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Successful retailing requires that efforts be put into capitalizing on all major holidays. To best meet the needs of customers, there is considerable advanced planning, buying, merchandise handling, and advertising. All of these combine to create the best opportunity for those who start a dollar store to achieve success. In this article we will examine steps to take, and when to take them to best meet the winter holiday season. Specifically, we will examine Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The same strategies can be applied to other holidays that are acknowledged and celebrated by your stores demographic throughout the year.

Halloween buying should start in the early spring. Several trade shows offer merchandise for all of the mentioned holidays during the spring. Place your initial orders for items that you see in bulk quantity, hot, popular items, and specials. Schedule delivery for August at the latest. Other Halloween merchandise can be purchased closer to the holiday. In all cases be sure that all merchandise is in your store by late August, however. In most locations it is acceptable to start displaying Halloween merchandise the last week of August through the first week of September. Shoppers will start asking for the merchandise just after their kids return to school.

When you start a dollar store you will soon discover Thanksgiving and Christmas merchandise can be handled together. Once again well-chosen spring trade shows will be the best source for items that you seek in bulk quantity, hot, popular items, and specials. Search closeout and liquidator companies for deeply discounted new merchandise. While this merchandise if often new, you must purchase in bulk containers. However, the cost will generally be just pennies on the dollar, so the risk is small when compared to the extra profit margins. While most wholesale distributors carry seasonal merchandise right up until the holiday arrives, there is no guarantee the very items you seek will be available when needed.

Thanksgiving and Christmas merchandise can generally be placed on display in early September. Smaller stores may need to place the merchandise in temporary locations throughout the store and then move the displays later. Work to move the merchandise closer and closer to the front of the store as the holiday approaches. The goal is to sell out on the holiday. Plan to carry no holiday items over, even if it requires discounting and closing out the excess merchandise.

It should be noted that many closeout and liquidation opportunities for new merchandise can be in late spring and early summer. While you will typically be required to buy mixed lots and some of the items will be in quantities well beyond your ability to sell, other smaller retailers in your locale might be willing to purchase your excess items at the deeply discounted price you paid. You won’t make much profit on those specific items using this strategy, but you will be able to liquidate them for close to your cost in time to use the money to purchase other seasonal merchandise. When you start a dollar store business one of the secrets to success is making creative moves like this throughout the year.

To your dollar store success!

Are you interested in opening you own dollar store? Check out “A Beginner’s Guide to Opening a Dollar Store at http://www.OpeningADollarStore.com

Bob Hamilton is an entrepreneur, author, writer, business consultant and trainer.

http://www.marketingsuccesscenter.com