The Challenge for Independent Shops
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Independent shops have always faced challenges, but in the past two decades the challenges they face have multiplied. They have to compete with more large retail chains and with competition from around the globe via the internet.
Even making your potential customers aware that you exist is a challenge because people are bombarded with advertising from all quarters. The TV, adverts on their phone, billboards, while they surf, in newspapers and magazines and in many other forms. This means that your flyer campaign gets lost in the storm of advertising your potential clients experience every day.
The Advantages Independent Shops Have
The main advantage independent shops have over their chain competitors is their independence. Their ability to act as they see fit without endless meetings, running trials and detailed point by point business plans for every little thing is a great advantage. It means that when you recognise a new opportunity you can move quickly to take advantage of that opportunity.
The scale of an independent shop is also an advantage, because you can clearly see and follow what is going on within your business. Retail chains end up wasting millions every year because the scale of their business means that to keep tabs on, for example their supply chain takes a lot of resources. They frequently drop the ball on analysis in an attempt to cut costs and do not realise until it is too late they have a problem in an element of their business. It is not easy for small businesses either, but it is far more manageable and an independent shop is far more likely to see a problem early and fix it before it impacts on their bottom line.
Independent shops also have a far better choice and control of what they stock. A good independent shop can recognise and respond to customer demands more quickly than large retailers do. This is one of the things that builds a loyal customer base. Customers enjoy shopping in an interesting environment they loathe the sameness of chains and want something different independent shops can take advantage of this.
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Author Resource:-
The Encounter Magazine provides invaluable information and recourses for independent shops to help them to compete effectively in the modern world.
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By :
Gareth Hoyle
Submitted
2011-09-15 08:31:37 |
Article From Article Mayhem
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