It is unlikely that there will be at least one person who has never needed at least some medical equipment in his life.
That is why many aspiring entrepreneurs are interested in questions about how to open a medical equipment store, how much you can earn by selling equipment and medical supplies, what documents will be required to start a business.
How profitable can such a business be?
Of course, almost every person needs medical equipment. After all, every house has at least a thermometer. In addition, not all public hospitals have at their disposal a sufficient number of necessary tools. In the store, you can sell not only bulky equipment, but also resuscitation and obstetric sets.
Thus, with the right approach, the sale of medical equipment can become a truly profitable business. On the other hand, it is worthwhile to understand that opening a store will require quite an impressive amount of money and time.
After all, first you will need to study the market, to understand whether the business will be profitable in your city. You also need to select the goods that will be in maximum demand. And, of course, you will need large cash investments. After all, medical equipment costs a lot.
How to open a medical equipment store? Package of official documents
First you need to draw up some documents. Register the store in the tax office. You can register as an individual entrepreneur or open a limited liability company (the second option is suitable if you work with a partner or work with other large companies). In addition, after renting and repairing the premises, you will need permission from the sanitary and epidemiological station, the fire service, and the labor protection service.
Where is the best place to rent?
If you are interested in how to open a medical equipment store, you should understand that in this case, its location is extremely important. And if you have the opportunity to rent a room near a hospital, clinic, emergency room, surgical department, prosthetic orthopedic enterprise, or even a private medical center, do not hesitate, this place suits you. Patients will be sent to you directly from the doctor’s office.
But if there are no places near medical enterprises, do not despair. Rent a room in a busy part of the city, for example, in the center, here you will be in full view.
How to create a store?
Immediately it is worth noting that the store should have several separate rooms: a large trading room, a storage room, as well as at least a small corner for workers. If you need an office, since it is in the store that you are going to spend most of the working time, then you should think about this in advance.
As for the design of the store itself, there is no need for special sophistication. A quality repair will be sufficient. By the way, it is desirable to paint the walls in bright colors. Medical products are primarily associated with cleanliness and accuracy, it is these principles that should be followed during repairs.
Remember that you will need counters, shelves and racks in order to demonstrate the goods. If you are planning to open a large store, you can arrange several benches or sofas so that people can relax while they are waiting in line.
The ideal option would be to purchase computer equipment with appropriate software, so it will be easier for you to monitor the quantity of goods and profit.
Assortment of medical equipment: we select goods
Naturally, first you will need to make a list of the goods that you are going to sell. By the way, the range here is really large.
For example, you can sell wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, walking sticks and other things that people with disabilities and patients need during rehabilitation.
Orthopedic products, in particular, corsets, knee pads, posture correctors, bandages, will also be in demand. If your customers will be doctors, you can add medical clothes and accessories to the price list.
Medical equipment for the home is also popular. Inhalers, blood pressure monitors, blood glucose meters, thermometers, hearing aids, heating pads, compression underwear are all also necessary medical equipment. You can buy heart rate monitors and pedometers.
There are also a number of other necessary accessories, in particular, special kits for resuscitation and obstetric and gynecological kits, not every clinic has a sufficient number of disposable sterile instruments.
If you are interested in additional profit, then you can include equipment for health and beauty in the list of goods sold. For example, ionizers and air purifiers, orthopedic pillows and mattresses, special massagers, water filters, devices for skin care and cellulite control are in demand.
It's no secret that the newly-made mother also needs some accessories, in particular, sterilizers, bottles, breast pumps, special underwear, belts for tightening the abdomen, they can also be sold.
There are hardly any problems with the purchase of goods, as there are many companies that agree to provide you with the necessary equipment.
Workers: basic requirements
If you are interested in how to open a medical equipment store, you should understand that the working staff also plays an important role in this case. Of course, you need employees with the appropriate medical education.
The selection of employees should be treated with responsibility. They should be friendly and sociable. In addition, it is important that employees are really well versed in the machinery and equipment that you sell. Knowing the characteristics and purpose of the product is not enough, sellers should be able to clearly explain to the person what exactly he is buying and how to use it, as well as recommend a more suitable replacement model.
Depending on the size of the store, you will need 1-3 sales assistants. In addition, it is worth hiring a cleaner (it’s not possible for a full time job), because the room must be maintained at a certain level of cleanliness. Naturally, someone will have to follow the accounting department, you can take this work into your own hands or hire a specialist. If you offer not only sales, but also equipment maintenance, then you will need the appropriate techniques (you can call them if necessary).
Advertising is the key to success
If you are lucky with the rental location, and you opened a store near a hospital or emergency room, then you will not need special advertising, you just need to make the appropriate sign.
If there are no medical centers near your outlet, you can make several banners. You can create an additional number of buyers by handing out flyers with discounts.
In addition, try to negotiate with doctors (in particular, surgeons, traumatologists, gynecologists), let experts recommend that patients buy equipment in your store.
If your city has an orthopedic orthopedic enterprise, then you can sign a special agreement so that patients buy the necessary accessories from you or, for example, special orthopedic shoes at a discount.
By the way, it is worth creating cards for regular customers with various discounts, this will make your store more popular among buyers. And on medical supplies for home use, you can make sales from time to time, such an advertising move will lead to an increase in the number of customers.
Online store as a source of additional income
Today, many entrepreneurs open online stores. In fact, such a web resource will become not only a source of additional income for you, but also good advertising. And if you are interested in how to make money selling medical equipment, then you should familiarize yourself with this information.
The site will be able to be visited by people living in your city, here they will be able to get acquainted with the assortment of the store and the technical characteristics of the goods in peace and quiet. You can also publish instructions for using the equipment you are offering.
In addition, you can sell equipment almost throughout the country. In this case, you will only need to track orders on time, communicate with customers, and also establish the process of payment and delivery of goods. By the way, if you don’t have time to constantly monitor the activity of visitors on the site, then for this it is worth hiring a separate employee who would be responsible for technical support.
