Specialty Shop Retailing: How to Run Your Own Store (National Retail Federation)

By Carol L. Schroder and Carol L. Schroeder

Book Overview

Praise for Specialty SHOP Retailing "A well-written book which covers all aspects of specialty retailing. A wonderful resource for anyone in retail or thinking about opening a shop." --Kim Mack, Vice President, Crabtree & Evelyn "Specialty Shop Retailing is a bonanza of savvy ideas and an excellent road map to success in specialty retailing. . . . Schroeder apparently has done it all, or most--and, thankfully, she's willing to share it with the rest of us "--Phyllis Sweed, Editor-in-Chief, Gifts and Decorative Accessories "Everything you wanted to know about specialty retailing you can learn right here. . . . A must read by all prospective owners and all key employees. . . . Add your own creativity and fun, and you have the formula for SUCCESS "--Joan F. Gillman, Director of the Family Business Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison "The first book you should read if you want to open a successful retail specialty shop, and a must book to read if you want to compare your store with one of the best in its field."--Bill Haefling, President, Haefling & Haefling, Inc. "If you've ever been in Carol Schroeder's store, you've probably wondered whether she believes in magic. There is something about her shop that creates a magnetic pull. . . . In this book, Carol describes clear, conscious management decisions that work."--Catherine Stover, Editor, Small Business Forum "If you plan to open a specialty retail store, this book is a must . . . I guarantee that those with existing retail operations, regardless of the maturity of the business, will also benefit from this book. Enjoyable reading "--Anne McGilvray, Anne McGilvray & Company "Carol Schroeder's insightful and humorous approach, combined with her broad human understanding and expertise, make for enjoyable as well as instructive reading. This book is essential for anyone who is considering opening a retail store."--William E. Little, Jr., Chairman, George Little Management, Inc. When Carol Schroeder and her husband founded Orange Tree Imports 20 years ago, they had no retail background whatsoever. Carol knew she was in for a learning experience--and learn she did She taught herself merchandise display, record keeping, inventory management, and a myriad of other skills that make up the store owner's craft. Carol is now an award-winning retailer; her "little gift shop" enjoys annual sales of $1.5 million and employs more than 30 people. In this book she shares her learning experience with anyone who dreams of achieving the independence and satisfaction that come with running your own store. But Specialty Shop Retailing is much more than a lively memoir filled with helpful hints. It is a comprehensive guide to every aspect of opening and operating a retail store. Ms. Schroeder covers everything from choosing a location and store design to niche marketing, advertising, and customer service. She supplies more than two dozen forms ready to copy or adapt for use in your own store; and her tutorials on visual merchandising, store design, and advertising are supplemented with beautiful photographs, sample ads, and witty cartoons. The book includes an extensive glossary of retail terms and a bibliography of additional reading sources for help on special topics such as writing a business plan and managing employees. Like any wise businessperson, Carol Schroeder doesn't rely entirely on her own experience. From interviews with dozens of the most successful specialty retailers in the United States and Europe, she culls practical solutions to some of the field's most daunting challenges. She addresses major strategic issues, such as competing with big box discounters and diversifying product mix. Many of these solutions are built on straightforward, simple techniques that can be used in any store setting. Whether you're a seasoned retailer with many years' experience or a novice just beginning to plan a store, Specialty

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0471147214
• ISBN13: 9780471147213
• Release Date: January 1997
• Publisher: Wiley
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 1.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 1.2" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

A great reference book

This book is a must for anyone thinking of jumping into small retail business ownership. It is full of practical information and takes you step by step through what you need to know in the pre-planning process, the 'let's do it" stage and your grand opening-how to open a successful business start to finish. It has been extremely useful to me and I knew almost nothing when I started planning my business.

great book!

This book is everything I had read about it. Thoughtful and complete in describing what it is like to open and run a specialty retail shop. Carol Schroeder seems to have identified all of the areas she would have wanted to be counseled on when starting her own business, and then spends time talking on the topic. This one is worth the money spent!

A Must Read!!

If you have just opened a retail store, are getting ready to open, have begun planning your opening, have a retail store idea in mind, or have ever thought about any kind of retail adventure...this book is a MUST read! Carol Schroeder is an experienced and successful retail owner and she doesn't hesitate to share her knowledge in this book. I will keep this book by my side as I continue to plan my grand opening and beyond.

Couldn't put it down!

I was very happy with this purchase. Although I have one store currently, have had a store in the past, and want more in the future (hence this purchase), I didn't really expect much new information. Not only did I get some great hints, but the book was so well written that I literally grabbed it every minute I could after I received it to keep reading. I finished it in less than 2 days! Very thorough, and suitable for a new or more experienced merchant. Impressed at author's willingness to share her goof-ups as well as her successes. Great value for the price (not one of these cheap, vague pamphlets you see all over the place). Definitely a keeper!

Inspiring

After visiting Ms. Schroeder's store, Orange Tree Imports, I was inspired to open a store of my own. The 'vibe' of her store is truly inspirational. It is one of those miracles of life that she chose to write about running her store! The thoughts and suggestions in this book are invaluable to someone like me, who is interested in opening a store and was inspired by the author's own store. I can't recommend this book enough