Cover; Copyright Page; Contents; Start Your Own Retail Business and More; Title Page; Preface; Chapter 1: Introduction to Retailing; Welcome to the Big Leagues; What about Jobs?; Basic Kinds of Retailers; Store Retailing; Brick-and-Mortar Stores; David vs. Goliath; Specialty Retailing; Nonstore Retailing; Temporary Locations; Direct Selling; Mail Order; The Internet; Vending Machines; Service Retailers; Consuming Appetite for Services; Step Up; Retailing's Image; Social Responsibility; Windows of Opportunity; What Now?; Do You Accept the Challenge?; Chapter 2: Making a Plan

Retail and You: A Match Made in Heaven?Personality; Growth or Income?; Strengths and Weaknesses; Money; Experience; Technical and Management Skills; Business Goals; Is There Enough Time or Demand?; Look at Industry Numbers; Start Thinking about Your Mission; Be a Trend-Watcher; How Will You Compete?; What's Your Plan?; Chapter 3: Decisions, Decisions; Buying a Business; Franchises; Business Opportunities; Direct Sales; Existing Independent Businesses; Identifying Opportunities; Evaluating the Business for Sale; Launching Your Own Business; Professional Advisors; Lawyers and Accountants

BankersConsultants; Chapter 4: Location; The Homebased Retailer; Commercial Locations; Researching Locations; Match the Area to Your Customers; Type of Products and Location Choice; Convenience Goods; Shopping Goods; Specialty Goods; Retail Compatibility; Merchants Associations; Landlords; Zoning and Planning; Incentive Areas and Agencies; Main Street Outreach; Check Out the Competition; Selecting a Shopping Center Location; Can You Qualify?; Center Costs; Specialty Leasing; Everything Is Negotiable; Starting from Scratch; Location in a Nutshell; Chapter 5: Legal and Finance Issues

Forming a Business EntityProtect Your Name; Domain Name Registration; What Kind of Money Will It Take?; Ready, Aim; Homebased Businesses Aren't Free; Bank Locally; Chapter 6: Operations; Store Policies; Hours; Credit Policies; Customer Service Policies; Housekeeping; Security Policies; All in a Day's Work; Chapter 7: Store and Website Design; The Store Planning Process; Exterior Personality; Overhead Sign; Show Window; Entrance; Designing Your Store Interior; It's About the Experience; Choose Your Approach; Every Foot Counts; Inventory Influences Layout; Aisles

Self-Service and Check Out TechniquesFlooring; Ceilings, Walls, and Color; Fixtures and Lighting; Nonselling Activities; Effective Presentation and Convenience; Building Your Website; The New Functions of Websites; Assessing Your Needs; What Will Your Site Do?; In Store Use of Your Website; Website Components; Imitate What Works; Choose a Website Builder or Hire a Pro; Exposure; One-Stop-Shop Solutions; We're Hiring; Big Data; Offer Video; Website Surpasses Physical Store; Chapter 8: Inventory; You Are What You Sell; Quality Merchandise; Selecting Your Portfolio; Establishing Your Inventory