Make the Right Location Decision When Opening a Dollar Store

There is no hiding the fact that when opening a dollar· Neighboring businesses and nearby competition.
store your store's location can literally make or breakWhen opening a dollar store it is important to examine
your business. Yet there are so many considerationsthe businesses in the surrounding area. Having other
entering into the decision about the right location. Whileestablished, success retailers who cater to your target
you must examine every aspect of each locationdemographic provides a positive signal about sales,
under consideration, how can a location ever bedollar store profits and your business prospects.
considered to be perfect? Which of the criteria canGaining early traffic for your store will be much easier
you sacrifice but still achieve dollar store profits? Howas well.
can you make up for shortcomings when they do· Number of targeted shoppers in the immediate area
exist? The list goes on and on. Some would-beCheck the population and demographics for the
entrepreneurs may actually opt-out from starting theirsurrounding area as a part of your fact-finding and due
business just because location is so important anddiligence. Having a good sized population of targeted
they feel there isn't a perfect location in existence.customers in the immediate area is just one more hint
Read on as I review some of the most importantthat this is a location to seriously consider.
location considerations.· Signage
· Size of the space under considerationExamine the current space allowed for business
Make sure the space provides required squaresignage. If it is inadequate negotiate signage allotment
footage for not only the sales floor, but also an officeas a part of your lease. Remember to obtain required
area, employee areas if needed, and receiving andapprovals and permits early-on as well. Signs add to
back stock storage space. Inadequate sales floorthe visibility and name recognition of your business.
space likely means lower sales and dollar store profits.· Parking lot entrance and egress
If there are plans for a quick expansion make sure theIt seems like such a small factor, yet ease of parking
required extra area is available without requiring all thelot entrance and egress is a big deal for those opening
costs, labor and business rebuilding associated with aa dollar store. Your shoppers will make quick trips to
complete store relocation.your store. They need fast entrance and exit so they
· Amount of fix-up requiredcan resume their day.
Not only do upgrades, refurbishing, and other fix-ups· Number of parking spaces and even their relative
cost money, but this work can often significantly delayproximity to your store
your store grand opening plans. If repairs are requiredYour dollar store profits and success depend on
clearly negotiate who does what and a timeline fordrawing huge crowds of shoppers. Make sure you are
completion with your landlord.set for success by having an adequate number of
· Traffic counts and visibilityparking spaces. Just as your shoppers look for easy
Traffic is one of the basic, core considerations whenentrance and exit from the parking lot, so too they look
opening a dollar store. You are entering a high volumefor parking that allows quick, easy movement to and
business and traffic is required. High traffic counts withfrom your store. As a result those parking spaces
clear, easy visibility brings you closer to a trueneed to be right in front of your store.
prospective site that will provide dollar store profits andTo your success when opening a dollar store!
success.