If you are a small business owner of an antique shop, you probably have the "death sentence heard claims", with the discouragement of the "so dark from flooded" quantity and often look out the window, whether "the funeral" by ... I'm here to tell you that for antiques, and all discretionary retailers shall be called into question ... they are not dead and will not in the foreseeable future!
Almost every day I hear the constant comments from some customers and a lot ofdiscouraged traders say that the ancient industry dead, die or disappear. There is reason for this is:
1. The existing customers is not for sale.
2. Existing customers have bought everything they want.
3. The younger customer is not interested.
4. Anyone will be, could buy buying online.
I want you "tough and dedicated" antique dealers, store fronts some counter intuitive knowledge and contrary opinion about the "state of affairs in theantique industry. "
For years, the antique industry (like many other industries in the U.S.) was populated with a portion of the time on the edge of committed participants, there was the possibility of a "passion for flea markets" in "again on or off the books" profits with little day to day efforts through the dissemination of antique malls everywhere! These traders would "plop down a deposit, you load the SUV, a few tables and blankets together and open a Antique Mall Space. TheSize of these groups proliferated a huge amount of antique malls popping up on many major roads and shopping centers in the United States.
The fallacy of this concept was the room was expensive add on percentages rather high, and marginally committed employees who are not the same "personal interest", as an owner would have a shopping place. The dealers in the malls do not "Retail Veterans' and in many cases were found at the end of the month that instead of" slush funds "that theythought that created it, had a bill for the short fall between the booth rental and sales to check she was waiting on the first of the month instead of the hoped. Sunk, a new "hard reality" in the mall tenant space, and soon said this is not a good idea and saved 'in record numbers. The "exhaust the process" of the mall space tenants have led to huge gaps in the ancient empty shopping centers and a new reality for the antique mall owners, "they are upside down on the rent due to vacancies. This has led toto capture Antique malls, their doors and hang the rent "to" sign on the front of the building.
What is the post-mortem of the process? "Greater opportunities for the surviving outlets for the sale of antiques, by a larger piece of the (economic causes) small cakes. This is a moment not complain, the advent of online flea markets, but you use it. The Internet offers to reach a dealer a chance to millions of new customers and "Start in thin slices of" theirShares of the smaller pie. The decrease in shopping centers makes your "bricks and mortar 'shop more attractive to the customer that a new adventure in an antique shop is located (as long as he or she received with enthusiasm) and also the best and unique items, seduced by.
And runners ancient industry and to survive and save back to life? I think so. The ancient customer is primarily a "collector" is not unlike a museum. They collect things that interest them, have intrinsic valueto them and they think that appreciate in value over time to know. The number and the longevity of the museums around the world is proof that there is still interest in the display and possession of historical importance by many people. A private collection of one-point of passion "for a collector is her private museum, enjoy themselves and share with friends ... and perhaps ultimately sold for profit!
The trains, which will determine the "winners and losers" in thisantique industry "shakeout" are:
1. Perserverence coupled with tight cost control.
2. Exciting and unique merchandise flowed repeated at regular intervals to ensure your new clients.
3. Good value. The days of "obscene profits" are over. $ 10 profit to $ 1-investment may occur, but occasionally a more modest $ 3 to $ 1 price-cost ratio is probably better to upgrade and motivate Thinning among customers to purchase "to.
4. A good attitude. The last of what you need(or wants to hear) when they visit a store or business for some quality shopping time is "gloom and doom". Motivation and enthusiasm are contagious...so is wining and growsing. If you want more positive customers... be a more positive shop owner!
5. Look for new ways to reach new customers. Pack up the car or truck and hit the high, low, or medium end flea market, antique show or swap meet with a load of business cards and great merchandise. Give the people who stop by a "preview" of your Taste and choice and invite them to stop by for a visit to the larger range in your store. Give them a discount voucher if you want to fuel the urgency to be used on their next visit.
6. Finally, you keep fresh store. When a new flow of goods is not possible with current cash flow challenges ... Organize your stocks, so that the same objects presented in new locations, visualizing with new neighborhoods and new ways of its usage. We found an old article, a new sales by simplyMovement to a new location.
In summary, when push comes to shove ... The dedicated antique shop owner should look like the situation as an opportunity to grow market share ... Do not throw in the towel!
The world is with companies that would have been successful with a little more patience and persistence littered! Exit is easy ... Winning is commitment!