Odds and Ends You Might Have Forgotten For Your New Store

When you are starting a new business, you will find that there are all sorts of little things that the business needs. With everything going on, it can be all too easy to forget to purchase some very important items. While they might seem minor or even not worth the expense initially, they can make your life as a business owner much easier. These are some of the odds and ends that you might forget to purchase for your new store that you should pick up before opening day.

Basic Cleaning Supplies

Despite how important cleanliness is, many business owners forget to purchase cleaning supplies and make cleaning a part of the day. Make it a point to purchase a broom and dustpan, sponges, rags, paper towels, cleaning chemicals, and a vacuum. By having all of these things on hand, you can keep your store clean and tidy for visitors. 

Even if your business doesn’t produce much dirt or grease on a day-to-day basis, you should still have cleaning supplies on hand in case of an accident, spill, or other incident. If you don’t have time to clean the whole business every day, clean at least once a week. You can quickly wipe down door handles and other commonly touched areas each day for the health and safety of you and your employees.

Adequate Signage

You probably need a variety of signage for your business, but you may have forgotten to order ones beyond just the signs that go on your storefront or the front door. While those exterior signs are certainly important, signage throughout your store helps keep the place organized. You may need to order signage to place above the different aisles in your store or in certain departments so that your customers are able to find all of the things that they need. 

Having the right signage can save you a lot of time as you won’t have to constantly be running back and forth to show your customers where items are that they are looking for. Also, because customers will have an easier time finding what they’re looking for, they’ll have a better impression of your business. Even if they can’t find what they’re looking for, they’ll appreciate not having to waste time looking through every single aisle.

Displays and Fixtures

You’ve likely got shelves for your business already. However, you will also likely need displays and fixtures for your store. Having your products nicely displayed and organized means that customers will be better able to find what they’re looking for. If they can’t find it, you’ll lose out on potential sales. To prevent this, make sure you have display racks and tables so that your store doesn’t look cluttered or messy. You can also set up displays to highlight products that are on sale or that you want customers to notice first. Displays that are near the register or at the end of aisles are also a great way to encourage impulse purchases to drive up your sales. You can find these types of things at companies like Plastic Displays and Fixtures Co. Inc.

Sufficient Inventory

It’s not uncommon for many business owners to forget to order more inventory when their stock starts getting low. This can end up being disastrous, and you don’t want your customers to come into your store and not be able to purchase what they need. This is why you need to make sure you have a sufficient amount of inventory before you open your new store. Also establish an inventory system and check your inventory on a weekly basis so that you can make sure that you order items when your stock starts to run low.

Surveillance Cameras

Security is important for any business. If you put off installing proper security, you make yourself and your store a target for unscrupulous individuals. Putting visible surveillance cameras up in your store can help deter would-be thieves. Surveillance cameras can also help reduce the amount you spend on insurance, since cameras make it more likely that property can be recovered.

However, surveillance cameras are good for more than just preventing theft. It’s also a good way to monitor your employees’ performance, especially when you’re not in the store all day. While you likely don’t need to micromanage your employees—and they likely won’t appreciate it—having cameras is a good idea. If you notice that sales are lower than expected or if you receive customer complaints, you may want to check on how your employees are spending their time during the work day. If you have proof that they aren’t working as they should, you can use the footage when you approach them about the issue. If you do have to fire an employee, you can use the footage to prevent lawsuits in case your former employees complain of unfair termination.

You’re likely excited to open up your new store, and you should be! However, you shouldn’t let the excitement of starting your new business make you get ahead of yourself. By preparing fully, you’ll be able to prevent unexpected issues from popping up when your grand opening comes. Make sure you take the time to consider purchasing all of the items and products that you need. The items mentioned above so that you can help ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible when you’re finally ready to flip that ‘open’ sign on your front door.