Have you decided that you are going to move your retail store to a new location? There are many different reasons why you may have determined that this is the right move for your business. Perhaps a new shopping mall has opened, and you want to be in more of a prime location? Maybe the area that your clothing store is currently based in is experiencing an economic decline. Or are you looking to take advantage of cheaper rental fees? No matter what applies, read on to discover some tips that will help you to plan and execute your retail business move effectively.
Make a plan
There is only one place to begin, and this is by making a thorough plan for the move. You need a document that contains all of the information pertaining to your relocation. This includes everything from your moving date to all of the supplies you need to purchase. You should also ensure there is a detailed breakdown of the financial side of things, as the last thing you want to do is run out of money halfway through the move.
Invest in hoarding systems
Until a new business has taken over your current premises, you should use plastic hoarding systems to inform your customers and anyone passing by that you have moved to new premises. This will ensure the word is spread about your move while also allowing you to create excitement about your new, shiny clothing store.
Look for ways to eradicate downtime
One of the biggest concerns for any type of business when moving to a new location is downtime. After all, every day your business spends closed is a day you miss out on customers and opportunities. This is why it is important to try and schedule your retail business move so that you will lose the least amount of sales. Move during a typically quiet period for your business, and make sure the removal process is handled as efficiently as possible.
Organize everything before you move
You will likely need several new materials and marketing pieces for your move. From clothing tag printing to ensuring that you inform all of the relevant suppliers about your move, there are several steps that you need to take. This is why you must take the time and effort to jot everything down and get everything in order. This will ensure that your big move goes as smoothly as possible. After all, nothing is worse than moving into a new clothing store only to find that one of your suppliers is still trying to deliver to your previous address because you forgot to update them on your plans.
Manage people as well as resources
When moving to a new location, you do not only need to manage all of the boxes you are packing up and taking with you. It would be best if you managed people as well. The move could represent upheaval for your employees, while some may even worry that big changes mean their jobs are at risk. Communicate clearly and concisely with all staff members throughout to eliminate unnecessary stresses and worries.
Learn from the mistakes made in your previous store
Last, you should consider this a great learning experience for you and your business. What was it about your previous premises that did not quite work out? Have you simply outgrown the location? Or, maybe you have been trying to reach a new market? Even if there were no mistakes, we are sure that there were several things that caused frustration. It is important to learn about these to put the right steps in place to give you a brighter future in the same location. After all, if you really want to grow and take your business to the next level, you need to make sure you are taking proactive steps forward rather than doing the same things twice.
Hopefully, you now feel more prepared for your retail business relocation. If you follow the advice provided above, you can ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible. This can be a stressful time for any business owner, but it will be worth it when you are set up in your new clothing store location. Good luck!
