Advice for running a phsyical store

Moonchild

Moonchild

Registered Guest
Hi guys!

I have now for over a year had an actual physical store instead of only selling online. I love it so much but it does come with knowing how to make the right choices that brings in customers. I am not the strongest in marketing, I barely update my webshop or my instagram. Simply because I don’t have the mental energy. I do think, though, it’s because I don’t really know how to do it well.
I don’t have room to have my photo studio so I can manipulate the lighting so the pictures come out good. So it’s sort of unmotivating, knowing I can’t take good pictures..
And that affects my online activity, which is truly sad cause I did sell really well online! I would love some good advice on what I could do to get back on it. I am at the store 5 hours a day so I have the time lol.

Another thing…
I feel pretty alone in making decisions in terms of what is a good marketing tactic in a store. And I have ZERO knowledge or experience besides what I have gained through doing this.
I replace items that are ca. 3-4 months old. I feel like this is necessary cause my store is not that big (I’ll add pictures)
But how often should I replace the items by the window and on mannequins?
I love when it’s a bit crowded and cluttered, but I’m also a bit “unique” in taste both fashion and interior wise. I live in Denmark so their general taste is “scandinavian”, simple, earthy colors, minimalism.. and I’m totally opposite!

My business is doing OKAY but I know it could do better. I can only just pay for bills and my own living, but if I ever want to start a family, I need it to become more stabile and with better sales.

If you have ANY advice, about ANYTHING, please do share. I need all the help I can get. And I know a lot of you are OG sellers heh. Thank you so much in advanced

Pictures with description
https://imgur.com/a/LLG0inW
 
Regarding photos for online, lighting really is important. But if you don't have lights have you tried taking photos outside? If you have somewhere you can do that. An overcast day with light cloud cover is perfect, so you get soft diffused light.
 
Retro Ruth said:
I've never run a physical store, so can't advise on that, but just want to say I think your shop looks great. I live in a town with dozens of vintage shops, and yours doesn't look cluttered to me.
Click to expand...
Thank you! I appreciate that.

And no, I don’t really have room outside to take pictures. But I think I’m gonna try different things
 
Your shop looks lovely. Be careful how long you leave the same items on a rack in front of the window, as fade from the sun can occur during summer pretty quickly
.
As far as changing the window, I would recommend once a week as it is not a large window so is easy to change. You never know what item in your window may attract a passerby to come in.

I note you have that round table in the center, I wonder if you removed that table if it would feel more open and inviting for your clients to get to the racks. If you note that a lot of items are selling from that table then leave it. I just find it looks a bit blocking.

If you have a lot of hats or purses to offer, you might be able to fit in one or two more high shelves, as long as you know you can easily access those higher shelves, it might give you more sale space.
 
When I had my last booth in an antique mall, I had hooks installed on the walls as high as I could them to hang clothing or purses. I used a long clothing hook to get them down. I tried to do a complete outfit.

Your shop is lovely and inviting. It looks well organized also.

I too would remove any clothing near a window, due to fade issues. Especially the clothing hanging over the windows.

I changed my displays monthly and did them with a theme. IE: what the trends were, the seasons or by color.

Also, if you use a free background remover program, such as PhotoRoom or similar , you don't have to worry what is in the background of your photos.
I don't have a photo studio in my home and these programs work very well.

Good luck and enjoy your shop.

I had one a physical one run by myself for 12 years and I loved it. Yes, it was hard work and limited my personal time, but I enjoyed.
I still miss having an actual place to show my pieces to shoppers.
 
We run a shop in Rochester NY and I think your shop is lovely. Lots of good suggestions already in this thread! And it looks like a great space!

I'd add that social media is very important and you should make that a priority. Partner locally with other businesses whose customer base may compliment yours. If you have universities nearby, promote to the college students. If the schools have photography programs, offer rental options for students to use on models and barter with photos you can use on your social media.

I'd also let a little more light in from the windows than cover them with clothing and reduce the number of random tables. Finally, having all jewelry focused in one space rather than sprinkled randomly throughout the shop.
 
I like Justine's suggestion about involving local people/companies

I did a mini photo shoot in the antique mall and you can pay the vintage enthusiasts in trade of goods, or a gift certificate. Also, when I had my store I had mini fashion events, where I had local high school or college vintage lovers do a mini fashion show by walking around the town.
They actually did it for free because they loved wearing the clothing. But, a trade would work.
It drove a lot of traffic to my shop.

Here are 2of the photo shoots photos. I promoted heavily on social media, as did the owner of the antique mall.

photo shoot 2_1571000643337.jpg photo shoot 1 anothertimevintageapparel.jpg
 
When you own a shop, it's really important to be a part of the community. We follow all our local businesses on social media, pop in and support other small shops, share their events and milestones on our social media. We've ordered printed postcards for local discounts, student discounts and dropped them at businesses and community spots nearby. Think coffee shops, libraries, high schools and colleges. We also buy ads in local community theater and school theater programs!
 
poppysvintageclothing said:
Your shop looks lovely. Be careful how long you leave the same items on a rack in front of the window, as fade from the sun can occur during summer pretty quickly
.
As far as changing the window, I would recommend once a week as it is not a large window so is easy to change. You never know what item in your window may attract a passerby to come in.

