Do you want to start an electronics store and need to write a plan? If YES, here is a sample electronics store business plan template & feasibility report.
Businesses that are worth going for is a business that you are certain people would need your services or products either every day or at least once a week. An electronics retail store falls into this category. Part of what you need to do to make headway in this line of business is to ensure that your store is intentionally positioned and you a have good business relationship with manufacturers and wholesale suppliers of various types of electronics.
One good thing about this type of business is that you don’t need to enroll in a conventional business school to learn how to start and run this type of business; it is a business that requires basic business skills such as knowledge of electronic gadgets, customer service, accounting skills, bargaining skills, networking skills, etc.
If you have decided to start an electronics retail store business, then you should ensure that you carry out feasibility studies and also market survey. Business plan is yet another very important business document that you should not take for granted when launching your own business.
Below is a sample electronics retail store business plan template that can help you to write your own with little or no difficulty.
A Sample Electronics Retail Store Business Plan Template
1. Industry Overview
Electronics retail store business is part of the consumer electronics industry and this industry consists of businesses that are into the sale of a wide range of new appliances, electrical goods and home entertainment products. Many stores also offer repair services and some stores sell used goods.
Consumer electronics and appliances are staples in US households and include a wide range of items, from DVD players to refrigerators. The Consumer Electronics Stores industry, which largely relies on discretionary purchases, has been plagued by increasing external competition over the last five years.
Statistics has it that in the united states of America alone, there are about 51,615 registered and licensed consumer electronics retail stores responsible for employing about 329,256 people and the industry rakes in a whooping sum of $86 billion annually.
The industry was projected to grow at -2.2 percent annual growth within 2014 and 2019. Please note that the companies holding the largest market share in the Consumer Electronics Stores in the US industry include Best Buy Co. Inc. and GameStop Corp.
A recent report published by IBISWORLD shows that consumer confidence and spending grew over the past five years, but not enough to lift the industry out of its mild decline due to fierce competition from online retailers, discount retailers and department stores.
Considering these difficult conditions, IBISWorld expects industry revenue to fall an annualized 2.2 percent to $85.7 billion over the five years to 2019; this includes a projected decline of 0.2 percent in 2019 alone, driven primarily by improvement in the overall economy of the United States of America.
If you are contemplating opening a consumer electronics retail store in the United States, you should ensure that you carry out thorough market survey and feasibility studies. The truth is that, if you get some key factors wrong before starting your own consumer electronics retail store, then you are likely going to struggle to stay afloat.
2. Executive Summary
Chris Logan® Consumer Electronics Retail Store, Inc. is a registered consumer electronics retail store business that will be located in one of the busiest business districts in New Haven – Connecticut.
We have been able to lease a shopping facility that is big enough (a 20,000 square feet facility) to fit into the design of the kind of standard consumer electronics retail store that we intend launching and the facility is located in the heart of New Haven – Connecticut.
Chris Logan® Consumer Electronics Retail Store, Inc. will retail a wide range of new appliances, electrical goods and home entertainment products to customers and also offer repair services in conjunction with our retail operations.
We are aware that there are several consumer electronics retail store outlets all around Connecticut, which is why we spent time and resources to conduct a thorough feasibility studies and market survey so as to be well positioned to favorably compete with all our competitors.
We have an online – service options for our customers, and our outlet is well secured with the various payment of options. Chris Logan® Consumer Electronics Retail Store, Inc. will ensure that all our customers are given first class treatment whenever they visit our store.
We have a CRM software that will enable us manage a one on one relationship with our customers no matter how large their numbers grow to. We will ensure that we get our customers involved in the selection of brands that will be on our store and also when making some business decisions.
Chris Logan® Consumer Electronics Retail Store, Inc. will at all times demonstrate her commitment to sustainability, both individually and as a business, by actively participating in our communities and integrating sustainable business practices wherever possible.
