Starting and Building Your Retail/Wholesale Business
Saturday, May 2, 2015
9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
The Ten Keys to Success in Retailing and Wholesaling With A Comprehensive Overview of E-Commerce for Your Business
Running a successful retail or wholesale business requires a lot of detailed know-how. This workshop will address critical issues. We have lined up two exceptional speakers, each with extensive experience and expertise in managing the supply and selling process from inventory management through distribution and merchandising to marketing, sales and customer service.
In the first part of this essential workshop you will learn:
- How experience and knowledge of the industry pay off in opportunities grasped and mistakes avoided
- How to estimate the cash you’ll need to handle critical expenses, both at start-up and after launch
- How to develop an effective plan for managing your inventory and keeping your shelves stocked with the merchandise your customers count on you for
- How to plan and track your merchandise assortment , to ensure you’re serving the basic needs and wants of your core customers
- How to price your products to cover your expenses, meet the challenge of your competitors and add to your bottom line
- How to pick a location that meets such basic considerations as proximity to transportation, good customer traffic, the right community demographics and a competitive mix you can contend with
- How to negotiate a lease that is reasonable in length, includes a renewal clause, provides for a grace period and includes other stipulations that will protect your future
- How to staff up and train your people to meet your current needs and anticipate future requirements
- How to prepare yourself to manage the full-time demands of your job – to understand that the person who works hardest in your business is the boss, you
- How to dispose of merchandise that isn’t selling and turn loss leaders into real currency
Next, a comprehensive overview of how to build an online store, process credit cards online and market your online store.
If you’ve ever considered adding an e-commerce component to your Website, or if you have an e-commerce site that isn’t working, this class is for you. We’ll unveil the mysteries behind the shopping cart and provide you with the vital information that you need to create a successful e-commerce strategy.
Attendees will learn:
- Basic concepts needed to open an online store
- Setting an e-commerce budget
- Choosing Between a custom built store vs. an online service
- How credit card payment systems work
- Marketing your online store
Instructors:
Harry Dannenberg:
Executive in women’s footwear, retail and wholesale; developed and brought to market both better and popular-priced footwear. Worked with leading shoe designers manufacturing, importing and distributing merchandise from around the world. Harry is a SCORE NYC Mentor.
J. Vincenzo Gatto
Fashion Industry experience: 40 + years.
Owner, incubator1, marketing and brand building company targeting small to medium size fashion and fashion related businesses. Professor, Fashion Institute of Technology. Marketing, retailing, fashion buying and merchandising, manufacturing and creative presentations all geared to fashion and related fields. Stonehouse Clothing Co. Owner/operator 2 retail mens apparel stores. 5 years.
Maisha Walker
The Internet Strategist, Inc. Magazine
President, Message Medium
Founder and President of Message Medium, a digital marketing agency that helps new and reinvested brands to harness the power of the Internet and create a dynamic, interactive and profitable presence online. She has been creating websites and online marketing campaigns for more than 16 years. Maisha has worked on digital marketing campaigns with Mars Chocolate, Columbia University, Unilever, WJ Detusch (the owner of Yellow Tail wines), NBA player Kyle Lowry, Save the Children and more. Maisha is a featured online columnist with Inc. Magazine, and a 1994 graduate of Princeton University.
- HOW to sign up:
- Register on the SCORE Web site for this event
- WHEN:
- Saturday, May 2, 2015
9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - WHERE:
- Greater New York Chamber of Commerce
20 West 44th Street
New York, NY 10036