Sport is becoming more and more popular year after year. Large stores of relevant goods appear from time to time in each city, but nevertheless, according to experts, the market is still not full. Therefore, starting a business in such an area can be a very reasonable decision. What to consider?
Market analysis
Before you open a sports store, it is worth analyzing some data. According to statistics, one in ten Russians is constantly involved in sports and spends about three hundred dollars a year.
Accordingly, in a city with a population of about half a million people, it will be possible to open ten large stores, and their revenue for the year will be thirty million rubles each. This data will easily help you navigate the market.
It is enough to estimate the size of the city in which it is planned to conduct business, and to calculate the number of already existing popular retail outlets in order to understand how one more will be in demand. For example, a sporting goods store in Moscow is likely to face stiff competition. But in the regions, market saturation is much lower, and the flow of customers will be large.
Official registration
Not sure how to open a sports shop? First you need to collect a package of documents. You will need a conclusion from the Sanitary and Epidemiological Inspectorate of Rospotrebnadzor and a permit for accommodation from the same authority.
In addition, it will be necessary to draw up a sanitary production control program, conclude contracts for the disposal of mercury-containing lamps, disinfection of vehicles, the implementation of deratization and disinsection procedures, as well as dry cleaning and laundry for work clothes. It will also require an agreement on disinfection, and on cleaning ventilation and air conditioning systems, and regulatory documents, and an obligation to remove solid household garbage and waste. These are the basic papers needed to open a sports store.
Choose a place
It is very important to create a spacious and convenient sports store. A business plan should be calculated taking into account the lease or purchase of an area of about two hundred and fifty square meters. In such a territory, it will be possible to present a fairly diverse assortment and organize a self-service system. It is believed that such an organization increases sales by twenty to forty percent, so you should not make a choice in favor of closed shop windows.
In addition, the location of the store must be territorially correct. Choose a high traffic area with shopping centers and shops nearby. On the main streets, the rental price will be quite large, but if you can afford it, such a choice will also be good. It is not worth opening in a sleeping area, as there the influx of new visitors will be minimal.
Assortment development
It’s important to consider which brands and products you will offer. This must be done before opening a sports store. You can concentrate on current brands, such as Puma, Reebok, Columbia, Adidas and others, or prefer more budget products, for example, from China.
Their quality is slightly inferior to the branded ones, but the price is so lower that for many buyers this becomes a decisive factor. This is also beneficial for the seller, because wholesale deliveries can be ordered quite inexpensively, and the number of suppliers in this sector of the market is impressive. In addition to brands, you need to determine the categories of goods.
As a rule, in the store there are tourist and sportswear, appropriate footwear, equipment, related leisure goods, as well as fitness equipment. You can choose one of the categories as a specialization or present all groups at once. It should be borne in mind that income is in direct proportion to the width of the range. If you are not sure that you can create a really popular specialty store, focus on variety.
Trading floor equipment
Having picked up the goods for sale, you need to deal with their placement. The equipment of sports stores is not much different from most others. All kinds of racks and counters, mannequins, mirrors, cash registers, a video surveillance system will be required. It should be noted that the box office must be registered with the tax office before your sports store opens.
It is easy to make a business plan more economical if you decide to choose used racks. With the passage of time, they can be changed, but for a start, such ones will do. Since there are also small goods at retail outlets of this kind that can easily be endangered by pickpockets, it is worth equipping the hall with the Anti-Theft system with signaling gates at the exit. All this, and even a few guards, guarantees maximum safety and security of products.
Recruitment
Before you open a sports store, you need to select personnel for it. You will need a medium-sized retail outlet: one administrator, up to six sellers and several cashiers, three to four cleaners, and also five to six security people. And cashiers, and sellers, and the administrator should be as communicative and pleasant people that buyers come back to you again and again.
The ability to advise an undecided client, to attract a visitor who came by chance and to reassure a dissatisfied buyer should be fundamental when choosing employees for these positions. If you plan to organize many hours of work days, schedule a work schedule for two shifts.
Supply and Logistics
Regardless of which brand you have chosen, the contract with the supplier must be official. Your partners must inspire confidence and be reliable, because goods that are not delivered on time can undermine the entire work of your store.
Clearly and accurately organize product delivery schedules. The goods can be insured for the duration of transportation, especially if it will be long and over a long distance. Keep a record of all goods and replenish stocks before any unit runs out of stock.
Those that are in particularly high demand, order first. Otherwise, a popular product may disappear from the shelves for some time, and this will seriously affect the attitude of your customers.
Advertising activity
Marketing costs should also be included in the business plan. A sporting goods store will be successful only if there is constant, quality advertising. Sources of information can be newspapers, television channels, radio, Internet sites, mailing lists, booklets, banners and posters. To increase the customer base, establish contacts with sports clubs and gyms, place your business cards in their reception rooms, and offer visitors discount programs.
Do not take sports as a business and just try to take part in the city’s events, providing them with uniforms and equipment. Thus, you will not only disseminate information about yourself, but also win a good reputation in the eyes of local residents. You can also offer your goods to educational institutions, providing them with benefits or installments.
