2000 sq ft of retail space. What to do with it?
Discussion
I have a large shop in an affluent area in the south of England (not London). It is not 'on the high street' but is only a minutes walk. Lots of independent retailers in the town. There is a small amount of parking onsite - say 4 cars, but on street parking is close by.
I don't want to lease it out and would rather try and build a retail brand myself (I like working). I am currently running it as a retail outlet but the product is not as saleable as it used to be!
Discussion and ideas welcomed!
I don't want to lease it out and would rather try and build a retail brand myself (I like working). I am currently running it as a retail outlet but the product is not as saleable as it used to be!
Discussion and ideas welcomed!
Very locationally dependent.
That being said, how about a cycle shop and cafe like this...
Http://www.thevelohouse.com/
That being said, how about a cycle shop and cafe like this...
Http://www.thevelohouse.com/
randlemarcus said:
Christmas tat shop, then use those profits to build an idea afterwards 
Probably too late for that already... you would have needed stock and marketing in place at the start of this month. So many people have already 'done' their Christmas shopping.I'd love a shop which operates a bit like a department store, so the overall space is yours but you let it out to small 'concessions' within the store. So many people have interesting passions, and it'd be great to bring together small niches under one roof.
Whether it would work or not is another question.
Not enough info in the op for me to work it out but (this is probably obvious) -
Something you have a passion for and good knowledge of.
Find a need and fill it.
Price, Quality, customer service.
Profit.
BTW 2000sqft isn't large, I design stores that are up to 100,000sqft.
Something you have a passion for and good knowledge of.
Find a need and fill it.
Price, Quality, customer service.
Profit.
BTW 2000sqft isn't large, I design stores that are up to 100,000sqft.
Edited by Foliage on Friday 21st November 12:20
Edited by Foliage on Friday 21st November 12:20
Dr Interceptor said:
I'd love a shop which operates a bit like a department store, so the overall space is yours but you let it out to small 'concessions' within the store. So many people have interesting passions, and it'd be great to bring together small niches under one roof.
Whether it would work or not is another question.
Such a good idea that I suggested it a few posts above!!Whether it would work or not is another question.
Yes it should work, there's been a few round here (N Yorks) where old large stores that are vacant have been split into areas where different traders can make it their own, with better quality than a bazaar or a market.
soxboy said:
Dr Interceptor said:
I'd love a shop which operates a bit like a department store, so the overall space is yours but you let it out to small 'concessions' within the store. So many people have interesting passions, and it'd be great to bring together small niches under one roof.
Whether it would work or not is another question.
Such a good idea that I suggested it a few posts above!!Whether it would work or not is another question.
Yes it should work, there's been a few round here (N Yorks) where old large stores that are vacant have been split into areas where different traders can make it their own, with better quality than a bazaar or a market.
Frimley111R said:
soxboy said:
Dr Interceptor said:
I'd love a shop which operates a bit like a department store, so the overall space is yours but you let it out to small 'concessions' within the store. So many people have interesting passions, and it'd be great to bring together small niches under one roof.
Whether it would work or not is another question.
Such a good idea that I suggested it a few posts above!!Whether it would work or not is another question.
Yes it should work, there's been a few round here (N Yorks) where old large stores that are vacant have been split into areas where different traders can make it their own, with better quality than a bazaar or a market.
soxboy said:
Dr Interceptor said:
I'd love a shop which operates a bit like a department store, so the overall space is yours but you let it out to small 'concessions' within the store. So many people have interesting passions, and it'd be great to bring together small niches under one roof.
Whether it would work or not is another question.
Such a good idea that I suggested it a few posts above!!Whether it would work or not is another question.
Yes it should work, there's been a few round here (N Yorks) where old large stores that are vacant have been split into areas where different traders can make it their own, with better quality than a bazaar or a market.
It is a good idea though
Those mini-department stores can be quite difficult from the owner's POV. First problem is that they will often be dealing with people who aren't really business minded, and who will sometimes not come in to work leaving their stalls empty and unattended, which makes the other units look bad. And quite often there's difficulty getting the rent out of them when they find that their businesses aren't making any money.
