What Do You Need to Start a Bike Shop
You love riding; you have an obsession with strapping on a helmet and riding on two wheels down roads, trails, or just about anywhere those rims will go. Pursuing that love affair and making a living off of it seems like the perfect combination. Thanks to social media, online advertising and the web in general, now might be the perfect time to start your own business. Share what you adore with others who are like minded. Starting a bike shop might be the best decision you ever made. With cycling growing into a huge trend, there's never been a greater time to take the leap into bike sales.First off, you'll need a well-stocked and varied inventory. For as many types of riders are out there, there are just as many different kinds of cycles. From fixed gear bikes and single speed road frames, to hybrid and touring cycles , even mountain bikes - there's a kind of ride for everyone. You have to make sure each is stocked and offered at competitive pricing. Both you and your employees have to be knowledgeable on the latest in cycling technology, fashion, and news. Having easy to use bicycle shop POS software (Point of Sale) can aide in this.
The type of bike shop POS system you choose should make getting your business started as easy as turning on the computer. Logging inventory by category of bikes (MTN, single spd, etc.) is a good idea. You can also log items under department: cycle clothing, helmets, and bike parts - whatever you choose! Bike shop POS software is made to help smooth the prices of getting your business off the ground, quickly and successfully. To be even more efficient with your time, you might want to consider an iPhone inventory app scanner.
Having a well-stocked inventory at your bicycle shop is important, but that is only one part of a very large puzzle. The next big step would be to offer a well-informed, friendly staff. Some who enter your shop will have no idea what kind of bike is right for them, few may not even realize there's more than one kind of cycle (funny, but it's true!) - Offering informed customer service representatives will guarantee that each sale you make will follow by that person's return to your shop for future service and purchases. It also promises the best kind of advertising for any business, free word of mouth recommendations.
Also, if you're going to sell both brand new and used cycles, having an experience maintenance team on staff during business hours will help attract many into your store. A team of employees cross trained in both sales and repairs could be the mark of a great business. Offering a limited or extended warranty on new bikes also helps bring in return customers. Make sure you maintenance crew is as polite and well-informed as the sales staff. Bike shop POS systems can help keep track of what jobs are left open, and if certain repairs need specialized parts or if someone asked for specific items to be used / replaced.
Finally, and most importantly of all, everyone should share your passion for cycling. It will show to clients what a great time you all have when living out your dream.