We will ensure that we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards by meeting our customers’ needs precisely and completely whenever they patronize our products. Chris Logan® Consumer Electronics Retail Store, Inc. is owned by Chris Logan and his immediate family members.
Chris Logan has a B.Sc. in Business Administration, with over 10 years’ experience in the Consumer Electronics Stores industry, working for some of the leading brands in the United States. Although the business is launching out with just one outlet in New Haven – Connecticut, but there is a plan to open other outlets all around major cities in the United States of America via the sale of franchising.
3. Our Products and Services
Chris Logan® Consumer Electronics Retail Store, Inc. is in the Consumer Electronics Stores industry to service a wide range of clients and of course to make profits, which is why we will ensure we go all the way to make available a wide range of consumer electronics from top manufacturing brands in the United States and other countries of the world.
Some of the products in our store are listed below;
- Retailing new household appliances (e.g. refrigerators, washing machines and ovens)
- Retailing new personal appliances (e.g. hair dryers, curling irons and electric razors)
- Retailing consumer electronics (e.g. radios, TVs, digital cameras, video games and computers)
- Retailing mobile phones, smartphones and accessories
- Offering repair services in conjunction with retail operations.
4. Our Mission and Vision Statement
- Our vision is to become the leading brand in the Consumer Electronics Stores industry in Connecticut and to establish a one stop consumer electronics retail store chains in New Haven and in other key cities in the United States of America.
- Our mission is to establish a world – class consumer electronics retail store business that will make available a wide range of consumer electronics from top consumer electronics manufacturing brands at affordable prices in New Haven – Connecticut and other key cities in the United States of America via franchising.
Our Business Structure
Chris Logan® Consumer Electronics Retail Store, Inc. is looking towards building a standard business that can be listed among the top – flight consumer electronics retail stores not just in New Haven – Connecticut but throughout the United States of America.
For that singular reason, we will make sure that establish the business on a solid business structure. As a result of business goal, we will ensure that we hire people that are qualified, honest, customer centric and are ready to work to help us build a prosperous business that will benefit all the stake holders.
As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our senior management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of ten years or more. In view of that, we have decided to hire qualified and competent hands to occupy the following positions;
- Chief Executive Officer (Owner)
- Store Manager
- Human Resources and Admin Manager
- Merchandize Manager
- Accountants/Cashiers
- Sales Girls and Sales Boys
- Truck and Van Drivers
5. Job Roles and Responsibilities
Chief Executive Officer – CEO:
- Increases management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results
- Creates, communicates, and implements the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
- Responsible for fixing prices and signing business deals
- Responsible for providing direction for the business
- Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
- Evaluates the success of the organization
- Reports to the board
Admin and HR Manager
- Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
- Maintains office supplies by checking stocks; placing and expediting orders; evaluating new products.
- Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; calling for repairs.
- Defines job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
- Carries out staff induction for new team members
- Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
- Responsible for arranging travel, meetings and appointments
- Oversees the smooth running of the daily office activities.
Store Manager:
- Responsible for managing the daily activities in the store/warehouse
- Ensures that proper records of consumer electronics are kept and warehouse does not run out of products
- Ensures that the store facility is in tip top shape and goods are properly arranged and easy to locate
- Interfaces with consumer electronics manufacturers
- Controls consumer electronics distribution and supply inventory
- Supervises the workforce in the consumer electronics sales floor.
Merchandise Manager
- Manages vendor relations, market visits, and the ongoing education and development of the organizations’ buying teams
- Helps to ensure consistent quality of consumer electronics are purchased and retailed/supplied in good price that will ensure we make good profit
- Responsible for the purchase of consumer electronics for the organizations
- Responsible for planning sales, monitoring inventory, selecting the merchandise, and writing and pricing orders to vendors
- Ensures that the organization operates within stipulated budget.
