But why standstill? If business has been good and you want to improve on what you have already achieved here are some ways to help scale up your retail business and bring about growth and yes, increased profit.
Expand your location
If you are a physical store then consider whether you can add a second location to your repertoire. Of course, this will not be easy and requires a lot of market research, planning, and preparation but if you have a tried and tested method in one location then duplicating that success in another location is a great way to expand your business.
Alternatively, if you are a physical store could you expand your location to being online? If, of course, you are not already. It may be that you have a website and don’t currently offer your products for sale online. Taking your retail business into the world of e-commerce offers up the opportunity and growth without limits. You will be able to reach customers from all over the local area, the state, and even the country. The e-commerce industry is huge and millions of people shop online every day, so it stands to reason that you should be online too. One of the great things about taking your business online is that the cost of doing so can remain relatively low and certainly low in comparison to opening a physical store.
Expanding your location online doesn’t just involve setting up an e-commerce store but this can include diversifying the channels in which you sell. Social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook now offer shopping capabilities and this can be an incredibly effective and cost-effective way of reaching your potential clients. You can also use websites such as Amazon, eBay, or Etsy to offer your goods, where applicable.
Expand your product line
If you have built up goodwill and a strong success rate selling a particular type of product then consider expanding your offerings. Start by opting for similar products to those that you already sell and keep them in line with your current branding and ethos. Ensure any products remain of the same quality and standard you already offer to keep your customer base loyal.
Expand your storage capabilities
Once your expansion starts to take hold you may want to consider a means by which to store your stock. You will need to store your stock somewhere so it is imperative you research your commercial storage options. Inappropriate storage will be one of the biggest limiting factors to expanding your retail business. Commercial storage can offer short and long-term solutions for all storage requirements, appropriate insurance to ensure your stock is safe, and ease of access.