Stationery is very needed by most of the people. Starting a stationery store will be a good business idea for you. Most of them sell decorative pencils and pens. Some other items which are commonly sold in this store are cards, specialty envelopes, invitations, guest books, journals, and some other supplies for business or school. It will be a promising business with good profit.
Before starting your business, there are some factors you should consider. It will help you make a proper plan so that you can start your business properly.
The first thing you have to do is to decide whether you want to start a general store or to target a niche. Commonly, stationery retail niches sell eco-friendly products, wedding stationery, humorous stationery, stationery for children, or stationery with regional or ethnic products.
After deciding, you have to get the permits from your state. You need it to start your retail business. What you may need include sales tax and use permit, resale permit, fictitious name certificate (DBA), and employer identification number (EIN).
Secure a venue which you will use for your stationery store. You may open an e-commerce shop, a traditional brick and mortar store, a mall kiosk or booth, e-commerce shop, flea market, or rent a space in bazaar. As another alternative, you can start it by opening online stationery store. Once it grows, you can open physical store.
The next thing you have to do is to purchase wholesale stationery from larger distributors or artisan companies. It will help you save your budget. You can also purchase it from an online store which offers you wholesale product.
If you want to open a physical store, you can buy retail supplies such as baskets, shelving, shopping bags, and cash registers. Consider all the things which you will need for your store. On the other hand, if you decide start online store, you will need labels and shipping boxes.
The last thing you have to do s to promote your business. You can do it by printing directories, handing out fliers and coupons, or renting ads. You can do all the things which will complement your business.