Running a Successful and Profitable Nature Store
Humble Beginnings
We continue to grow
Finally, Our Own Space
Our Current Space
Our Children’s Section
Who are your customers? First Time Visitors Returning Visitors What Type of Visitors Adults: Parents, Grandparents Children: With family, field trip Who Are They? Birding Hunting or Fishing What are their interests?
What do you want them to learn about your refuge?
Do people visit your refuge to see a particular bird or other animal?
Does your Friends Group have a logo? Does the refuge have a logo?
What can you put your logo on?
Who Determines What to Carry? Store Manager Bookstore Committee Refuge Staff
How to Determine What to Carry Size of Selling Space Number of Visitors Minimum number to purchase Storage Space Available Seasonal visitors or Year round Remoteness of Refuge
Size of Selling Space Think Beyond Books: Folding Guides, Bookmarks, Post Cards and Note Cards Is there room for a spinner rack? These can hold lots with a small footprint Invest in adaptable fixtures A wall of slatwall can be adapted many ways
Number of Visitors Visiting Public School Groups Birding Groups People looking for the restroom
Minimum Number to Purchase Not all items require a large minimun Order books from distributors Order pre-designed t-shirts with namedrop Group purchases with other refuge stores
Storage Space Available Do you have storage space within the store? Does the refuge have a secure empty room or closet that you can use? Can you use a storage shed on the refuge? The closer the storage to the actual store the better
Seasonal Visitors or Year Round Does your visitation vary from month to month? Do you have special events?
Remoteness of the Refuge Are You in the middle of nowhere or close to other businesses? Do visitors hike or bike trails? Will they need water to keep going? Will they need sunscreen or mosquito repellant?
How to Bring Customers to Your Store Refuge Events Friends Group Newsletter Guest Speakers Author Events Website Notice
Refuge Events
Friends Group Newsletter
Sometimes natural events block visitors
So I started a Lecture Series
Author Events
Website
Online Store
Newsletter
Ways to Find New Merchandise Trade Shows Browse Publisher & Distributor websites Visit Other Nature Stores & Websites Build relationships with sales reps
Trade Shows Association of Partners for Public Lands Southeast Independent Booksellers Association
Use exhibitor lists Museum Store AssociationAPPL Trade Show
Publisher & Distributor Websites Houghton Mifflin HarcourtSunburst Books
Visit Other Nature Store & Websites
Build relationships with Sales Reps They will help in your search for new merchandise Publisher Reps Commission Reps Distributor Reps Gift Reps T-Shirt Reps
The Possibilities are Endless
Art Krival – Receiving his award for 5500 hours The hero of our story April – April