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How to Write a School Supplies Business Plan [Sample Template]

Are you about starting a school supplies company? If YES, here is a complete sample school supplies business plan template & feasibility report you can use FREE. School supplies businesses sell and distribute teaching materials to schools, parents, teachers and students. These stores frequently carry a wide selection of educational materials and decorations for classroom teachers such as books, pencils, pens, etc.

With this type of business, you can choose to own a store/warehouse if you have the financial capacity to or you can choose to operate without a store. The bottom line is that you must own your own distribution truck/van, you should know how to source for school supplies and how to get them delivered to your customers.

Come to think of it, starting a school supplies business is profitable, it is a very easy business to start and it is not so capital intensive especially if you get the goods on trust from the production companies. Getting the right products that people want to buy and good networking and stock keeping records are the secrets of running a school supplies business.

So, if you have decided to start a school supplies business, then you should ensure that you carry out thorough feasibility studies and also market survey. This will enable you locate the business in a location with the right demography, network with school supplies retailers and then hit the ground running.

Business plan is yet another very important business document that you should not take for granted while launching your own school supplies business. Below is a sample school supplies business plan template that will give you the needed guide to write yours with ease.

A Sample School Supplies Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

Businesses in the School Supplies Wholesaling industry are involved in the sale and distribution of office tools, writing implements, stamps and stencils, stationery and loose-leaf paper, notebooks, binders and organizers and other related items.

If you have been keeping close tabs with happenings in the School Supplies Wholesaling industry, you would have noticed that the industry has struggled over the five years to 2018 with low demand and declining supply-chain relevance.

The School Supplies Wholesaling industry is a thriving sector of the economy of the united states of America and they generate a whooping over billion annually from more than 508 registered and licensed School Supplies Wholesaling businesses scattered all around the United States of America.

The industry is responsible for the employment of over 2,698 people. Experts project the industry to grow at a -2.0 percent annual rate within 2013 and 2018. It is important to state that the company holding the largest market share in the School Supplies Wholesaling industry is School Specialty Inc.

A recent report released by IBISWorld shows that over the past five years, the School Supplies Wholesaling industry has declined by -2.0 percent to reach revenue of $2bn in 2018. In the same timeframe, the number of businesses has declined by -0.2 percent and the number of employees has declined by -3.0 percent.

It is a fact that an estimated two-thirds of the United States’ gross domestic product (GDP) comes from retail consumption of which the School Supplies Wholesaling industry contributes greatly. This is why the United States of America’s economy is measured with the yardstick of how well the retailing business is fairing there.

When there is an unstable economy, purchasing power drops and it impacts the retailing / distribution industry negatively which may result in the closure of some of these businesses.

School supplies business is indeed a profitable business venture and it is open for any aspiring entrepreneur to come in and establish his or her business; you can choose to start on a small scale without a store/warehouse or you can choose to start on a large scale with standard store/warehouse, dozens of distribution trucks and a strong online presence.

2. Executive Summary

Regina Trent® School Supplies Company, LLC is a registered distribution company that will be involved in the distribution of teaching resources to schools and retail centers. Our warehouse and store will be located around Los Angeles Unified – California which happens to be the district with the second highest number of schools (646,683 schools) in the whole of the United States.

We have been able to lease a warehouse facility that is big enough to fit into the kind of school supplies company that we intend launching and the facility is centrally located in the heart of town with easy delivery network.

Regina Trent® School Supplies Company, LLC will distribute a wide range of school supplies at affordable prices from different brands. We will engage in the sale and distribution of office tools, writing implements, stamps and stencils, stationery and loose-leaf paper, notebooks, binders, organizers and other related items.

We are aware that there are several school supplies companies all around Los Angeles- California which is why we spent time and resources to conduct our feasibility studies and market survey so as to offer much more than our competitors will be offering. We have robust distribution network; strong online presence and our distributors are armed with the various payment options available in the United States.

Our customer care is going to be second to none in the whole of Los Angeles Unified – California and our deliveries will be highly reliable. We know that our customers are the reason why we are in business which is why we will go the extra mile to get them satisfied when they patronize our products.

