If you have a retail business of any kind then you likely have stock storage requirements – and often, depending upon your merchandise, these may be seasonal, so will vary at different times of the year and will, therefore, need to be altered accordingly.
If your business is of a size that doesn’t merit permanent warehousing provision, then it may well benefit from renting small business storage units. At the times of the year when your business storage requirements are at their height, then you will need a safe and secure storage option – you will need to secure and store your seasonal stock correctly to keep it in good condition to sell to your customers.
Here are some tips regarding attending seasonal markets and fairs:
Choose the correct events
It is likely that there will a number of events throughout the year and it would not prove feasible, nor practical, to attend them all, so choose your events carefully. Establish which events may be most likely to attract your specific, identified target audience. At the event, set-up in an area that will attract a lot of footfall – a café or near the event entrance are always good locations.
Start early
Get to the event location early and get set-up – you need to ensure that you are ready to take advantage of ALL attendees from the first people through the gates/doors and throughout the day.
A late start can rob you of potential customers, as well as perhaps depriving you of a good spot to trade from. Ensure your stand/stall is attractive and accessible – test how it looks both close-up and from a distance.
Plan
Ensure you have an established plan in place – create a checklist of everything you need to set-up and run your stall before you get to the event. Furniture such as tables and chairs may be needed, along with your advertising/marketing materials such as banners, carrier bags, notepads and such.
If it is an event you’ve attended previously, or you have been trading for some time, then you should be able to accurately estimate how much stock you will require for the event and what pricing structure you should be applying.
If you are not a ‘seasoned campaigner’ at these events, take time to assess how much stock you think you will need and ensure that you have enough – it is better to return with some stock unused as opposed to not having enough at the event!
Networking
These seasonal events are not just about selling to customers – they are also great events for networking with other traders that may complement your business. Establish which other traders will be attending the event and compile a list of those you want to meet with – this networking is a great way to share knowledge, information and perhaps even offer trade discounts and discuss potential future business collaborations.
Small business storage
If you are buying stock in bulk, to get a better price or deal, or are stock planning for a longer period, you will need to consider storage options.
It is not ideal to store stock at home or in a garage or garden shed – stock items can get damaged which may render it unsuitable for sale and will, therefore, affect profit margins. You should look to secure effective stock storage – accessing business storage units is an excellent solution. Renting a small business storage unit offers a safe, secure and dry storage space to keep your stock in pristine condition.
Knowing your stock is stored in these professionally managed storage spaces will give you peace of mind that your investment is properly protected.
Chelsea Self Storage
Chelsea Self Storage we have 30 years experience in providing the ideal storage solutions for businesses. We understand the optimal storage methods for archived documents and records and can help you calculate the right size of unit you’ll need to maximise your budget. With some of the lowest competitive rates in the capital, we’re convinced that we can offer a file management solution that’s just right for your business.
We are conveniently located near Kensington, a short walk from the Kings Road in Fulham, and have satisfied clients right across London who can testify to our capability and customer service.
If you need to reclaim valuable office storage space then contact us today and we’ll be happy to help you archive your records safely and securely.
