Hairdressers: A women’s hair salon that washes, cuts and dyes hair. It would be hard to set up a hair salon as there are already a lot of them about. It would be hard to compete against them and attract customers from them. The premises would have to be situated somewhere there is little competition. Start up costs includes premises, office fittings such as chairs, stock such as shampoo etc.
I have decided that my best option would to open a specialist model shop as there is no competition in the area, and there is also a demand for one in the area.
My chosen Business
I have decided that my business is going to be a specialist model shop concentrating mainly upon planes. I will now give the details of what my business intends to produce and provide.
The shop will sell kits, ARTF’s planes, radio gear such as transmitters and receivers, especially Futaba, Engines ranging from O.S to S.C, wood’s and glues, building equipment such as knives and hinge cutters, covering materials, fuel and flight accessories such as pumps and starters. We will offer advice to customers who can not do something. We will also think about the possibility of starting up an online shop.
The shop will sell its goods to customers through the shop but I am thinking about the possibility of an online shop as well which will have to use a delivery company such as U.P.S to ship orders to customers who could be all over the country.
I will provide 30 day return policy to ensure quality to my customers, if they are not satisfied the may return the goods. To ensure high quality balsa and other wood I will make sure the wood is all graded so customers will get the best quality wood.
There is a premise available on the Goadstone road which would be suitable as it is in a great location as there is no competition and the nearest model shop is about 45 minutes away. It is big enough to display models and other accessories and there is also a store room where stock can be kept. Rent in the area is fairly expensive how ever the site is so appropriately placed it would be worth the expense. To advertise the company I would put advert in local papers and in specialised model magazines such as RCM&E and Model Flyer. This would an effective method of marketing as we will be advertising to potential customers. I have investigated property prices in this area and the average price appears to be about £17,000 per annum.
My customers will be regular modellers and beginners who want to get into flying and will not know much and will need help and advice on what to buy. Most customers will be regular customers and will buy fuel regularly and planes every now and again. I hope to build a good relationship with my customers so they return to the shop.
I need to research the following areas to find out about what customers want and where the most convenient site would be and what open hours will be the most appropriate. I hope to also find out about what type of customers I will have, and what there needs are. For example, some one is only just starting flying will want a easy to fly plane whereas an advanced modeller may want a scale plane or an aerobatic pattern ship which is extremely difficult to fly. This will mean that I will be able to stock the right stock for my customers and always have want they want. From researching I hope to also find out what start up costs I will have and how much rent will cost and what other expenses I will have.
Questionnaire
I am currently producing a business plan for a model shop which it to be situated in the Whyteleafe/ Caterham area. In order for customers to benefit form the shop as much as possible I am asking you to please take a moment of your time and fill out the following questions.
Please circle or fill out answer where appropriate
- Have you every brought or flown a radio controlled model?
Bought Flown Neither
- Do you fly/ race regularly or if you answered neither above are you interested in starting?
Fly/ race regularly Have flown/ raced before
Interested in starting Not interested
- If a model shop opened in your area would you visit the shop and browse even if you were not intending on buying?
Yes No
This section is for modellers to complete only thank you.
- How long does it take you to get to your existing model shop?
.
- How often do you visit you model shop?
.
- What do you normally purchase when you visit the shop?
.
.
- On average how much do you spend a month at your model shop?
£1-10 £11-20 £21-30 £31-40 £41-50 £51-60 £61-70 £71-80 £81-90 £91-100
£101-120 £121-140 £141 & over
- If a new model shop opened in you area would you use it?
Yes No Other .
This section is for non-modellers who are interested in getting in to flying planes or racing cars.
- If a model shop opened in your area would you visit the shop and have a chat with a member of staff about getting into the hobby?
.
.
- How much would you be willing to spend to get into the hobby?
Between £100-130 £131-150 £151-170 £171-200
£201-230 £231-260 £261-290 £291-350 £350 & more
-
Sex? Male Female
-
Age? 10-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-45
46-50 51-60 61-70 71-80 81-90
Thank you for your time
Secondary Research
=Information about the cr3 area.
= information on existing model shop how they started up.
