Know-How Exchange : Strategy

We will need more detailed information than what you've provided. The retail industry is pretty broad, and the skills and experience you'll want from your U.S. partner will depend on what it is you're selling and to whom. Retailing skis and camping gear is very different from retailing power tools and lawn mowers. Sure there are some commonalities, but there are also some important differences.

If you are concerned about confidentiality, you may contact me directly, using the email address in my profile, and I'll try to put you in touch with someone who can help. Of course, I'll need details. (I'm located in the US/North, and I've been involved in dozens of different retail operations over the years.)

Dear John,

I believe you're the "Pure Switzerland" / "100% Switzerland" chap from a few days ago.

OK. To open a bricks and mortar store here, in the US, by remote control, from Switzerland will take time, money, and travel. lots of all three.

If you've got the money, the vision, the business plan, and the nuggets to pull it off, by all means, go for it!

And more power to you!

But would it not be better to do this online first, to test the waters?
Perhaps through some kind of affiliate set up?

That way, you could begin small and THEN expand, rather than launch the whole enchilada with a big (expensive) splash and run the risk of it all going horribly pear shaped.

But eitehr way, you MUST answer the following questions, if only to calm the nerves of your bank manager:

What are your products?
What are your price points?
Why a shopping mall?
Which shopping mall, and where?
What would your monthly profit and loss projections be?
How much inventory will you carry?
What terms will suppliers request?
How much mark up will you include?
Who will you sell to?
Why will these people buy form you?
How long until you turn a profit?
Will you be satisfied with breaking even in your first year or two of being in business in order to establish some kind of beachhead, some kind of foothold in an overseas market?

But the most important question of all is this: why would anyone buy from you when, with just 10 minutes on Google they could probably find exactly the same goods and have them shipped from Europe for less money that they'd pay you to import the goods and charge top dollar?

This last question is the killer.

It's the question that could, IF YOU DON'T ASK IT AND ANSWER IT, sink your whole effort.

I don't want to be seen as a wet blanket here. All I'm urging is a little reality check before you spend what could be a boatload of money.

I hope this helps and I really do wish you the best of luck.

Gary Bloomer
Wilmington, DE, USA