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General Retail Business Issues/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| How to best price the products | 1/13/2012 | James E. Dion |
| Q: I'm an artist turned designer. Recently one of London's most prestigious stores expressed a keen ... A: Michaela, I am no expert on VAT but my understanding is that it is paid by you but you then get it ... | ||
| Boutique & specialty stores | 1/12/2012 | James E. Dion |
| Q: My questions weren’t homework. I am about to start approaching clothing & accessory boutique and ... A: Tony, I marked this as a homework question because it requires a lot of research to answer. There is ... | ||
| selling to large retailers | 1/6/2012 | James E. Dion |
| Q: I have been contacted and have a meeting with a buyer from one of the largest department retailers ... A: Sophie, I already answered your prior question and yes, to this one. If you sell under the same ... | ||
| Large Retailer wants to stock products | 1/6/2012 | James E. Dion |
| Q: Happy New Year. I am a small business who designs my products and then has others manufacture ... A: Sophie, Great way to go. If this European retailer is also going to sell online the price will be ... | ||
| Pricing - wholesale & retail | 1/5/2012 | Stu Jordan |
| Q: I’ve a patent pending for necktie. A factory in China helped make my prototype. If I can find a ... A: I am heading away for three weeks so will do my best to answer your questions as well as I can ... | ||
| Pricing - wholesale & retail | 12/20/2011 | Stu Jordan |
| Q: I’ve a patent pending for necktie. A factory in China helped make my prototype. If I can find a ... A: Well done on getting a patent, hope the rest of the process goes well - it is a big thing for ... | ||
| Avg consumer metrics | 11/15/2011 | Jeff Bender |
| Q: Do retailers have a way of determining what their avg customer spends per month or year? How would ... A: This is late and I apologize as I never saw the follow-up question. Their are laws regarding ... | ||
| Customer metrics | 11/9/2011 | James E. Dion |
| Q: Do retailers have a way of determining what their avg customer spends per month or year? How would ... A: Yes, many retailers capture this data at Point of Sale by either asking for a phone number, or ... | ||
| Avg consumer metrics | 11/9/2011 | Jeff Bender |
| Q: Do retailers have a way of determining what their avg customer spends per month or year? How would ... A: Nash, Retailers use this information on a regular basis. The gathering of this information is ... | ||
| Avg consumer metrics | 11/9/2011 | Professor Kevin C. Zook |
| Q: Do retailers have a way of determining what their avg customer spends per month or year? How would ... A: Nash, I hope you are well today. I will answer each question individually. Do retailers have a ... | ||
| all sales are final policy | 10/30/2011 | James E. Dion |
| Q: I ordered from a company and the items were not in stock at the time and the consultant told me they ... A: Although this is not a typical retail question I will attempt to answer. I take it for granted that ... | ||
| Sales Comission for Retail Manager | 10/10/2011 | Stu Jordan |
| Q: I am plannig to open a retail store (jewelry price average range of $50~300) I wonder how commision ... A: Opening a retail business is exciting, so I hope you are enjoying the process. To answer your ... | ||
| Shoe retail | 9/29/2011 | Stu Jordan |
| Q: I am setting up my own shoe business where shoes are made of recycled and sustainable products. Can ... A: Interesting business concept - sustainable footwear! You should be able to generate some great PR ... | ||
| Margin Rate | 9/23/2011 | James E. Dion |
| Q: I saw your previous answer for a question regarding general retail business issue on 4/30/09. You ... A: Aiden, You can look at www.retailowner.com which has some margin info, but the real gold standard is ... | ||
| product scouting/is this a business? | 9/13/2011 | Jeff Bender |
| Q: a friend and I had considered becoming importers/distributors in a particular South American ... A: Daneiel, Most of the larger retailers rely on their buyers, divisionals, and product managers to ... | ||
| starting a furniture business | 8/17/2011 | Stu Jordan |
| Q: My husband and I are considering opening a furniture store in a fairly large town where there is ... A: Starting a business is an exciting time, but if you do not have previous experience in retail, I ... | ||
| distributorship issues | 8/6/2011 | Stu Jordan |
| Q: really glad you are willing to entertain questions from a real beginner. I am seriously considering ... A: Apologies for the delay, I have been very very busy! To answer your questions: a) A way around ... | ||
| New Business - Retail v Wholesale Query | 7/20/2011 | Stu Jordan |
| Q: I recently setup an online shop selling designer doggie clothes and accessories but now I am looking ... A: Doggie accessories - cute! You are correct, there is no magic number for calculating costs. I am ... | ||
| How to determine market saturation | 7/19/2011 | James E. Dion |
| Q: I would like to start a fast food restaurant. Restaurants don't have a good success rate and there ... A: Marva, Saturation is not really the question, what type of fast food are you going to offer? If ... | ||
| Wholesale Pricing Bath & Body Goods | 7/19/2011 | Stu Jordan |
| Q: I currently sell handcrafted glycerin soaps and bath goods. I have a store thrilled with my product ... A: Without more information (do you manufacture or buy from a local distributor, or import these?; how ... | ||
| Surviving a slow economy with a retail business | 7/14/2011 | James E. Dion |
| Q: My consignment( home furnishings)business is going nowhere in this economy despite its location in ... A: Great question. Many retailers are finding that it is quality not quantity of hours that count. You ... | ||
| distributorship issues | 7/5/2011 | Stu Jordan |
