Evaluati ng products for a new business: The idea behind most retail. businesses" ~- is built around a particular product or “dine of goods, Anyone starting a new retail venture obviously must give con- . . siderable thought to what is to be. sold, _ and why, The entrepreneur of a new retail business must be honest with himself of herself as to retail experience, both in a general way and in terms of the particular product involved. Many people have by Phil Hartt _ Manager, Terrace Federal Business found to their dismay, and too late to- Development Bank ‘lange it, that there is a good deal more ; to selling than just attaching a price tag and placing something on a counter. If the new retail operator is short of experience, steps should be taken to remedy the situation. There are many publications available that can provide an insight into retailing and some com- munity colleges offer courses in starting and managing small businesses. In addition, other retail establishments can be visited and observed and analysis can be made of why certain stores do bet- ter than others because of such factors as layout, courtesy, prices, and number and style of product lines. ' Shops that sell the same goods as a new retail ‘venture also should be visited and observed to obtain relevant information. If the would-be owner of a new retail business does not have experience in the particular line to be sold, consideration can be given to working for a few months in a shop similar to the one _ planned. ‘Six months would be ample time to gain the required knowhow. ‘Before any decision is made as to what product or product line should be sold in a new retail veriture, a number of questions _must be asked and answers found. These involve source and con- tinuity of supply; the question of warranty; the problem of after- _Sale service; deliveries; and assembly if the product is is a com- plicated or. difficult one.to use. The financial aspect of a product or product line also must be considered. If it is-ah expensive item, customers may hesitate before buying. If it is a cheap item, a great many may have to be sold to make a profit and, in that case, purchase from a supplier in bulk would be desirable and must be certain. Seasonability or the possible passing popularity of the product also must be considered. In either case, thought must be given to goods that can be sold at other times. Similarly, if the product i is a novelty or a gimmick item, con- sideration must be given to what can be sold after advantage has been taken of the novelty aspect but it has worn off. _ Finally, there is one last question to be answered: Why was the product or product line chosen by the new retail venture? Familiarity with the goods is not enough of a reason; nor is __ personal preference. If there are few potential customers who share the enthusiasm of the new store owner for his products, the business obviously: cannot succeed as it should. _ There are a lot of questions to be asked and answered about the product or product line to be sold in a new retail business establishment. But those answers are vital if the venture is to at- tain anything approaching its full potential. If it is not selling what the public wants to buy, it cannot suc- ceed. 7 - Jonsered Super 670. T Takes on the This new contender from It’s Cool... it’s Fast. ws It's + Tough JONSERED with its stronger ZAR Will out cut anything in its closs mid-section can:really fa P take a beating. The @ i Super 670 ‘pocks o powerlul punch. gf | Accapt the challenge ond be o cut obove e onsered r. ProLine A CUT ABOVE THE REST SEE THE JONSERED SUPER 670 AT YOUR DEALER RIVER INDUSTRIES © (TERRACE) LTD. P.O. BOX 538 -- TERRACE, B.C. V8G 485 5130A HIGHWAY 16 WEST 636-7383. | ‘Tervace Review — Wednesday, July 27, 1988 13 | ‘Loan arrives too late to get Shames started up this winter TERRACE u=- The Shames Mountain Ski Corporation has -been offered a $505,260 low in- _ terest loan'to move their present operation on Kitsumkalum Mountain: to Shames Mountain in’ time -for the 1989/90 ski season. The announcement was made jointly by Frank Oberle, federal Minister of State for Science and ‘Technology and ' MLA Dave Parker in- Terrace last Friday. ~Shames Mountain ‘Manager Dennis Lissimore explained that under the agreement, Shames Mountain could proceed with the project and they would be re- ‘ imbursed for specific items up to - ‘the maximum value of the loan. He added that a few small details of the agreement were yet to be worked out, but he ex- pected that the loan will be finalized within two weeks. Lissimore said the announce- ment came too late in the year to allow them to open Shames Mountain for the coming season, but a littlke more than a year from now they will be up and running. He said that in some ways this is an advantage because it allows more time to do the work properly rather than rush the project. However, he added, it means no skiing in the Terrace area this season. He explained that pres- ent plans are to dismantle and inspect the Kitsumkalum site | Petition drive tops 10,000 The Interior University Socie- ty, a body established to lobby the B.C. government for the construction of a public univer- sity in Prince George, recently announced that- their. paid- petition campaign went over the 10,000 mark. Prince George, with 7,310 i signatures as of July 19, is by far the largest contributor. On the same date a total of 29 signatures had been gathered in Terrace, but the society states that a more intensive drive in northwest communities will take place sometime this summer or fall. and do some preparation work on Shames this year. Next year, he said, they are going to move buildings and equipment to Shames Mountain and have it in operation in the fall. In making the announcement, Oberle said the Shames Moun- tain development will adda ‘new dimension”’ to the tourism potential of. the Northwest by offering a better balance of sum- ‘mer and winter activities. Parker added to that by saying the com- bined developments of Mount Layton Hot Springs and Hudson Bay and Shames mountains of- fers a tourism package that places us in the international market, The loan was arranged through the Canada/British Columbia Tourist Industry. Development Subsidiary Agree- ment, one of eight subsidiary agreements under the Economic and Regional Development Agreement signed in November, 1984 by B.C. and the - federal government. The program is designed to create new employ- ment opportunities and to stimulate long-term growth in B.C.’s tourism industry. compact unit. of the office to 5 letter-size pages print and graphics. ® G3 Compatibility. | Canon FAX Personal Faxability! @ Sleek design combines facsimile, telephone and copier in one @ Simple, easy-to-use operation. @ Automatic Reception lets you receive information while you're out @ Automatic Document Feeder-up _ @ Fine Mode transmits detailed @ Convenient Last Number Redlal: INTRODUCTORY _ ~ SPECIAL! © Leasing Plans: 24 month lease 30 month lease 36 month lease . 48 month lease Sugg. Retail: Intro. Special Payments are payable monthly plus 6% sales tax. Purchase option for the 24 and 30 month leases is *10.% plus tax. Purchase option for the 36 . and 48 month leases is 15% in the 33rd and 45th months respectively. ’ Leases are subject to credit approval. oe & LIMITED QUANTITIES & * Canon FAXPHONE 8 $1795, $1,995. $1,795. 495.58 ~—6l 22 68.66 - 56.09 BUSINESS MACHINES, Terrace 638-8585 . 4552 Lakelse Ave., V8G 1P8 - FAX 635-4071 Prince Rupert 624-5714 737 Fraser St., V8J 1R1 FAX 624-5549 _ Kitimat 632-5037. _gthe