Regina Trent® School Supplies Company, LLC will ensure that all our customers are given first class treatment whenever they visit our warehouse or order school supplies from us. We have a CRM software that will enable us manage a one on one relationship with our customers no matter how large the numbers of our customers’ base and distribution network may grow to.

We will ensure that we get our customers involved in the selection of brands and also when making some business decisions that directly affect them.

Regina Trent® School Supplies Company, LLC will at all times demonstrate her commitment to sustainability, both individually and as a firm, 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 client’s needs precisely and completely.

Regina Trent® School Supplies Company, LLC is a family business that is owned by Regina Trent and her immediate family members. Regina Trent has a B.Sc. in Business Administration with over 8 years’ experience in the retailing and distribution industry, working for some of the leading brand in the United States.

Although the business is launching out with focusing on Los Angeles Unified – California, but there is a plan to expand our distribution network all across the state of California.

3. Our Products and Services

Regina Trent® School Supplies Company, LLC is in the School Supplies Wholesaling industry and we will be involved in the distribution of a wide range of products from top manufacturing brands in the United States. Our products and services offerings are listed below;

• Writing implements, stamps and stencils
• Stationery (Pencil box, Crayons, Colored pencils, Washable markers, Ballpoint pens, Pencil sharpener, Erasers, Glue sticks, Ruler, Blunt-tipped scissors, Plastic folders, Assorted construction paper, Wide-ruled notebook or pad, Index cards, Loose-leaf paper)
• Notebooks, binders and organizers
• Lunchbox or bag

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our vision is to become the leading brand in the school supplies line of business in the whole of Los Angeles Unified – California.
• Our mission is to establish a highly reliable school supplies business brand that will distribute a wide range of teaching resources to schools and retail centers in Los Angeles Unified and other cities in California where we intend launching out.

Our Business Structure

Our intention of starting a school supplies business is to build a standard retail and distribution business in Los Angeles Unified – California. We will ensure that we put the right structure in place that will support the kind of growth that we have in mind while setting up the business.

We will make sure 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 our stakeholders. 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 that will be made available at Regina Trent® School Supplies Company, LLC;

• Chief Executive Officer (Owner)
• Warehouse Manager
• Human Resources and Admin Manager

Merchandize Manager

Sales and Marketing Manager

Information Technologist

• Accountants/Cashiers
• Customer Services Executive
• Drivers/Distributors

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 and developing incentives
• Creating, communicating, and implementing 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.
• Defining job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Carrying out induction for new team members
• Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
• Responsible for arranging travel, meetings and appointments
• Oversee the smooth running of the daily office activities.

Warehouse Manager:

• Responsible for organizing the safe and efficient receipt, storage and dispatch of warehoused goods
• In charge of planning, coordinating and monitoring the receipt, order assembly and dispatch of goods
• In charge of coordinating the use of automated and computerized systems where necessary
• Responsible for keeping stock control systems up to date and making sure inventories are accurate
• Responsible for producing regular reports and statistics on a daily, weekly and monthly basis
• Ensures that proper records of goods are kept and warehouse does not run out of products
• Ensure that the warehouse facility is in tip top shape and goods are properly arranged and easy to locate
• Supervise the workforce in the warehouse floor.
• Manage vendor relations, market visits, and the ongoing education and development of the organizations’ buying teams
• Responsible for the purchase of office tools, writing implements, stamps and stencils, stationery and loose-leaf paper, notebooks, binders and organizers and other related items for the organizations
• Ensures that the organization operates within stipulated budget.
• Manage external research and coordinate all the internal sources of information to retain the organizations’ best customers and attract new ones
• Model demographic information and analyze the volumes of transactional data generated by customer purchases
• Identify, prioritize, and reach out to new partners, and business opportunities et al
• Identifies development opportunities; follows up on development leads and contacts
• Responsible for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with clients
• Document all customer contact and information
• Represent the company in strategic meetings
• Help increase sales and growth for the company
• Manage the organization website
• Handles ecommerce aspect of the business
• Responsible for installing and maintenance of computer software and hardware for the organization
• Manage logistics and supply chain software, Web servers, e-commerce software and POS (point of sale) systems
• Manage the organization’s CCTV
• Handles any other technological and IT related duties.