| Q: really glad you are willing to entertain questions from a real beginner. I am seriously considering ... A: Apologies for the delay in answering - sometimes business calls! It is great to see you have ... | ||
| Exporting apparel to Holland | 7/5/2011 | James E. Dion |
| Q: My friend is a web designer from Holland with an affinity for brand name men's clothing. When he ... A: Dominic, Great question. Many Europeans notice the difference in prices in the US vs Europe. What ... | ||
| furniture | 6/30/2011 | Jeff Bender |
| Q: what is the markup % of importer to wholesaler in furniture field ? A: Bonny, The markup on furniture really depends upon the type of furniture. high-quality vs assembly ... | ||
| Consumer Behavior | 6/27/2011 | Jeff Bender |
| Q: If you wanted to name a new products that would be acceptable to consumers Through-out the world, ... A: Isa, I would start with the thought process what has potential to offend. Here's the initial list ... | ||
| target mark up & seasonal stores | 6/23/2011 | Stu Jordan |
| Q: I own a retail store in CT. We sell team licensed products ie. yankees, red sox, bruins, dallas ... A: Average Margin I aim for is actually 55% Gross Margin, although the lowest I will accept for a ... | ||
| Items that sell | 6/20/2011 | James E. Dion |
| Q: I believe I last asked you about online businesses in lower volume and you suggested Ebay and ... A: James, Craigslist is not how customers would find your site. Google is the main search engine with ... | ||
| Items that sell | 6/19/2011 | James E. Dion |
| Q: I believe I last asked you about online businesses in lower volume and you suggested Ebay and ... A: James, It is not just about web design. People want and need things, the things they absolutely need ... | ||
| Items that sell | 6/19/2011 | James E. Dion |
| Q: I believe I last asked you about online businesses in lower volume and you suggested Ebay and ... A: James, Think of yourself. For everyday things you either shop locally (and pay a little more for the ... | ||
| Manufacturing markup - clothing | 6/18/2011 | Stu Jordan |
| Q: I manufacture clothing (not in-house, I work with a factory in the United States). I am trying to ... A: Sounds like an exciting time in your business! To be successful, you need sales. In your model, it ... | ||
| target mark up & seasonal stores | 6/17/2011 | Stu Jordan |
| Q: I own a retail store in CT. We sell team licensed products ie. yankees, red sox, bruins, dallas ... A: Your first question is a big one - and I have written about this many times. I do not believe for a ... | ||
| Evaluating Trends | 6/8/2011 | Jeff Bender |
| Q: I work for a non-profit public library. I am trying to analyze the trends of our patrons when it ... A: Carl, There really is no standard for trends. However, I would say in regards to your segment going ... | ||
| Evaluating Trends | 6/8/2011 | Professor Kevin C. Zook |
| Q: I work for a non-profit public library. I am trying to analyze the trends of our patrons when it ... A: Carl, I hope you are doing well today. When you are looking for trends to evaluate, you want to go ... | ||
| Evaluating Trends | 6/8/2011 | James E. Dion |
| Q: I work for a non-profit public library. I am trying to analyze the trends of our patrons when it ... A: Carl, Interesting question! Your approach appears to be a good one. With trends, generally the ... | ||
| BUSINESS OUT OF NYCH | 6/7/2011 | James E. Dion |
| Q: MY NAME IS ROSEMARY AND AM CURRENTLY LIVING IN A NEW YORK CITY HOUSING APARTMENT. I WANT TO START A ... A: It would depend on what type of business and the rules of your apartment association. Some buildings ... | ||
| Retail | 6/4/2011 | James E. Dion |
| Q: What types of products tend to sell these days online? I am looking for an online business I could ... A: James, My experience with Craigslist has been different here in Chicago, so it is probably dependent ... | ||
| Retail | 6/4/2011 | James E. Dion |
| Q: What types of products tend to sell these days online? I am looking for an online business I could ... A: James, To your first question, people are buying on line like crazy. On line sales are up double ... | ||
| gross margin for selling to Mass merchandisers | 5/7/2011 | James E. Dion |
| Q: I own a company which sells floral items to large retailers. For these products after considering ... A: Mark, What you are telling me, if I interpret your description correctly, is that after all ... | ||
| wholesale price with pos cost and delivery cost | 4/28/2011 | Stu Jordan |
| Q: we sell handmade sweets. our cost includes ingredients and packaging is £2.44(no labour cost ... A: As it so happens, I am in the confectionery business - as a retailer, so this question is one I am ... | ||
| Retail to wholesale | 4/25/2011 | Stu Jordan |
| Q: Stu, I have a furniture import store and due to the economy it is very slow. I have thought about ... A: Furniture retailing is incredibly competitive and one of the hardest hit during recession - people ... | ||
General Retail Business Issues
Answers by Expert:
James E. Dion
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
Most questions about trends in specialty retail, how customers are changing both in the US and Europe. Demographics for all countries as they relate to retail trends and issues. Store Operations, Buying and Merchandising.
Experience
Over 40 years in the retail industry, store level, store manager, buyer, merchandise manager, Vice President.
Education/Credentials
BS Psychology, MS Psychology, PhD(abd) Industrial Psychology Illinois Institute of Technology
Past/Present Clients
Microsoft, Harley-Davidson, Ritz-Carlton, Hummer, Williams-Sonoma, Ace Hardware, Coleman Spas, Aldo, Intel, Dell, Safeway, New Balance, IBM, Kodak, Bata International, Nortel Networks, Honey Baked Ham Co., Man Alive, Highsmith
B.S Chicago State University
M.S. Chicago State University
PhD (abd) Illinois Institute of Technology
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