It's often hard to know which merchandise to add after opening a dollar store.  It can be confusing since dollar store sale levels can change on a daily basis during those first few weeks.  Yet somehow you must make sense from what is happening to minimize the time until dollar store profits begin to appear.  Fortunately there is one dollar store merchandise category that can be depended on to quickly begin to grow.  That category is groceries and snacks.  Yet it is important to move forward cautiously as you begin to add products to the grocery mix.  There is some level of risk, and you cannot afford to make a mistake during those early days of business.

If you are opening a dollar store be sure to start with just the basics unless you have prior grocery experience.  Canned good, spices and other grocery items with long shelf life are a good place to start.  As customers become aware you carry these items they will ask about plans to add more.  They will even offer their suggestions about items they would purchase.  As a consistent message emerges you can slowly add items to the dollar store merchandise mix with lower risk.  Just remember most food items come with regulations regarding handling and dating issues.

One inexpensive category to consider adding is fruit and produce.  Locate a local wholesaler and discuss this option.  For a few hundred dollars per month you can bring in a small selection; with fresh, new items delivered once or twice per week.  Just remember shelf life is extremely short.  You need to promote these items to build traffic and dollar store sale levels quickly.  Remember; if you fail to promote correctly there will be a negative impact on your dollar store profits.

Bakery items such as bread and pastries is another popular and low cost product group to bring in.  As you are building your customer base you will find many appreciate the convenience of picking up these staples while in your store.  Once again shelf life is limited and pull dates come quickly.  Be sure to start cautiously and grow inventory only as sales warrant.

As overall grocery sales build there will come a time to consider adding refrigeration and freezer capacity.  This is a significant investment in equipment, maintenance and electricity, so make sure you have a solid following before making this move.  However, adding this equipment opens the door for a significant increase in dollar store sale levels and even dollar store profits for you store, as shoppers coming in for grocery products will pick up other dollar store merchandise while in your store.  That's exactly the response you seek when opening a dollar store.

While adding these specialty items don't forget about your core grocery products.  Adding items like cereal, sauces, and mixes is important to accommodating your shoppers.  However, by growing your grocery selection your total dollar store sale levels will increase.  There is work and risk to moving too quickly, but as you build your customer base they will return frequently to pick up grocery items they need.  If you have a well-merchandised store you will find sales of other dollar store merchandise will grow as well, and with that your dollar store profits will grow.

To your success when opening a dollar store!

About the Author:

Find out how you can open your own dollar store business.
Bob Hamilton is an entrepreneur, author, writer, business consultant and trainer.

Author: Bob Hamilton