Accountant/Cashier:
- Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
- Provides managements with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports
- Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
- Performs cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting
- Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
- Responsible for administering payrolls
- Ensures compliance with taxation legislation
- Handles all financial transactions for the organization
- Serves as internal auditor for the organization
Truck and Van Drivers
- Assists in loading and unloading goods/consumer electronics
- Maintains a logbook of their driving activities to ensure compliance with federal regulations governing the rest and work periods for operators.
- Keeps a record of vehicle inspections and make sure the truck is equipped with safety equipment, such as hazardous material placards.
- Assists the transport and logistics manager in planning their route according to a pick-up and delivery schedule.
- Inspects vehicles for mechanical items and safety issues and perform preventative maintenance
- Complies with truck driving rules and regulations (size, weight, route designations, parking, break periods etc.) as well as with company policies and procedures
- Collects and verifies delivery instructions
- Reports defects, accidents or violations
Sales Girls and Sales Boys
- Ensures that all contacts with clients (e-mail, walk-In center, SMS or phone) provides the client with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
- Through interaction with customers on the phone, uses every opportunity to build client’s interest in the company’s products and services
- Responsible for monitoring and recording inventory and stock levels, electronic sales associates periodically check inventory, comparing it to expected levels, taking note of discrepancies or missing stock.
- Help customers choose electronic equipment and devices, such as mobile phones, televisions, game consoles, and computers.
- In addition to selling electronic equipment and devices, he/she also process returns and exchanges, inspecting returned items for signs of damage as they process returns via cash or credit card. Additionally, enter returns in the store’s point-of-sale (POS) system and return items to inventory or to shelves.
- Support sales goals by promoting value-added items such as extended warranties and device insurance. They present customers with information regarding replacement costs and insurance coverage, usually during the checkout process.
- Consistently stays abreast of any new information on the organizations’ products, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to customers when they make enquiries
6. SWOT Analysis
Any profitable business or a business with prospects is bound to be competitive and as a new business you must be ready to compete in the industry and competing in the industry means that you must follow due process of establishing a business.
We are quite aware that there are several consumer electronics retail stores all over New Haven and even in the same location where we intend locating ours, which is why we are following the due process of establishing a business.
We know that if a proper SWOT analysis is conducted for our business, we will be able to position our business to maximize our strength, leverage on the opportunities that will be available to us, mitigate our risks and be equipped to confront our threats.
Chris Logan® Consumer Electronics Retail Store, Inc. employed the services of an expert HR and Business Analyst with bias in supply store chain business to help us conduct a thorough SWOT analysis. This is the summary of the SWOT analysis that was conducted for Chris Logan® Consumer Electronics Retail Store, Inc.;
- Strength:
Our business is located in a city with people with high purchasing powers and also, we can boast of having good business relationship with top manufacturers in the consumer electronics manufacturing industry and wholesale distributors in and around New Haven – Connecticut.
- Weakness:
A major weakness that may count against us is the fact that we are not yet a major wholesale distributor, we are a new consumer electronics retail store outlet and we don’t have the financial capacity to compete with multi – million dollar stores when it comes to retailing consumer electronics at a rock bottom price.
- Opportunities:
Products sold by consumer electronics stores are often discretionary. Therefore, a rise in per capita disposable income increases consumers’ propensity to purchase industry goods, leading to growth in demand. Per capita disposable income is expected to increase in the coming year, representing a potential opportunity for the industry.
We have been able to conduct thorough feasibility studies and market survey and we know what our potential clients will be looking for when they order consumer electronics from us; we are well positioned to take on the opportunities that will come our way.
- Threat:
Online retailers are major competitors to industry operators. These retailers sell consumer electronics and appliances, often at lower prices than consumer electronics stores due to the lack of fixed costs, attracting customers away from industry players. The percentage of services conducted online is expected to increase in the coming year, representing a potential threat to the industry.
