How To Open a Dollar Store

Welcome to Kole Imports, your guide to information about how to open a dollar store.  One dollar retail is very popular these days, and we have been in the business for more than 2 decades.  Dollar and 99 cent stores are more popular than ever now, and shoppers seek out dollar stores, looking for everyday staple items and unique bargains.

What do you need to know before opening a dollar store?  Start with financing.  Make sure you have enough money in cash, or enough credit to cover the costs of securing a location (buying or renting) and stocking your store with good merchandise.  Of course, the size of this initial investment depends on the real estate market in your area and the size of your store.  

Make sure you know the area in which your store will be located.  This sounds like common sense, but many people open stores in bad locations because they found a deal on a lease or because they like the building.  Make sure there are lots of potential customers in the area who already shop near your store.  This way it will be much more likely that they will discover your business.  Even if you have the nicest looking store in the world, if you don't have customers you're out of business.  Make sure your store is easy to see from the street.  Make sure it clearly looks like a dollar or 99 cent store from a distance.  

Stock your store with good-quality merchandise, and make sure you have unique impulse items as well as common household supplies.  Think like a customer.  Chances are, the things you like to see in dollar stores you visit are the things which will sell well in your store.  

Once you have a location and are fully stocked with merchandise, you'll need to advertise.  This could mean a big sign out front, local print ads, maybe even TV or radio commercials.  You need to think about your target market and how best to reach them.  When you run a store, you are in the business of sales, and you must think of creative ways to interest customers in your products.  Many store owners make the mistake of opening a store, not advertising it at all, and sitting and waiting for customers to show up.

These are some more pages about Kole Imports with helpful tips and advice on how you can open a dollar store.

About Kole Imports - Learn a little bit about our company and what we do.

Company History - Kole Imports continues to grow and improve.  See how it all started.

Company Tour - See who we are and what we do.  Take a tour.

Location -  Come see us in our Carson, California showroom and Warehouse.

Effective Dollar Store Merchandising  -  How can you most effectively sell your merchandise?  What can you do to attract loyal customers and keep them interested in your store?

Products -  Find out what items and products you should sell.

Newsletter -  Keep up to date with the world of wholesale retail, and find valuable information in back issues of the Kole Imports Newsletter.

Purpose -  What is the purpose of a one dollar or 99 cent store?  Find out here.

Tips for opening dollar stores -  If you're thinking of opening a store, read our tips and see if there's anything you haven't thought of.

Trade Show Calendar -  See us in a city near you.  Click to find out where we'll be and when.