Do you dream of creating an organic shop, but you lack information on how to get there? The good news is that in this article you will find everything you need to know on the subject, including instructions on how to draw up a business plan for an organic store. If you are looking for an organic store in the US, you can use many online websites like
https://www.stores-locator.com for example, it will give you useful addresses.
Conducting market research for an organic shop
Before launching yourself headlong into your project, it is essential to carry out a market study for an organic store, in order to better understand the potential of your future activity, but also to define your commercial strategy.
To do this, you will need to carry out detailed research on the trends in the sector, study in depth the commercial positioning of your competitors, and analyse the behaviour of your future customers.
Some aspects of the regulation of organic shops
How to open an organic shop in terms of regulations? No diploma is required to open an organic shop, but the professional is obliged to be registered in the Trade and Companies Register.
It is also compulsory to respect the hygiene standards of the premises, but also the various regulations concerning fresh produce, dietary foods and food supplements.
We can also note the existence of European regulation 834/2007 specifying various rules concerning organic products. A multitude of approved certification bodies is in charge of controlling distributors and importers of organic products.
Opening an organic shop with or without a franchise?
Once you have carried out your market study of organic shops, you then need to think about the type of organic shop you want to set up.
You have several options: create an organic general food store, or open an organic store specialising in a particular type of product, such as cosmetics, health or home.
However, the most important choice is to join a network, or on the contrary, to choose to open an organic store without a franchise.
Franchised organic store
Creating an organic franchised store allows you to benefit from the immediate notoriety of a large network and to be accompanied, which limits the risk taking.
Franchised organic store networks are currently enjoying a great dynamic, with an average growth in sales of around 15%, as well as many new store openings and an overall increase in the number of visitors.
You have probably already heard of Naturalia, Biocoop, La Vie Claire or Bio C'Bon. Consumers are seduced by the personalised advice given, and the depth of the product range offered.
Independent organic store
On the other hand, independent organic stores are losing ground overall, and have seen their market share fall sharply in recent years, due to the boom in organic franchises, but also in the organic sections of supermarkets.
However, setting up an organic store without a franchise gives you more freedom in the choice of products you sell, more leeway in the management of your business, and often a lower initial investment.
Finding premises for your organic store
Once you've decided on the type of organic shop you're going to open, it's time to think about its location. This choice is crucial, and will directly influence the success of your project.
A busy location will give you high visibility, but will inflate your rent expenses. On the other hand, a more backward street will require more effort to make you known, but will allow you to save on your rent.
The human and material needs necessary to open an organic shop
Once you have chosen your concept, found your premises, and chosen the legal structure, you will need to look at the initial investments required to set up an organic shop.
First of all, you will need to acquire the necessary equipment to set up your point of sale: cash register, wall shelves, refrigerated display cabinets, cold room, computer equipment, and possibly a utility vehicle for supplies.
Secondly, you will need to take out insurance and hire an accountant for the financial management of your store. In order to best evaluate the amounts of these expenses, it is ideal to ask for quotes from different potential suppliers.
The marketing plan of an organic store
The next step is to set up a marketing plan, the objective of which will be to obtain new customers, but also to retain them.
Street marketing operations can be effective to make yourself known at the opening, as can the organization of promotional operations on social networks.
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