7. MARKET ANALYSIS
- Market Trends
If you are conversant with the Industry, you will quite agree that the changes in disposable income, consumer sentiment, ever changing trends and of course the rate of homeownership are major growth drivers for this industry. No doubt, a massive rise in consumer confidence has also contributed in helping the industry experience remarkable growth, but uneven performance in these drivers has led to slightly constrained revenue growth.
So also, the rising demand for both building renovations as a result of increasing disposable income and consumer sentiment, will result in revenue growth, but profit margins will stagnate as consumer electronics retail stores keep prices low to attract more sales amid growing competition.
A close watch on industry activities reveals that the retail market for consumer electronics was hit hard by the recent economic downturn and experienced a decline in revenue in recent time. The construction of new homes is a primary market for industry products, so as housing stats increase, demand tends to follow. Moreover, as home builders have increased their use of electronics, demand for complementary consumer electronics has risen.
8. Our Target Market
We have positioned our consumer electronics retail store to service residents in New Haven – Connecticut and every other location where outlets will be located. We have conducted our market research and feasibility studies and we have ideas of what our target market would be expecting from us.
We are in business to supply a wide range of consumer electronics to the following;
- Offices
- Home Remodeling Companies
- Facility managers
- Households in and around our store locations
Our Competitive Advantage
A close study of the consumer electronics industry reveals that the market has become much more intensely competitive over the last decade. As a matter of fact, you have to be highly creative, customer centric and proactive if you must survive in this industry. We are aware of the stiff competition and we are prepared to compete favorably with other leading stores in New Haven – Connecticut.
One thing is certain, we will ensure that we have a wide range of consumer electronics available in our store at all times. It will be difficult for customers to visit our store and not see the type of consumer electronics that they are looking for.
One of our business goals is to make Chris Logan® Consumer Electronics Retail Store, Inc. a one stop consumer electronics shop. Our excellent customer service culture, online store, various payment options and highly secured facility will serve as a competitive advantage for us.
Lastly, our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category in the industry meaning that they will be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and objectives. We will also give good working conditions and commissions to freelance sales agents that we will recruit from time to time.
9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY
- Sources of Income
Chris Logan® Consumer Electronics Retail Store, Inc. is in business to retail a wide range of consumer electronics to residents of New Haven – Connecticut. We are in the industry to maximize profits and we are going to ensure that we achieve or business goals and objectives.
Chris Logan® Consumer Electronics Retail Store, Inc. will generate income by;
- Retailing new household appliances (e.g. refrigerators, washing machines and ovens)
- Retailing new personal appliances (e.g. hair dryers, curling irons and electric razors)
- Retailing consumer electronics (e.g. radios, TVs, digital cameras, video games and computers)
- Retailing mobile phones, smartphones and accessories
- Offering repair services in conjunction with retail operations.
10. Sales Forecast
One thing is certain when it comes to consumer electronics retail stores, if your store is stocked with various types of consumer electronics and centrally positioned, you will always attract customers.
We are well positioned to take on the available market in New Haven – Connecticut and we are quite optimistic that we will meet our set target of generating enough income/profits from the first six months of operation and grow the business and our clientele base.
We have been able to examine the Consumer Electronics Stores industry, we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast. Below is the sales projection for Chris Logan® Consumer Electronics Retail Store, Inc., it is based on the location of our business and other factors as it relates to consumer electronics retail stores startups in the United States;
- First Fiscal Year (FY1): $350,000
- Second Fiscal Year (FY2): $550,000
- Third Fiscal Year (FY3): $750,000
N.B: This projection was done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown and there won’t be any major competitor retailing same consumer electronics within same location. Please note that the above projection might be lower and at the same time it might be higher.
- Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy
Before choosing a location for Chris Logan® Consumer Electronics Retail Store, Inc., we conducted a thorough market survey and feasibility studies in order for us to penetrate the available market and become the preferred choice for key players in the industry of New Haven – Connecticut.
