Setting up a shop, retail unit or market stall is one of the most accessible small business start-up options - it needs no specific training, no compulsory qualifications and no large capital outlay. Give your business a head start by following the advice in this book to make sure your business is built on solid foundations. It will tell you: how to research your business idea to ensure it will be a success; what you need to do to turn your idea into reality; and, how to manage yourself, your stock and your money to power ahead through good times and bad. No other book divulges this sort of insider knowledge of the retail trade. Author Val Clarke has over ten years' experience of starting up shops, running and selling them as well as importing and wholesaling. She has traded in a wide variety of goods, from clothing to furniture. Her latest venture, a mainstream gift and jewellery shop, opened in September 2007. This business is thriving, proving that her methods are successful and that times of economic downturn are also times of opportunity for the shrewd shopkeeper. 'When I opened my first shop I wished there was a book to help me. I learnt by trial and error, from my own mistakes and those of others. With this book you'll speed up the learning process and start to make a profit from day one'!

Learn how to manage your non-profit gift shop, whether you are managing a hospital gift shop, zoo or museum shop or any kind of non-profit entity. Nancy Kirk, former gift shop manager, has written the ultimate guide to running a successful non-profit gift shop. Learn how to minimize efforts to maximize profits regardless of whether you are opening a new gift shop, or running an existing gift shop. Learn how your gift shop's profits can really make a significant impact on the philanthropic causes of any non-profit organization. Make a real contribution with profits from volunteer operated gift shops! This book shows you how in simple, easy to understand steps, complete with ready-to-use forms! Anyone running a hospital gift shop, a gift shop in a zoo, a local library gift shop, or gifts shops in municipal parks, or museums gift shops will find valuable information in this easy to read 244 page how-to guide.

Looking to start your own gift shop? "How to START: a Gift Shop" is the ultimate guide for aspiring entrepreneurs. This comprehensive book covers everything you need to know to start and run a successful gift shop, from developing a business plan to identifying target customers and creating a strong brand. You'll learn how to source and merchandise products, establish an online presence, and create a comfortable shopping environment that will keep customers coming back. With practical tips and real-world examples, "How to START: a Gift Shop" is the perfect resource for anyone looking to turn their passion for gift-giving into a profitable business.

Shirley George Frazier, a successful home-based gift basket entrepreneur, shows readers how to cultivate their creativity and employ savvy marketing techniques to run a thriving gift basket business.

The author shares her experience and down-to-earth advice on every aspect of setting up and running a thriving business.

If you have ever considered opening a used bookstore, here is your chance to learn from someone who knows first-hand what it takes. Author Stephanie Chandler is the owner of Book Lovers Bookstore in Sacramento, CA. Features in this workbook include: *Worksheets: Budget planning, evaluating competition, forecasting, and more. *Business Basics: What you need to get started. *Inventory: Twelve sources for acquiring used books. *Suppliers: Library supplies, printed goods, retail supplies and more. *Shop Setup: Store layout, book categories, bookseller software and tools. *Operations Procedures: Trade policies, overstock, and a sample operations manual. *Marketing: Low-cost and no-cost tactics for maximizing exposure. *Website: Steps for setting up a website and selling books online. *Resources: Dozens of useful website links. *Business Plan: Sample business plan (actual plan used for Book Lovers Bookstore).