Spring is here
And that can only mean one thing: Clean, right?

I'm sure you do some spring cleaning around the house. Or, at least you think about it. This is the perfect opportunity to go through your stockroom and see what's been building up back there. You may have items stored back there that didn't sell 6 years ago. Create a store on Ebay and see what you can get for them. Anything is better than taking up space for new merchandise. Plus, having a store on Ebay is yet another low-cost way to get your name out there and traffic to your website. Traffic to your website means traffic to your store.

This is also the perfect time to rearrange your store. Breathe new life into it. Even though your items are changing and new lines are coming in, it may not seem that way to your regular customers. We all have our patterns and routines. Your regular customers come in looking for what they want and go to where they know those items are, likely missing out completely on some great stuff you know they would just love. Grocery stores are infamous for this. Every so often they swap aisles. You then have to actually look around for what you want. They don't usually move the milk from the back, though. Think of all the stuff you "remember" you need to grab on your way to the back to pick up a gallon.

Finally, take the time to really look around your store. Pretend you are walking in for the first time. When you see things everyday you tend to overlook the little things. Look at your floors and check for stains or wearing. Your walls might need a new updated color, or at least some touch-ups. Windows, baseboards, all mouldings, countertops, displays... everything. Check for loose screws, scratches, dents, uneven surfaces, rust stains on plumbing fixtures, leaks, creaks and more. Most of these things are quick-fixes, but will go a long way in the visual presentation of your shop.