What To Sell In My New Shop ?

[bangkokcitylimits]

Just renting a little shophouse in an attractive town outside Chiang Mai, need some suggestions on what to offer to the people. My gf will gonna run the business. There's a lot in this village really, several western restaurants, all kind of shops, banks etc. Popular town by foreigners, the shophouse is really small, with 8 people it's full, but the location is great.

As more people have more ideas I'm really curious what others think, not wanna sell what I like (that won't sell for sure) but what the people like, 79b girlie clothes, 10b meals, secondhand phones, sweet dessert etc. etc. but prefer something unusual. Guess handreading and tarot-stuff would be a good one, but I don't have that skills, lol

Any ideas ? Just curious, and you never know...

Edited September 25, 2010 by bangkokcitylimits

[bkkbrad]

Left handed chopsticks.

[konjianghai]

Small coffee shop with internet service or even international call booth or something. That will do...

[konjianghai]

Nail paint art for girls??

Fashion accessories aside can also sell...handbags, shoes, jewelry ....ect...

[bangkokcitylimits]

Left handed chopsticks.

Seriously, so many people here with two left hands* !

*In Dutch, "having two left hands" means that one is clumsy or is a very poor handyman

But what to think of this springchops ? Actually most Thais are spoon eaters.

[bangkokcitylimits]

Nail paint art for girls??

Fashion accessories aside can also sell...handbags, shoes, jewelry ....ect...

Nail art, I was thinking of that yes. My gf might love to do such girlie job (and perhaps I can learn it too !)

[konjianghai]

Nail paint art for girls??

Fashion accessories aside can also sell...handbags, shoes, jewelry ....ect...

Nail art, I was thinking of that yes. My gf might love to do such girlie job (and perhaps I can learn it too !)

Might be interesting as well if you can sell perfumes...now i know the real foreign brand name perfume are quite expensive but if you can sell some alternative choice to this.

Make it a perfume shop too...i'll shop in your store some day

Edited September 25, 2010 by konjianghai

[thequick7]

is ur business going to be targeted at foreigners or thai's? if its foreigners, there are never enough bakeries that sell decent bread etc... if for thai's, don't think u will sell small quantities of anything and make a huge profit. it will need to be sold at a realistic price and in high volume.

Edited September 25, 2010 by thequick7

[VictorMeldrewBKK]

Small coffee shop with internet service or even international call booth or something. That will do...

too original

[VictorMeldrewBKK]

Small coffee shop with internet service or even international call booth or something. That will do...

too original

Left handed chopsticks is the best advise LOL

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

a hair cut and shave shop with girls in skimpy bikini's. Serve good draft beer and western foods. UFC mixed martial arts on the TV.

Under the table long term visa's

sell various supplements like

viagra

human growth hormone

MSM, Glucosamine, Co enzyme Q10

Omega 3

Vitamin C

Ginseng

Reishi tea

Gan Cha

rare scottish whisky

Alaskan King crab legs

etc etc

[Gigabyte]

Unless you're next to a convenience store, maybe you could have a small corner of long shelf life stuff that people won't mind the extra 2-3 baht to save them the walk to the cheaper place because they need it now. Items such as sanitaries, stationnaries, instant noodles, batteries, etc. Don't need to keep a lot of each, but keep a small amount of a large variety. Keep that place tidy and dust it every day to make it look like stuff gets replaced constantly, and people will notice and remember your shop when they urgently a couple of AAA batteries for their remote just before a game.

And while the customers buying batteries are there, they will see the other stuff you have to offer, and your smilling and friendly g/f will guarantee that they will come back.

Just my 2 baht...

GB

[VictorMeldrewBKK]

a hair cut and shave shop with girls in skimpy bikini's. Serve good draft beer and western foods. UFC mixed martial arts on the TV.

Under the table long term visa's

sell various supplements like

viagra

human growth hormone

MSM, Glucosamine, Co enzyme Q10

Omega 3

Vitamin C

Ginseng

Reishi tea

Gan Cha

rare scottish whisky

Alaskan King crab legs

etc etc

Brilliant. How about Alaskan King crab brought up solely on a human growth hormone blended with Gan Cha diet and preserved in rare scottish whiskey? Edited September 25, 2010 by VictorMeldrewBKK

[FarmerJoe]

How about hot wings with different sauces or better yet. Isan food. I'll be there at least 4 times a week. Tom Sap. Nam Tok Moo, Moo Dat Dio. Mmmmmmmm.............

[bangkokcitylimits]

a hair cut and shave shop with girls in skimpy bikini's. Serve good draft beer and western foods. UFC mixed martial arts on the TV.

Under the table long term visa's

sell various supplements like

viagra

human growth hormone

MSM, Glucosamine, Co enzyme Q10

Omega 3

Vitamin C

Ginseng

Reishi tea

Gan Cha

rare scottish whisky

Alaskan King crab legs

etc etc

Interesting collection !

ps, perhaps can I register the store on your name ?

is ur business going to be targeted at foreigners or thai's? if its foreigners, there are never enough bakeries that sell decent bread etc... if for thai's, don't think u will sell small quantities of anything and make a huge profit. it will need to be sold at a realistic price and in high volume.

Good point, but as there are more Thai then foreigners, I guess try to get the Thais in, but was thinking bakery also, bakery, nail art and hand reading.

I can't read????? and I'm drunk LOL and definitely connected by the net to best comedy tonight. "no need for beginners hints" then why the post?

I'll help you with the hand reading and tarot-stuff; your new "business" is in your girlfriends name, she will dump you and open a massage parlor. And that's the positive read!!!!

Why I know you can't read ? administrative setup, eventual risks ? Just talking product ideas. in girlfriends name ? no won't do that, some things you just keep separate. Wow you do hand reading ! PM me your references, I pay you 200b/day and you're in !

