Specialty Shop Retailing: How to Run Your Own Store Revised

Rating:
Summary: Promises delivered
Review: This book did what the author promised. It gave us the basics to open a small specialty shop, with no previous experience. She gave excellent advice from marketing ideas to inventory procedures to bookkeeping methods. I still refer to it as we progress in our business.

Rating:
Summary: Specialty Shop Retail
Review: Took notes throughout the book! Even though I've owned the business for three years I gleaned lots of invaluable information from the experience of Orange and her husband. Would recommend to anyone in retail--new to it or an "old hat."

Rating:
Summary: Specialty Shop Retail
Review: Took notes throughout the book! Even though I've owned the business for three years I gleaned lots of invaluable information from the experience of Orange and her husband. Would recommend to anyone in retail--new to it or an "old hat."

Rating:
Summary: Like having a friend in the business
Review: We used this book to open our Christian book store over a year ago. It was a step-by-step guide to every detail we needed. I refer to it often to refresh my memory on issues we face as we go along. Written in an interesting and easy to read style. Like friendly advice. Great for the beginner but also helpful to enhance the experienced.

Rating:
Summary: Provides an illuminating look into a mysterious business.
Review: You have to be in retail before you can appreciate how mysterious and unpredictable it is. Schroeder overviews the basics of getting started, the basics of retail finance, designing your store, buying and merchandising, staffing, customer service, and advertising and promotion. Each of these chapters provides just an overview, although I found her chapter on staffing to be particularly helpful. The book also provides a very good literature review. There are numerous books in the bibliography that will make interesting reading. My only regret is that Schroeder didn't provide more of her own experiences. She has a fascinating story to tell. How a fresh college graduate can purchase a failing retail chain and turn in around almost immediately is beyond my abilities. You are left wanting to know more of her story over her 20 years of experience. How did she really build a small store to $1.5 million in annual sales? Its fun to read a book written not by a professional author, but by a seasoned retailer who is willing to help others. She has made a tremendous contribution. Dr. Ken Bailey co-owner, Wicker & Brass Etc.

Rating:
Summary: Provides an illuminating look into a mysterious business.
Review: You have to be in retail before you can appreciate how mysterious and unpredictable it is.Schroeder overviews the basics of getting started, the basics of retail finance, designing your store, buying and merchandising, staffing, customer service, and advertising and promotion. Each of these chapters provides just an overview, although I found her chapter on staffing to be particularly helpful. The book also provides a very good literature review. There are numerous books in the bibliography that will make interesting reading. My only regret is that Schroeder didn't provide more of her own experiences. She has a fascinating story to tell. How a fresh college graduate can purchase a failing retail chain and turn in around almost immediately is beyond my abilities. You are left wanting to know more of her story over her 20 years of experience. How did she really build a small store to $1.5 million in annual sales? Its fun to read a book written not by a professional author, but by a seasoned retailer who is willing to help others. She has made a tremendous contribution. Dr. Ken Bailey co-owner, Wicker & Brass Etc.