| Those who are opening a dollar store are always | | | | dollar store in-stock inventory levels can be dropped |
| looking for operational strategies that help to reduce | | | | to critically low levels before reordering. |
| the cash invested in the start-up and ongoing | | | | Entrepreneurs who are opening a dollar store must |
| operation of their stores. An area of focus is often | | | | know their shoppers. They must be able to anticipate |
| the merchandise inventory level that is maintained. | | | | their buying needs and their buying patterns. Then it |
| One strategy for reducing the amount of inventory | | | | is possible to forecast sales of consumer goods and |
| that is maintained when opening a dollar store is to | | | | other staples. With that forecast in-hand work can be |
| use suppliers as your warehouse. | | | | completed to order critical products before they are |
| You must remain focused on maintaining minimum | | | | completely out of stock. |
| inventory levels. When opening a dollar store if the | | | | You must have a good inventory system so that |
| right tools and systems are in-place suppliers can | | | | you can tell at a glance if in-stock inventory levels |
| actually become the warehouse for your business. | | | | require replenishment. It doesn't matter whether you |
| This requires smaller and more frequent orders. It | | | | are using a checklist, a Point-of-Sale system or a |
| also requires management that pays attention to the | | | | computerized order, inventory and sales system, |
| details and invests time on a more frequent basis. | | | | there must be easy access to current inventory |
| Inventory levels must be examined more frequently. | | | | data. |
| Orders must be written and transmitted more | | | | You must have suppliers that can be counted on to |
| frequently. The result can be a lower cash | | | | ship promptly. You must also have freight carriers |
| investment in inventory when this is properly | | | | that can be counted on to promptly deliver |
| executed. | | | | replenishment merchandise. Working with a freight |
| While this sounds simple it requires a great deal of | | | | company that picks up merchandise from a |
| knowledge about the store, the desires of the | | | | distributor on the east coast and then takes that |
| customers, and ongoing inventory levels. It also | | | | merchandise on a cross-country trip before returning |
| requires strong relationships with suppliers and with | | | | to your store which is also located on the east coast |
| freight companies that are used to transport goods | | | | will not work. For this to work when opening a dollar |
| to the store. When all of these exist after opening a | | | | store the actual delivery time must be minimized. |