As I am standing in our boutique I would like to know what can make it more enticing for people to come in and have a browse. We have a good customer flow but I want to make it better. If you have a sensible idea please reply to this blog. As opinions count in this industry - retail - I want to know your feedback. I have been discussing many ideas about how to change the layout of the shop, whether its better to have a bunch of rails in the store for customers to look through or to have more fixed attachments on the walls. Should I put wood down on the floor to cover up the old carpet thats in here? Do people really care what's on the floor of a shop? How about more complimentary clothing to show that corsets are not just underwear? Hmmmm......
Skirts I think is a definate must as they work so well with a corset and can make them more versatile than just underwear. An unlimited budget would be handy but that just ain't gonna happen. Back to reality. Something sensible and beneficial.
Wednesday 5 October 2011
Monday 14 March 2011
Cheap Commercial - What recession?
Been trying to rent a commercial property in town recently and so far have found that it is harder than pulling teeth. I am constantly being told that properties are "a dime a dozen" in Dublin and the landlord will kit the place out for you and even give up to 18 months rent free. Just to get you in the door so they can have someone in it to breath a bit of life into the area. Over here in the west coast its a completely different story. They have been stubbornly denying any sort of recession going on for the last two years and now that many of the shops are closing down due to high rents and lets not forget the high rates, they are still turning a blind eye to what is happening around them and shame on you if you dare make an enquiry about an empty premises.
It makes no difference if the property has been vacated for two years or more, the landlords around here still want maximum rent, dreaming of the hay day when money was no object. And hell and damnation to you if you dare to fund the start up yourself and not put yourself into massive hock just to be able to give them their exorbitant deposits and rental up front. If you dare to even ask for a rent free period like they do in the capital then you just get the door slammed in your face. The estate agents are just as bad, I believe they are all in cahoots together to keep the prices artificially high and pass the message around that there are savvy people about town who do not want to pay the ridiculous prices so don't entertain them.
If you are a sensible person and do not want to splash the cash then you are out of luck. Keeping your costs down to a minimum to keep your monthly expenditures low to enable you to open and survive this recession just does not seem to be an acceptable option around here. Wake up and smell the coffee people. The town is going to be empty before long and will become a ghost town having the odd novelty shop and supermarket.
Only one option left and that is to try another town and hope that the landlords are a bit more savvy and aware of what is going on in this country. It's better to have a shop let for something at least and looked after than letting it run itself into the ground just because you are too stubborn to see sense.
It makes no difference if the property has been vacated for two years or more, the landlords around here still want maximum rent, dreaming of the hay day when money was no object. And hell and damnation to you if you dare to fund the start up yourself and not put yourself into massive hock just to be able to give them their exorbitant deposits and rental up front. If you dare to even ask for a rent free period like they do in the capital then you just get the door slammed in your face. The estate agents are just as bad, I believe they are all in cahoots together to keep the prices artificially high and pass the message around that there are savvy people about town who do not want to pay the ridiculous prices so don't entertain them.
If you are a sensible person and do not want to splash the cash then you are out of luck. Keeping your costs down to a minimum to keep your monthly expenditures low to enable you to open and survive this recession just does not seem to be an acceptable option around here. Wake up and smell the coffee people. The town is going to be empty before long and will become a ghost town having the odd novelty shop and supermarket.
Only one option left and that is to try another town and hope that the landlords are a bit more savvy and aware of what is going on in this country. It's better to have a shop let for something at least and looked after than letting it run itself into the ground just because you are too stubborn to see sense.
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