We have detailed information and data that we were able to utilize to structure our business to attract the number of customers we want to attract per time. We hired experts who have good understanding of the industry to help us develop marketing strategies that will help us achieve our business goal of winning a larger percentage of the available market in New Haven – Connecticut.
In summary, Chris Logan® Consumer Electronics Retail Store, Inc. will adopt the following sales and marketing approach to win customers over;
- Introduce our consumer electronics retail store by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to offices, home remodeling companies, households and other key stake holders in New Haven – Connecticut
- Ensure that we have a wide range of consumer electronics from different manufacturing brand at all times.
- Make use of attractive hand bills to create awareness and also to give direction to our consumer electronics retail store
- Position our signage / flexi banners at strategic places around New Haven – Connecticut
- Position our greeters to welcome and direct potential customers
- Create a loyalty plan that will enable us reward our regular customers
- List our business and products on yellow pages ads (local directories)
- Leverage on the internet to promote our business
- Engage in direct marketing and sales
- Encourage the use of Word of mouth marketing (referrals)
11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy
Despite the fact that our store is well located, we will still go ahead to intensify publicity for the business. Chris Logan® Consumer Electronics Retail Store, Inc. has a long – term plan of opening outlets in various locations all around Connecticut, which is why we will deliberately build our brand to be well accepted in New Haven before venturing out.
Here are the platforms we intend leveraging on to promote and advertise Chris Logan® Consumer Electronics Retail Store, Inc.;
- Place adverts on community – based newspapers, radio stations and TV stations.
- Encourage the use of word of mouth publicity from our loyal customers
- Leverage on the internet and social media platforms and other platforms to promote our business.
- Ensure that our we position our banners and billboards in strategic positions all around New Haven – Connecticut
- Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas in and around our neighborhood
- Advertise our consumer electronics retail store business in our official website and employ strategies that will help us pull traffic to the site
- Brand all our official cars and trucks and ensure that all our staff members and management staff wear our branded shirt or cap at regular intervals.
12. Our Pricing Strategy
Aside from quality, pricing is one of the key factors that gives leverage to consumer electronics retail stores, it is normal for consumers to go to places where they can get cheaper prices which is why big player in the industry attract loads of clients.
We know we don’t have the capacity to compete with multi – million – dollar consumer electronics retail stores but we will ensure that the prices and quality of all our electronics are competitive with what is obtainable amongst consumer electronics retail stores within our level.
- Payment Options
The payment policy adopted by Chris Logan® Consumer Electronics Retail Store, Inc. is all inclusive because we are quite aware that different customers prefer different payment options as it suits them but at the same time, we will ensure that we abide by the financial rules and regulation of the United States of America.
Here are the payment options that Chris Logan® Consumer Electronics Retail Store, Inc. will make available to her clients;
- Payment via bank transfer
- Payment via credit cards
- Payment via online bank transfer
- Payment via check
- Payment via mobile money transfer
- Payment via bank draft
In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will enable our client make payment for purchase of our consumer electronics without any stress on their part. Our bank account numbers will be made available on our website and promotional materials.
13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)
From our market survey and feasibility studies, we have been able to come up with a detailed budget of establishing a standard consumer electronics supply business in New Haven, and here are the key areas where we will spend our startup capital;
- The total fee for registering the Business in New Haven – Connecticut – $750.
- Legal expenses for obtaining licenses and permits as well as the accounting services (software, P.O.S machines and other software) – $3,300.
- Marketing promotion expenses for the grand opening of Chris Logan® Consumer Electronics Retail Store, Inc. in the amount of $3,500 and as well as flyer printing (2,000 flyers at $0.04 per copy) for the total amount of $3,580.
- The cost for hiring Business Consultant – $2,500.
- Insurance (general liability, workers’ compensation and property casualty) coverage at a total premium – $2,400.
- The cost for payment of rent for 12 months at $1.76 per square feet in the total amount of $65,600.
- The cost for shop / warehouse remodeling (construction of racks and shelves) – $20,000.