Accountant/Cashier:

• Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Provides managements with financial analyses, market research to forecast trends and business conditions.
• 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
• Ensuring compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for the organization
• Serves as internal auditor for the organization

Client Service Executive

• 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
• Manages administrative duties assigned by the human resources and admin manager in an effective and timely manner
• 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

Distribution Truck Drivers

• Assist in loading and unloading stock
• Maintain a logbook of their driving activities to ensure compliance with federal regulations governing the rest and work periods for operators.
• Keep a record of vehicle inspections and make sure the truck is equipped with safety equipment
• Assist the transport and logistics manager in planning their route according to a distribution schedule.
• Local-delivery drivers may be required to sell products or services to stores and businesses on their route, obtain signatures from recipients and collect cash.
• Inspect vehicles for mechanical items and safety issues and perform preventative maintenance
• Comply with truck driving rules and regulations (size, weight, route designations, parking, break periods etc.) as well as with company policies and procedures
• Collect and verify delivery instructions
• Report defects, accidents or violations

6. SWOT Analysis

Our intention of starting out in Los Angeles Unified and distribute our goods only within the are is to test run the business for a period of 2 to 5 years to know if we will invest more money and then expand all around the state of California.

We are quite aware that there are several school supplies companies all over Los Angeles Unified 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.

Regina Trent® School Supplies Company, LLC employed the services of an expert HR and Business Analyst with bias in retailing and distribution to help us conduct a thorough SWOT analysis and to help us create a Business model that will help us achieve our business goals and objectives. This is the summary of the SWOT analysis that was conducted for Regina Trent® School Supplies Company, LLC;

Our location, the business model we will be operating (robust distribution network), varieties of payment options, wide range of products from top brands and our excellent customer service culture will definitely count as a strong strength for Regina Trent® School Supplies Company, LLC. So, also our management team has what it takes to grow a business from startup to profitability with a record time.

A major weakness that may count against us is the fact that we are a new school supplies business and we don’t have the financial capacity to compete with leaders in the industry for now.

• Opportunities:

The fact that we are going to be operating our school supplies business in Los Angeles Unified – California provides us with unlimited opportunities to supply our school supplies to a large number of schools and retail facilities. 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 patronize our products and services; we are well positioned to take on the opportunities that will come our way.

Just like any other business, one of the major threats that we are likely going to face is economic downturn. It is a fact that economic downturn affects purchasing / spending power. Another threat that may likely confront us is the arrival of a similar business in same location where ours is located. We are not ignoring the fact that unfavorable government policies can also affect our business.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

A broader trend toward ecommerce has been particularly pronounced in this industry, which resulted into encouraging more consumers to circumvent retailers and the wholesalers that supply them. In addition to that, brick-and-mortar retail sales have increasingly shifted to big-box department and discount stores who also retail school supplies.

They have been able to overtime make use of their purchasing power to source products directly from manufacturers, internalizing distribution functions and eliminating independent wholesalers from the school supply chain.

It is now a common phenomenon for distribution companies to leverage on technology to effectively predict consumer demand patterns and to strategically position their business to meet their needs; in essence, the use of technology has helped businesses like school supplies to maximize supply chain efficiencies.

8. Our Target Market

The school supplies wholesaling industry has a wide range of customers. In view of that, we have positioned our school supplies company to service schools and retail centers in Los Angeles Unified – California and every other location we will cover.

We have conducted our market research and we have ideas of what our target market would be expecting from us. We are in business to retail (distribute) a wide range of school supplies from different production companies to the following businesses;

• Retailers of school supplies

Our competitive advantage

A close study of the school supplies 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 school supplies businesses in and around Los Angeles Unified – California.