Apologies for the delay in participating and thanks for the replies.
I don't want to break up the space - would prefer to retain full control and use myself.
A little more background info. I'm an antiques ( not antique!) dealer. Have been for nearly 30 years. I've seen ups and downs, recessions and changes in fashion and taste before but I feel that this time it is different.
I was thinking along the lines of a reinvention of what I do. Maybe a life/home type store along the lines of OKA or similar. I know there are plenty of these type of shops out there but their very existence proves a demand. The Laura Ashley shop in the town is less than half the size of my shop - not that I'm saying I want that type only comparing sizes!
I have spent a considerable amount of time in India and Indonesia over the years and I see the amount of goods to buy over there. All replaceable at the click of a mouse as well. I understand that all this comes under the 'what's in fashion' banner as well, but there seems much more opportunity for a certain amount of reinvention with this.
It would be good for me to stumble across a brand on my travels in the East and be able to import it!
I don't want to break up the space - would prefer to retain full control and use myself.
A little more background info. I'm an antiques ( not antique!) dealer. Have been for nearly 30 years. I've seen ups and downs, recessions and changes in fashion and taste before but I feel that this time it is different.
I was thinking along the lines of a reinvention of what I do. Maybe a life/home type store along the lines of OKA or similar. I know there are plenty of these type of shops out there but their very existence proves a demand. The Laura Ashley shop in the town is less than half the size of my shop - not that I'm saying I want that type only comparing sizes!
I have spent a considerable amount of time in India and Indonesia over the years and I see the amount of goods to buy over there. All replaceable at the click of a mouse as well. I understand that all this comes under the 'what's in fashion' banner as well, but there seems much more opportunity for a certain amount of reinvention with this.
It would be good for me to stumble across a brand on my travels in the East and be able to import it!
The suggestion of mine (and Dr Interceptors) doesn't involve any physical split of the building, just delineating specified plots for each of the traders.
It could probably work quite well if you wanted other antiques dealers in there for example, such as you doing Indonesian, someone else doing French, another vintage etc.
Traders would be on a very flexible licence, if you don't like it don't worry you can easily change it with no long term commitment from either side. Shouldn't cost much either to do - low costs for you as you're doing little more than marketing and a bit of housekeeping, whilst the traders have hardly any start up costs and the chance to have a high street premises at a fraction of the price.
It could probably work quite well if you wanted other antiques dealers in there for example, such as you doing Indonesian, someone else doing French, another vintage etc.
Traders would be on a very flexible licence, if you don't like it don't worry you can easily change it with no long term commitment from either side. Shouldn't cost much either to do - low costs for you as you're doing little more than marketing and a bit of housekeeping, whilst the traders have hardly any start up costs and the chance to have a high street premises at a fraction of the price.
soxboy said:
The suggestion of mine (and Dr Interceptors) doesn't involve any physical split of the building, just delineating specified plots for each of the traders.
It could probably work quite well if you wanted other antiques dealers in there for example, such as you doing Indonesian, someone else doing French, another vintage etc.
Traders would be on a very flexible licence, if you don't like it don't worry you can easily change it with no long term commitment from either side. Shouldn't cost much either to do - low costs for you as you're doing little more than marketing and a bit of housekeeping, whilst the traders have hardly any start up costs and the chance to have a high street premises at a fraction of the price.
A couple of my local antiques centres operate like that. The way it works is the owner hires out a space for a set amount per month to a trader who is then responsible for providing display shelves and stock and keeping it topped up, but they don't actually have to be there on a day to day basis. The shop owners themselves provides sales staff and take a commission on any sales made. It could probably work quite well if you wanted other antiques dealers in there for example, such as you doing Indonesian, someone else doing French, another vintage etc.
Traders would be on a very flexible licence, if you don't like it don't worry you can easily change it with no long term commitment from either side. Shouldn't cost much either to do - low costs for you as you're doing little more than marketing and a bit of housekeeping, whilst the traders have hardly any start up costs and the chance to have a high street premises at a fraction of the price.
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