What are your Top 5 prep items you would like in a retail store?

T. Riley · Feb 4, 2016

Tikka said: ↑

I'd go with @whynot 's model.

A low investment, low overhead, no rent, no insurance and a well stocked inventory adds to your own preps. Start with items that sell well and quickly; if successful expand.
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60 life straws or tatical flashlights won't be of much value to me when the SHTF, 60#10 cans of wheat is a different matter. That's why our little "pantry" will only sell food. We have the other stuff.

Tikka · Feb 5, 2016

@T. Riley
Locally we have a few brick and mortar stores that sell a variety of natural foods and hard to get natural food items. We shop there as it is convenient. Plus, it is a lot easier to purchase certain items right now as compared to ordering online.

No, IMO they won't be of much use. Tact-i-cool stuff has little use; at least in my opinion.
The only use for high output flashlights we have is to see if the deer are eating corn before we let the Pitts out. The yard is fenced; however, the noise is horrendous.

We have the other "stuff" also. I am blessed with a wife who sees matters the same as I do.

T. Riley · Feb 5, 2016

Tikka said: ↑

We have the other "stuff" also. I am blessed with a wife who sees matters the same as I do.
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Mine finally came around a year ago. She looks for stuff she thinks we will need and surprises me with it. Like it or not, need it or not, she gets a big thank you.

Tikka · Feb 5, 2016

@T. Riley
Ditto and it is a good thing. It needs to be a team. We both contribute to almost everything and I take care of the "toys" and toy food departments.
I involve her and she involves me. 2 Corinthians 6:14 applies more than to just unbelievers; n'est-ce pas?

Tonight we went through next Spring's plantings.

AllTrades · Feb 6, 2016

Thank you all for your responses, gonna take this advice seriously.

AllTrades · Feb 6, 2016

Great advice, I was thinking of something very similar; doing classes on the the weekends with different pieces of gear so people could get their hands on the merchandise and try it out before they buy.

Airtime said: ↑

Brick and mortar businesses are much tougher now with the advent of internet shopping. Folks come in, look and touch, compare prices with Amazon and other on-line retailers who have far less overhead and when their prices are lower and then often order on-line. It is brutal to brick and mortars. It is also difficult to offer the full range of options and choices that people have on-line. You'll need to differentiate in a big way to earn the loyalty and retain people's business while keeping your prices up so that your margins are enough to remain in business.

I can think of two ways you might explore for how to differentiate:
1. Take a lead from scuba businesses. A common business model in that industry (and often many other recreation/adventure businesses) is a three prong approach:
A. Equipment sales and service
B. Training
C. Trips and events

Interestingly these three business dimensions feed the others with an interaction that is good for the bottom line. If you can get a person in the door for one thing, you can often sell the other two over time. A person has an interest in scuba and comes in for a class. Often classes are reasonable priced and mostly benefit the instructor but the shop makes money in that there is some basic equipment like mask, fins and snorkel that is required. They finish the course and then taking a trip or going to some dive function becomes of interest. When people plan a trip to the Caribbean they'll come in looking for what ever new stuff they want to have to get the most from the trip or maybe take another course to improve their diving or specific skills like underwater photography.

So, training sells trips and equipment. Trips/events sell equipment and training. Equipment sells training and trips. To differentiate from Amazon, you need to offer what they can't. You may not have the options for trips but various events could be helpful. You might also be able to cultivate some customer loyalty with those who understand that while your prices may be higher, you would be doing them no favor cutting prices and then going out of business because you just didn't clear enough to remain. But to sell that, there has to be more reason's for them to see you stick around then just stuff for sale.

2. Another dimension on which you might be able to differentiate is anonymity for purchases. Advertise that purchase records are not kept, you take cash or barter, etc. You don't want the soccer mom that heard about Ted Koppel's book and wants some supplies to fear being confused with a Doomsday Prepper but also want to convey to the Doomsday crowd there is advantage to buying from you vs. on-line.

Regardless, your business model needs to be based upon sales for preparation, not supplies available after the bad event; you'll never make it as the bad events are too infrequent and your inventory will be old.

Good luck.
AT
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AllTrades · Feb 6, 2016

Mindgrinder said: ↑

coffee.
without is...shtf every day.
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Agreed.

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