subject: Dealing With Out-Of-Control Kids When Starting a Dollar Store [print this page] So you are starting a dollar store. Stop for a moment and think about the following situation. A mother has just entered your store with many small uncontrolled children in tow. Some of these children are shouting. Others run from one end of the store to the other. They shout, pick up products, and attempt to open merchandise packages. Then they see some newly arrived play balls all carefully stacked for display. With one big jump two of them are on the display and play balls are rolling in every direction. Shoppers scatter in all directions to keep from being hit by play balls.
Many dollar store owners have breathed a sigh of relief as a parent just like this leaves their store. Those same owners know they have likely lost sales during the commotion. There is even more concern than just lost dollar store sales. There is also concern that shoppers or employees may be injured if they trip over the merchandise packages that only moments ago were neatly stacked and on display.
If you are starting a dollar store expect this very scene from time to time. When it occurs take action. After all, if something is not done, many shoppers will give up and leave your store or worse. A portion of these loyal customers will not return and the sales you have routinely made to them are gone forever as well. After all they would never think of opening dollar store merchandise, screaming, running and throwing play balls all over your store. They would never climb onto your store fixtures. And they would never allow their own children to do it either.
On the other hand when starting a dollar store you cannot overreact. If you do overreact the risk is you will end up losing not only the sales to the mother and her thoughtless children, but also sales to countless other customers who feel you did not properly handle the situation. So what is the right thing to do when starting a dollar store?
Each person who owns a dollar store will likely have a different reaction and plan of attack. Sure they all worry about injury, broken merchandise, and loss of sales. But in almost all cases it simply takes a little polite request and the problem is solved.
* Remember - while some parents will not respect your store most do. The majority appreciate the money and hard work you have invested to start your business.
* Remember - Some children will be allowed to be out of control by their parents. For a small number of parents your toy department represents the babysitter while they shop in your store. Fortunately most parents realize it is much safer to be with their children throughout the store visit.
* If children are running around unattended, calmly and casually ask their parents to keep their children with them while in your store. Most will willingly immediately collect their children and beginning shopping for dollar store merchandise again. Being forceful and acting as if the children or parents are in trouble won't solve the problem and it is likely to make the parent feel they must leave your store immediately.
* If children are still unattended, ask them to return to their parents. Ask the parent once again to keep their children with them while shopping.
* In rare cases where parents simply refuse an employee can maintain order by being with the children.
* In the very rare cases where malicious damage to dollar store merchandise or your store is being done, ask the parent to remove the children from your store. You can also ban them from the store - but do so with caution.
To your success when starting a dollar store!
Dealing With Out-Of-Control Kids When Starting a Dollar Store
By: Bob Hamilton
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