From Online to Offline

[Cheshire Vapes]

Hope the shop works out well for you Jason i would imagine in any shop that cig-a-likes would be the most popular but then just being able to walk in to somewhere and see that there is more to it should open their eyes and realize...theres more to 'smoke' than just tobacco

[hifistud]

Nov 23, 2011 22:57:46 GMT DiscoDes said:

Nov 23, 2011 20:16:03 GMT VE Jason said:

Because the counter is inside a building that has a lease/mortgage/business rates etc.

Granted, but you said you were going to use the building as office/stores anyway so therefore you already had the cost factored in.

Not the case. Insurances for retail premises are much higher than for office/storage (the opportunity for pilfering is higher), UBR varies by premise type in some authorities, display stands/stock/shopfitting are not needed in storage/office facilities, and staffing costs are higher - in an office only environment you can close up and nip out for lunch and divert the phone - you can't do that in a shop, so more staff required.

Finally, stock - you have to carry more of the slow moving lines, and that ties up capital that could otherwise be used for the fast-selling stuff - it's all a very different proposition.

[Perpetua]

Hifi's answer is absolutely spot on . . . Business Rates were calculated by 'zoning' a premises when I had my shop, locally here, that meant having a bod from the Valuation Office out with his tape measure as it was then, doing the calculations and then producing the figures.

Which were then of course reviewed ( upwards ) periodically . . . when my lease came to an end in 2010, I was paying £22,500 a year just on rent/rates for premises in small village High Street.

[DiscoDes]

Nov 24, 2011 12:21:25 GMT Perpetua said:

Hifi's answer is absolutely spot on . . . Business Rates were calculated by 'zoning' a premises when I had my shop, locally here, that meant having a bod from the Valuation Office out with his tape measure as it was then, doing the calculations and then producing the figures.

Which were then of course reviewed ( upwards ) periodically . . . when my lease came to an end in 2010, I was paying £22,500 a year just on rent/rates for premises in small village High Street.

Ahhhhh! thanks Guys, now I understand, did not before as I've never had a shop

[Red]

For me, the opportunity to sample juices would be a massive draw. The 'add to basket' button can often be like pulling on a one armed bandits lever.
Why not even stick a bar n' some stools in the window, perhaps even flog a few coffees (red tape permitting) and let your customers do the window advertising for you. The sight of people sitting inside drinking coffee and blowing smoke around is gonna get the attention of every curious passer by, smoker or not.

Actually.. Sod the stools! I want a big comfy sofa, some decent mood lighting and music too.

I'd be back at every opportunity!

[dave]

Love that idea Red - anyone fancy setting one up, say halfway between Stratford and Leicester!

[Deleted]

+1 Red I like that idea , but then you have another problem with health and hygiene , another can of worms .....

[Perpetua]

Sounds like vaping heaven to me Red!

[Deleted]

A large Espresso and vape testing eh Perp sounds good to me too especially as Jason is only 5 mins from me lol .

Comon Jason get a coffee machine installed in the shop

Edit: I mean a proper one not cheapo coffee

[Cheshire Vapes]

See that sounds like the kind of thing i'd want to set up maybe you order a coffee and a cartomiser filled with a juice you want to try hehe

[Jemima]

I'm only stoppign by if theres coke .... can't stand coffee lol

[Gordy]

Nov 25, 2011 3:21:27 GMT Jemima said:

I'm only stoppign by if theres coke .... can't stand coffee lol

good thinking... seeing the face you pull through the window after trying coffee would scare any punters away quick smart LOL

[Roger]

Nov 24, 2011 18:04:40 GMT Red said:

For me, the opportunity to sample juices would be a massive draw. The 'add to basket' button can often be like pulling on a one armed bandits lever.
Why not even stick a bar n' some stools in the window, perhaps even flog a few coffees (red tape permitting) and let your customers do the window advertising for you. The sight of people sitting inside drinking coffee and blowing smoke around is gonna get the attention of every curious passer by, smoker or not.

Actually.. Sod the stools! I want a big comfy sofa, some decent mood lighting and music too.

I'd be back at every opportunity!

+1 Cracking idea. Be great to be able to try stuff.

[Khromm]

Nov 24, 2011 18:04:40 GMT Red said:

For me, the opportunity to sample juices would be a massive draw. The 'add to basket' button can often be like pulling on a one armed bandits lever.
Why not even stick a bar n' some stools in the window, perhaps even flog a few coffees (red tape permitting) and let your customers do the window advertising for you. The sight of people sitting inside drinking coffee and blowing smoke around is gonna get the attention of every curious passer by, smoker or not.

Actually.. Sod the stools! I want a big comfy sofa, some decent mood lighting and music too.

I'd be back at every opportunity!

Been giving some serious thought to doing this down here in Bracknell; be a massive step for me to take though, kind've a leap into the unknown...

Perhaps in a couple of years...

[VE Jason]

Well you will be able to try all the flavours once the shop opens and coffee will be free

Except for Storm because he is in the building trade so will carry a flask at all times