One thing is certain; we will ensure that we have a wide range of products available in our warehouse at all times. One of our business goals is to make Regina Trent® School Supplies Company, LLC a one stop school supplies company. Our excellent customer service culture, timely and reliable delivery services, online presence, and various payment options 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 (startups school supplies businesses) in the industry meaning that they will be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our aims 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

Regina Trent® School Supplies Company, LLC is in business to retail (distribute) a wide range of school supplies from top production companies to schools in Los Angeles Unified – California. We are in the school supplies wholesaling industry to maximize profits and we are going to go all the way out to ensure that we achieve or business goals and objectives.

We will generate income for the business by retailing and distributing;

10. Sales Forecast

One thing is certain when it comes to school supplies business, if your business is centrally positioned coupled with effective and reliable distribution network, you will always attract sales and that will sure translate to increase in revenue generation for the business.

We are well positioned to take on the available market in Los Angeles Unified – California and we are quite optimistic that we will meet our set target of generating enough income / profits from our first six months of operation and grow the business and our clientele base.

We have been able to examine the school supplies wholesaling industry, we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast.

Below are the sales projections for Regina Trent® School Supplies Company, LLC, it is based on the location of our business, the list of school supplies and other factors as it relates to school supplies startups in the United States;

• First Fiscal Year: $240,000
• Second Fiscal Year: $350,000
• Third Fiscal Year: $600,000

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 offering same products and customer care services as we do 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 Regina Trent® School Supplies Company, LLC, we conducted a thorough market survey and feasibility studies in order for us to be able to penetrate the available market and become the preferred choice for schools, teachers, students and parents in Los Angeles Unified – California.

We hired experts who have good understanding of the retailing and distribution 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 Los Angeles Unified – California.

In summary, Regina Trent® School Supplies Company, LLC will adopt the following sales and marketing approach to win customers over;

• Open our business in a grand style with a party for all.
• Introduce our business by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to small – scale school supplies retailers, schools, teachers, students, households and key stakeholders in Los Angeles Unified – California
• Ensure that we have a wide range of school supplies from different brands within and outside the United States at all times.
• Make use of attractive hand bills to create awareness business
• Position our signage / flexi banners at strategic places around Los Angeles Unified – California
• Create a loyalty plan that will enable us reward our regular customers
• Engage on roadshows within our neighborhood to create awareness for our school supplies business.

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

Despite the fact that our school supplies business is well structured and well located, we will still go ahead to intensify publicity for the business.

Regina Trent® School Supplies Company, LLC has a long-term plan of opening distribution channels all around the state of California which is why we will deliberately build our brand to be well accepted in Los Angeles Unified School District area before venturing out.

Here are the platforms we intend leveraging on to promote and advertise Regina Trent® School Supplies Company, LLC;

• Place adverts on community – based newspapers, radio and TV stations
• Encourage the use of word of mouth publicity from our loyal customers
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and other platforms to promote our business.
• Ensure that our we position our banners and billboards in strategic positions all around Los Angeles Unified – California
• Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas in and around schools within Los Angeles Unified school district areas
• Brand all our official cars and distribution vans/trucks and ensure that all our staff members wear our branded shirt or cap at regular intervals.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

Pricing is one of the key factors that gives leverage to distribution companies and retailers, it is normal for retailers to purchase products from distribution companies where they can goods at cheaper price. We will work towards ensuring that all our goods are distributed at highly competitive prices compared to what is obtainable in the United States of America.

We also have plans in place to discount our goods once in a while and also to reward our loyal customers from time to time.

• Payment Options

The payment policy adopted by Regina Trent® School Supplies Company, LLC 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 Regina Trent® School Supplies Company, LLC will make available to her clients;

• Payment via bank transfer
• Payment with cash
• Payment via credit cards
• Payment via POS machines
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment via check
• Payment via bank draft

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will enable our client make payment for our products 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 research and feasibility studies, we were able to come up with the following financial projections and costing as it relates to establishing a standard school supplies business in the United States of America;

• The total fee for registering the business in the United States of America – $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 Regina Trent® School Supplies Company, LLC 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.
• The cost for 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 warehouse facility in the total amount of $105,600.
• The total cost for warehouse facility 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 office tools, writing implements, stamps and stencils, stationery and loose-leaf paper, notebooks, binders, organizers and other related items) – $100,000
• The cost for store equipment (cash register, security, ventilation, signage) – $13,750
• The cost of purchase and installation of CCTVs – $5,000
• The cost for the purchase of furniture and gadgets (Computers, Printers, Telephone, TVs, Sound System, tables and chairs et al) – $4,000.
• The cost for the purchase of distribution vans / trucks – $25,000
• The cost of launching a website – $600
• The cost for our opening party – $7,000
• Miscellaneous – $10,000

We would need an estimate of $350,000 to successfully set up our school supplies business in Los Angeles Unified – California.

