Rating: 
Summary: A MUST!
Review: A detailed well written text that guides the prospective or seasoned shop owner through the business of owning and operating a business. Industry terms are thoroughly explained, other resources given and numerous examples of effective business forms are provided. Ms. Schoeder guides the reader through the book using humor and anecdotes making it hard to put down. This is a must reference for anyone contemplating starting a business.
Rating:
Summary: Inspiring
Review: After visiting Ms. Schroeder's store, Orange Tree Imports, I was inspired to open a store of my own. The 'vibe' of her store is truly inspirational. It is one of those miracles of life that she chose to write about running her store! The thoughts and suggestions in this book are invaluable to someone like me, who is interested in opening a store and was inspired by the author's own store. I can't recommend this book enough
Rating: 
Summary: "An excellent road map to success in specialty retailing."
Review: Early praise for Specialty Shop Retailing includes:"A well-written book which covers all aspects of specialty retailing." Kim Mack, V.P., Crabtree & Evelyn"The first book you should read if youwant to open a successful retail specialty shop." Bill Haefling"Insightful and humorous." Will Little, GLM, Inc."This book is a must!" Anne McGilvray, Anne McGilvray & Co"A bonanza of savvy ideas and an excellent road map to success in specialty retailing." Phyllis Sweed, Gifts and Decorative Accessorie
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous!
Review: I have received this excellent book just before Christmas and spend all Christmas evenings reading it. Extremely helpful, encouraging, wise and funny. Everyone who dreams about owning speciality shop have to read it... many times!
Rating:
Summary: Like having a friend in the business
Review: I read this book while I was writing my first business plan (ever) for a gourmet shop. When combined with a good plan outline and appropriate market research this book will be all you need to finish a plan that the bank will love! When the Small Business Admin. reviewed my work they told me to get to the bank QUICK because I had a great plan with a solid base of research and strategies. The info in this book was part of the plan's foundation.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read for the shop owner 'newbie'
Review: I read this book while I was writing my first business plan (ever) for a gourmet shop. When combined with a good plan outline and appropriate market research this book will be all you need to finish a plan that the bank will love! When the Small Business Admin. reviewed my work they told me to get to the bank QUICK because I had a great plan with a solid base of research and strategies. The info in this book was part of the plan's foundation.
Rating:
Summary: Be sure to read this before opening your shop!
Review: I was a few weeks away from opening day when I finally found the time to read this -- and am soooo grateful I did! It helped me correct a few mistakes and oversights I was about to make regarding in-store design considerations, as well as seemingly minor but important details that truly helped my shop look, feel and function distinctively. A few weeks after our opening day, we were featured in several newspapers and magazines -- in large part due to the special touches I would never have considered had I not read this book.
Rating:
Summary: A MUST!
Review: I was very happy with this purchase. Although I have one store currently, have had a store in the past, and want more in the future (hence this purchase), I didn't really expect much new information. Not only did I get some great hints, but the book was so well written that I literally grabbed it every minute I could after I received it to keep reading. I finished it in less than 2 days! Very thorough, and suitable for a new or more experienced merchant. Impressed at author's willingness to share her goof-ups as well as her successes. Great value for the price (not one of these cheap, vague pamphlets you see all over the place). Definitely a keeper!
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down!
Review: I was very happy with this purchase. Although I have one store currently, have had a store in the past, and want more in the future (hence this purchase), I didn't really expect much new information. Not only did I get some great hints, but the book was so well written that I literally grabbed it every minute I could after I received it to keep reading. I finished it in less than 2 days! Very thorough, and suitable for a new or more experienced merchant. Impressed at author's willingness to share her goof-ups as well as her successes. Great value for the price (not one of these cheap, vague pamphlets you see all over the place). Definitely a keeper!
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty good book but Retail Business Kit for Dummies better
Review: Let me start by introducing myself and explaining an apparent potential conflict of interest...I'm a CPA in Redmond, WA and am always on the lookup for resources that I can suggest to clients. I have quite a few independent retail clients and so was interested in this book. I also happen to be the author of QuickBooks for Dummies and Quicken for Dummies. Okay, all that said, I think Carol Schroeder's book is a pretty good one. The book has lots of good information for the independent retailer or the prospective independent retailer. (As you can see, I gave it four stars!) But I really think that the Retail Business Kit for Dummies is a better book. There's more information in the Dummies book and it's an easier read. One final comment: Before you say to yourself, "Hey, he's just recommending another Dummies book, that's bogus!" let me point out that both the Dummies series of books and "Specialty Shop Retailing" are published by the same company, John Wiley & Sons. Maybe the thought I'll leave you with is this: If you're interested in learning more about starting and running a successful retail store, read Retail Business Kit for Dummies first... then, if you want more information and have time for another book, read Specialty Shop Retailing. You will get good information in the Shroeder book that isn't in the Dummies book. Steve
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