With a penchant for tingi or retail items, sari-sari stores are a hit and have become a unique part of the Philippine culture. In a June 2017 Philippine Daily Inquirer article, the Philippine Association of Stores and Carinderia Owners (Pasco) President Victoria Aguinaldo said that a typical sari-sari store owner earns an average of P1,000.
While profitable, sari-sari stores are mostly found in small communities like barangays and subdivisions. They also offer a limited number of goods. If you want a more profitable business while still offering consumer goods, consider starting a grocery business.
What are grocery stores and for whom does this business exist?
Often called supermarkets, grocery stores are Filipinos’ go-to source of different consumable goods mostly used in the household. Supermarkets are well-lit, air-conditioned spaces that primarily sell food, toiletries, and even household items.
If you live in a city with little competition and have a knack for making capital-intensive business plans, your grocery store venture has a high chance of succeeding. Think that’s you? Well, apart from the paperwork and location, below are four practical things you need to have in your grocery store.
1. Security
No, you don’t need to hire a security guard, though doing so would provide you with tougher security. What you actually need, though, are CCTV cameras installed in every corner of your grocery store. No matter where your location is, you can’t be so sure about the kind of people entering your store. Crimes easily get solved in areas with CCTV presence, so consider installing this inconspicuous piece of security to protect not just your business, but your customers and employees as well.
2. Heavy Duty Racks
According to Suerte Steel Corporation, racks offer the ability to store large quantities of items in a limited space. This is precisely what you need if you’re starting a grocery business. Land property can be expensive, forcing you to make do with a little space.
This is the reason you need to be able to maximize the space inside your store as well as in your warehouse through racking systems. Additionally, durable racks ensure that your products are correctly displayed and have a low chance of being damaged trough falling.
3. In-Store Promotion
According to the Houston Chronicle, advertisement for your grocery store and its products start at shelf level. This means offering creative products and sales that will catch your customers’ attention. Start by providing a separate shelf of items on sale and place them in a spot that can’t be easily overlooked by people, playing with the undeniable fact that Filipinos love sales and freebies. Window displays highlighting monthly or seasonal sales are another kind of in-store promotion that can help drive foot traffic to your grocery store.
Like every other business, starting a grocery store isn’t a walk in the park. There are many things you need to accomplish before even being granted a license to operate. But, with the grocery store essentials and customer satisfaction in mind together with your business brain, your grocery store venture can catapult you into a supermarket star.