9 Simple Tips in Starting Sari-Sari Store

Hello, I just want to share a bit of my life. I grew up in a family that the primary source of living is variety store or Sari-Sari Store that's why in my early age I had experience on how to manage on our little store. Now I have my own sari-sari store, I had applied what I have learned from my experience.

These are my Simple Tips in Starting Your Own Sari-Sari Store.

• Location 

A good place to start is where there are no other store to compete. Basically this simple principle is applicable to all types of business and not only to sari-sari store. If you are planning to rent a place, make sure that it was in the vicinity or a commercial space. Much better if a small chance of business competition on that place. Just think of it, what will happen if the place where you are planning to open your sari-sari store has many sari-sari store also?  If you don't want to rent and have some extra space in front of your house then why don't make it a commercial space. Like what we do, our house was just in the vicinity and only a few step on the highway. We are lucky enough to have a small space that we can start a small business. On that part we have saved a lot for we don't need to rent.

• Capital

It doesn't mean that If you want to start your sari-sari store, you need a big amount of capital. I also start my humble store with only Php5,000 starting capital. Just be smart on managing your capital. It's also good to start with a small capital and study first your store performance. It's advisable the capital you are going to use was an extra money or save for future business. 

• Wholesale Canvass

Item price is so important to customer that's why you have to be smart also in finding the best wholesaler that offer the lowest price per item. Try to make a canvass first of available wholesaler in your place. You can check some famous groceries like Puregold and BudgetLane. Remember that aside from the saying "Customer is always Right', customer will go back to your store if  'The Price is Right'. :)

• Grocery List

Before you buy your groceries, be sure to have your grocery list just like you are buying your personal grocery at home. Be a smart buyer and ask your self, as an individual what are your primary and daily needs that your customer will surely buy. Remember not to buy items that takes a long time to dispose.  Make sure you have check the quality and the expiration dates of every items you are going to sell. Try to buy half dozen of every item so you can buy more grocery. It's will help you specially if your budget was thight. The more items to choose from, the more chances a customer will go to your store.

• Organize and Item Presentation

Organizing your items will help your customer see instantly what they are looking for. It also help you to get the items because you know where it was located. Organized item also attract customer. Even you only have less item to display, it will look many if it was arranged accordingly. One example is displaying 3in1 coffee mix 2 ties per items. In this way you can make your store full even it's only few products. You may consider also the cleanliness and proper lightning specially at night. 

• Know your Customer Needs

As you start your business, you will know what your customer needs that was not yet on your items. You can make a note or just memorized what they are looking for so in you next shopping, it will be on your list. Because sari-sari store is a retail, selling a cooking oil for in retail will help your customer know that your items are affordable. Also if they always find all that they need definitely made them to go back.

• Avoid Lending Money 

I know many will disagree with me on this part. It's up to you If you will considered mine. In my own experience on my store, I never been to lending. Almost every week or month, there is someone who drop by to our store to ask If we would like to avail money lending. For me, you need to know when you need it or not. Sometimes, specially if you are on tight budget, lending was so tempting. Aiming an additional capital for business is good but it can be a big problem to you in the future if you did not manage to pay. I have seen many people failed to continue their business because of  failure to paid their dues. But on the other side, If you know your ability and the sales of your store well it's a good idea.

• Avoid Credit

Credit is one the problem of sari-sari store. If you are the owner I know It's hard to refuse people specially when the one who is owe you is your friend. Try to explain them that you are just starting your business and the profit of retailing was just small. Another way to avoid credit is making a little sign with "No Credit" or "No Credit Today''. Actually the second sign was the one we used. It was a sign printed courtesy of a cigarette brand. At least, every time a customer go to our store was informed that we are not offering a credit.

• Savings from Profit

Always remember to save even a small amount on your daily profit. When I first start my own sari-sari store, I try to keep Php10.00 everyday. It's like doing your personal saving. The money I have saved was use for additional goods on my store. This help also my store to grow until I try to save Php100.00 everyday. When making a saving, keep it as you didn't know you are saving. This way, you will not able to use that saving when ever there are 3 day sale on SM or other expenditure. lol

Everything starts from small, from nothing to something. All of my tips above will not exactly works well with you. Without your proper managing and hard work your business will not survive.I'm not a pro or a guru, I just want to share my thoughts that might be a help for you just in case you are planning to start your small business specially sari-sari store. 

Godbless!