I note you have that round table in the center, I wonder if you removed that table if it would feel more open and inviting for your clients to get to the racks. If you note that a lot of items are selling from that table then leave it. I just find it looks a bit blocking.

If you have a lot of hats or purses to offer, you might be able to fit in one or two more high shelves, as long as you know you can easily access those higher shelves, it might give you more sale space.
Click to expand...


Thank you very much! The pictures are a bit outdated, the table in the center is no longer there, there’s a clothing rach instead ◡̈
Yes! I’m thinking of getting more shelves up for exactly that. Hats, shoes and purses as I have A TON atm!
Thank you for your amazing advice
 
anothertimevintageapparel said:
When I had my last booth in an antique mall, I had hooks installed on the walls as high as I could them to hang clothing or purses. I used a long clothing hook to get them down. I tried to do a complete outfit.

Your shop is lovely and inviting. It looks well organized also.

I too would remove any clothing near a window, due to fade issues. Especially the clothing hanging over the windows.

I changed my displays monthly and did them with a theme. IE: what the trends were, the seasons or by color.

Also, if you use a free background remover program, such as PhotoRoom or similar , you don't have to worry what is in the background of your photos.
I don't have a photo studio in my home and these programs work very well.

Good luck and enjoy your shop.

I had one a physical one run by myself for 12 years and I loved it. Yes, it was hard work and limited my personal time, but I enjoyed.
I still miss having an actual place to show my pieces to shoppers.
Click to expand...


I have plans to install hooks and shelves, the walls are a bit bare atm but I have plans for it <3

I’m not sure if I should worry too much about sundamage on the clothing, because 1. I change them frequently (now once a week because of advice) and 2. My shop is facing north, so I never get direct sunlight in ◡̈ so it’s a plus!!

Yes, I tried the app and I lOVE it! Thank you so much.
I love my shop too and I love the work it requires. I’m just very scared I won’t be able to keep the shop while maybe starting a family one day. But time will tell <3
 
theopshoproc said:
We run a shop in Rochester NY and I think your shop is lovely. Lots of good suggestions already in this thread! And it looks like a great space!

I'd add that social media is very important and you should make that a priority. Partner locally with other businesses whose customer base may compliment yours. If you have universities nearby, promote to the college students. If the schools have photography programs, offer rental options for students to use on models and barter with photos you can use on your social media.

I'd also let a little more light in from the windows than cover them with clothing and reduce the number of random tables. Finally, having all jewelry focused in one space rather than sprinkled randomly throughout the shop.
Click to expand...

Amazing ideas, I’ll definitely look into it! :O
And thank you for the suggestions! <3
 
theopshoproc said:
When you own a shop, it's really important to be a part of the community. We follow all our local businesses on social media, pop in and support other small shops, share their events and milestones on our social media. We've ordered printed postcards for local discounts, student discounts and dropped them at businesses and community spots nearby. Think coffee shops, libraries, high schools and colleges. We also buy ads in local community theater and school theater programs!
Click to expand...

Amazing, I’ll need to look into this and try it!
 
theopshoproc said:
Finally, having all jewelry focused in one space rather than sprinkled randomly throughout the shop.
Click to expand...

there's a lot of great advice here for you, Moonchild! and I agree, having your jewelry in one area, typically near your sales desk is a good idea...first of all, it can be a great way for a customer to add on to their purchase bc they can browse your jewelry while you're tallying their purchase, but maybe even more importantly is that (unfortunately) jewelry being as small as it is, tends to walk right out of a shop...it's so easy for someone to shoplift smalls.

also, i notice you have a round rack, with a pole in the middle. There are round rack toppers that can fit on to that pole which also increases your display space.

its such a cute space! i LOVE all the windows, but as others have said, you just need to keep moving your inventory so it doesn't fade from exposure.
 
The Vintage Merchant said:
there's a lot of great advice here for you, Moonchild! and I agree, having your jewelry in one area, typically near your sales desk is a good idea...first of all, it can be a great way for a customer to add on to their purchase bc they can browse your jewelry while you're tallying their purchase, but maybe even more importantly is that (unfortunately) jewelry being as small as it is, tends to walk right out of a shop...it's so easy for someone to shoplift smalls.

also, i notice you have a round rack, with a pole in the middle. There are round rack toppers that can fit on to that pole which also increases your display space.

its such a cute space! i LOVE all the windows, but as others have said, you just need to keep moving your inventory so it doesn't fade from exposure.
Click to expand...


Yes, thank you so much for your addition. I really got a bunch of great advice from all of you and I highly appreciate being able to come to a safe space like this, and ask these questions!
 
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