- Other start-up expenses including stationery ($500) and phone and utility deposits ($2,500).
- Operational cost for the first 3 months (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – $60,000
- The cost for start-up inventory (stocking with a wide range of electronics such as new household appliances (e.g. refrigerators, washing machines and ovens), new personal appliances (e.g. hair dryers, curling irons and electric razors), consumer electronics (e.g. radios, TVs, digital cameras, video games and computers) and mobile phones, smartphones and accessories et al) – $250,000
- The cost for counter area equipment – $9,500
- The cost for store equipment (cash register, security, ventilation, signage) – $13,750
- The cost of purchase and installation of CCTVs – $10,000
- The cost for the purchase of office furniture and gadgets (Computers, Printers, Telephone, TVs, Sound System, tables and chairs et al) – $4,000.
- The cost of launching a Website – $600
- Miscellaneous – $10,000
We would need an estimate of five hundred and fifty thousand (450,000) US Dollars to successfully set up our consumer electronics retail store in New Haven – Connecticut.
Generating Funds/Startup Capital for Chris Logan® Consumer Electronics Retail Store, Inc.
Chris Logan® Consumer Electronics Retail Store, Inc. is a private business that is solely owned and financed by Chris Logan and his immediate family members. They do not intend to welcome any external business partners which is why he has decided to restrict the sourcing of the startup capital to 3 major sources.
- Generate part of the startup capital from personal savings
- Source for soft loans from family members and friends
- Apply for loan from the bank
N.B: We have been able to generate about $150,000 (Personal savings $100,000 and soft loan from family members $50,000) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $400,000 from our bank. All the papers and documents have been signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited with the amount.
14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy
Part of the plans we have in place to sustain Chris Logan® Consumer Electronics Retail Store, Inc. is to ensure that we continue to make available a wide range of consumer electronics, retail our products at competitive prices, improvise on how to do things faster and cheaper. We are not going to relent in providing conducive environment for our workers.
From our findings, another factor that kills new business is financial leakages. In order to plug financial leakages, the management of Chris Logan® Consumer Electronics Retail Store, Inc. adopt the use of payment machine and accounting software to run the business.
We are quite aware that our customers are key component to the growth and survival of our business hence we are going to continuously engage them to give us ideas on how to serve them better. Chris Logan® Consumer Electronics Retail Store, Inc. will make sure that the right foundation, structures and processes are put in place to ensure that our staff welfare are well taken of.
Our company’s corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater heights and training and retraining of our workforce is at the top burner. We know that if that is put in place, we will be able to successfully hire and retain the best hands we can get in the industry; they will be more committed to help us build the business of our dreams.
Check List/Milestone
- Business Name Availability Check: Completed
- Business Registration: Completed
- Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts: Completed
- Securing Point of Sales (POS) Machines: Completed
- Opening Mobile Money Accounts: Completed
- Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
- Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
- Application for business license and permit: Completed
- Purchase of Insurance for the Business: Completed
- Leasing of facility and remodeling the shop: In Progress
- Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
- Generating capital from family members: Completed
- Applications for Loan from the bank: In Progress
- Writing of Business Plan: Completed
- Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
- Drafting of Contract Documents and other relevant Legal Documents: In Progress
- Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
- Printing of Packaging and Promotional Materials: In Progress
- Recruitment of employees: In Progress
- Purchase of the needed furniture, racks, shelves, computers, electronic appliances, office appliances and CCTV: In progress
- Purchase of initial supply of household appliances (e.g. refrigerators, washing machines and ovens), new personal appliances (e.g. hair dryers, curling irons and electric razors), consumer electronics (e.g. radios, TVs, digital cameras, video games and computers: In Progress
- Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
- Creating Awareness for the business both online and around the community: In Progress
- Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement (License): Secured
- Compilation of our list of products that will be available in our store: Completed
- Establishing business relationship with vendors – manufacturers of consumer electronics and wholesale suppliers: In Progress