Those Starting a Dollar Store Cannot Overlook the Value of Snacks

If you are starting a dollar store there is one department that cannot be forgotten. That department is snacks. This often overlooked department can be a powerhouse for drawing shoppers into your store. Even better, a well stocked snack department will bring shoppers back much more frequently. The dollar store merchandise in this one department will create dollar store sales far in excess of most other departments in your store. In this article I present 4 important considerations about the snack department in your store.

1. Know the pros of carrying snacks.

A well stocked snack department will act as a magnet to many shoppers. They may enter to pick up one candy bar but end up leaving with an assortment of snacks and other dollar store merchandise as well. In fact a well-stocked, properly merchandised snack department can generate dollar store sales far in excess of your expectations.

2. Know the cons of carrying snacks.

There are some very significant cons associated with snack items. For example virtually all snacks come with very tight profit margins. While this is a challenge, selling them quickly creates fast inventory turns of snack items for your business - easing the pressure a little. Most snack items have 'pull-by' dating. You must pay attention to these dates which adds labor to examine and rotate stock so it sells quickly. Other challenges include the affects of heat and cold on some items.

3. Shoppers will appreciate a good assortment of snacks.

One thing about snacks is everyone has their favorites. Grow dollar store sales when starting a dollar store by providing a good assortment of all key products. A full snack department will include assorted candy, gum, cookies, nuts, pop corn, chips and more. Listen to your shoppers and add the items they request. Don't forget to include attention-grabbing signage.

4. Use snacks to draw shoppers further into your store.

Position your snack department so reaching it requires shoppers to walk through other departments in your store. In this way a shopper who is there for a bag of chips will see many other potential dollar store merchandise items to buy prior to getting to their chips. And in most cases that is exactly what will happen - resulting in higher dollar store sales for your store. Even though snacks are not at the front of the store be sure to make them visible to your cashiers. This will help reduce theft of snack items.

To your success when starting a dollar store!

Learn how you can Start your own Dollar Store Business.
Bob Hamilton is an entrepreneur, author, writer, business consultant and trainer.