Uhh.. girlfriends never dumped me (always tend to see me as a part time dad also) and getting even more attached then I like.

So you need to find another massage parlour. Suggestion: try the 'OT' !

How do they make those amulets btw ?

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

I forgot

Lava Lamps

exotic pets like Pythons and Ostrich birds

original Hawaii Five O TV series on DVD

Rubber vagina's

Cuban cigars

[VictorMeldrewBKK]

I forgot

Lava Lamps

exotic pets like Pythons and Ostrich birds

original Hawaii Five O TV series on DVD

Rubber vagina's

Cuban cigars

Rubber vagina's? Book 'em' Dano"

[IanForbes]

Any of the cooking ideas are NOT a good suggestion. Too much initial outlay and not enough shop size. And, you WOULD need a competent, reliable cook. Not everyone is up to that task and working over a hot stove is not very pleasant.

As someone already said, you REALLY need to know who your customers are... Thais, local expats or foreign tourists. I also think it's hard to compete with all the nicknack junk you see for sale at the night markets.

What I DON'T see in Thailand is unique, artistic, but good quality jewelry and women's accessories. But, that would take some knowledge and searching for the right supplier.

The nail art is not a bad idea if it is combined with a few other unique items. Visual appeal makes a tiny shop more interesting but for that you need someone with a creative mind.

I'm not sure if they would sell in Thailand or not, but fancy hats might be a good idea. I took a Thai girl shopping for a specific hat I had in mind... one of the woven hats women wear when picking rice. Mint laughed and said the hat was for farmers, but was surprised when I turned down the brim and added a scarf. With a bit of work it could have looked like a hat that hi-society ladies wear to the races at Ascot.

The same goes with the outfit I bought her to go with the hat...

She later "sexied up" the simple bouse by tying it up in the back.

If you pick out specific items and take photographs of them being worn then it might help improve sales.

It's like looking at a whole table covered in pottery. You don't see any one item in its best display. But, if you pick out one item and put it in a proper display case it will look beautiful. It is the reason why an unframed picture doesn't look like much.

[VictorMeldrewBKK]

Well, Ian got to show off he has TWO Thai Girls, way to go Ian

[thrilled]

If I was you i'd read all the comments and study hard.If you put your heart and soul in it ya might do ok.Good luck to ya and if ya ever get it going ok,come back here and show us what you've done.

[bifftastic]

i reckon it all depends on how far away you are from shops that sell small things like batteries, hair clips and all that kind of cheap junk that people use from day to day. If you're far enough away then you can stock some and see how it goes, there's not much lay out for stock and people just love to buy cheap crap.

Mt ex father in law has built up a fairly large business in England selling accessories for the camera industry, no cameras just lens covers, bags, straps and batteries etc. He reckons all the cheap stuff is the way to go. Recession proof, plenty of repeat business.

Little straps for phones, hello fuc_king kitty anything costume jewellery, headphone adaptors, stickers, key rings, you know the kind of thing. As I said, all depends if they can get it next door or not.

The good thing about cheap crap is that it doesn't last and people don't mind cos it's cheap.

In fact, seeing as there's a penchant for Thai people to wear things with English wording on them, how about an anti-hello kitty range?

'fuc_k hello kitty' 'I hate hello kitty' 'fuc_k you AND hello kitty' etc

I'd buy it.

Biff

[Contractor]

Research and more research.

Identify your target market. Thais, Expats, Tourists?

Find your USP, keep it simple and do it very well.

With a small sales floor you need a product/service with a high mark-up as you will not sell in volume.

Good luck.

Rgds

[philliphn]

Grot nothing but grot.

[IanForbes]

Well, Ian got to show off he has TWO Thai Girls, way to go Ian

No, I've got 4, but that is not the point. I was just showing that a simple item can look a lot better if it is displayed better.

Contractor boiled it all down to the necessary information needed before start up.

I've personally set up display cases for a few stores that have improved their sales 3 fold.

[garyh]

How about size Farang clothes.

[Wallaby]

OP, don't worry about the negative naysayers. They are obviously far too successful to be bothered giving you decent advice and would rather just put you down for wanting something to actually do something with your life.

Ask your woman to do some research with her friends etc. You may be surprised what the thais want/need on a regular basis.

You don't need to go making a fortune so keep it simple. Good luck with it.

[heymo]

Make it easy for moms and inviting for kiids.

[jackr]

The last few suggestions seem quite useful. How about also bunging a few of those cheap barbecues in the doorway.

Are you off out for a beer with your mates, Ian?

Well, Ian got to show off he has TWO Thai Girls, way to go Ian

Everything you say is unfunny. Have a reread when you sober up.

[David006]

....wifey always says if you have a shop sell rice,eggs and great big prawns when you can get 'em...

makes sense... who can resist buying a kilo of big fresh prawns..even if you were shopping for a lawnmower..

...been in retail for the ex three times...learned eventually...Never again!!! too much like hard work...fixed and variable costs too high and returns low..buying yourself a job...make sure you have a lounger,a TV and cable lol.....good luck anyways...

[lovelomsak]

If the town or village be what it is. doesnot already have a lot of coffee places that is a very good business in Thailand. A good expresso machine out front to show quality and sell hot and iced coffees and teas. If possible try to get a Blue Mountain franchise. Blue mountain is the macdonalds of coffeee franchises here. Thais love iced coffee and green tea.They will drive up give their order come back in 5 minutes to pick it up.Also around 50% profit on each cup. So at 25 baht for hot and 30 baht for iced not difficult to make money.But must have good workers and pay them right a good shop like this keeps them hopping. Also give the place a modern decore look Thais like their coffee shops stylish.