Generating Funds/Startup Capital for Regina Trent® School Supplies Company, LLC

Regina Trent® School Supplies Company, LLC is a private business that is solely owned and financed by Regina Trent and her immediate family members. They do not intend to welcome any external business partner which is why she 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 $100,000 (Personal savings $80,000 and soft loan from family members $10,000) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $250,000 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

The future of a business lies in the number of loyal customers that they have, the capacity and competence of their employees, their investment strategy and business structure. If all of these factors are missing from a business (company), then it won’t be too long before the business close shop.

One of our major goals of starting Regina Trent® School Supplies Company, LLC is to build a business that will survive off its own cash flow without injecting finance from external sources once the business is officially running. We know that one of the ways of gaining approval and winning customers over is to distribute our school supplies a little bit cheaper than what is obtainable in the market and we are prepared to survive on lower profit margin for a while.

Regina Trent® School Supplies Company, LLC 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 we diligently put in place all that is stated above, 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 warehouse facility and remodeling the facility: 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 Promotional Materials: In Progress
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Purchase of furniture, racks, shelves, computers, electronic appliances, office appliances and CCTV: In progress
• Purchase of distribution vans: Completed
• 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
• Opening party/launching party planning: In Progress
• Compilation of our list of products that will be distribute: Completed
• Establishing business relationship with school supplies manufacturing companies within and outside of the United States of America: In Progress

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By Phil Frost

How To Start a Student-Run School Supply Store

Starting a school store is about more than just selling merch and school supplies. A school store is a unique opportunity to teach students a variety of useful life skills, like entrepreneurship, financial management, customer service, time management, team building, and more. School stores can also bring in much needed revenues for cash-strapped schools that need basic supplies or want to add more enrichment activities for students. At GEDDES , we’ve been helping schools stay well stocked since 1924, so we have some pretty extensive experience with successful school stores. In this post, we’ll give our top tips for starting a student-run school supply store.

Incorporate the Store Into an Appropriate Class

One of the best ways to start a school store is to build it into the curriculum of a relevant class. This is easiest at the high school level, where classes related to business, accounting, and entrepreneurship can easily incorporate the school store as a long-term lesson. High school administrators may even decide to create an elective course just for students who want to help with the school store. However, even in middle and elementary school, math teachers can use a school store to reinforce math concepts and introduce new ones. By linking the school store to an existing class, there will always be a teacher and students to operate the store and it won’t need to be re-planned each year.

Involve Students in Every Step

While the school store will need an adult to keep an eye on everything, have the final word on disagreements, and make sure the store is operating smoothly, it’s still extremely important to involve students in every step of the school store planning and operations. When students are involved from step 1, they feel a stronger connection to the outcome and are more motivated to help.

Create a School Store Plan & Propose it to Administrators

The first step in starting a student-run school store is to get approval from the school’s administration. They’ll have to sign off on things like an initial budget, location, and operating hours, so getting their official buy-in in the beginning is important. Have the students involved in the store’s planning to draw up a business plan for the store. This is a great way to teach students in a business-related class about how business plans work and how to format one. Once the plan is ready, schedule a formal meeting with school administrators and let students present the business plan.

Create a Brand Kit

Now that administration has approved your store, you’ll need to create brand kit materials using the school logo to use for merch and promotional materials. This is a perfect opportunity to have a school-wide art contest, allowing students to enter their ideas for promotional materials and advertisements and then vote for the best ones. Once students have chosen the most popular ad designs, have students from a graphic design or computer class add the school logo to merchandise, brand kit materials, and promotional materials, then coordinate printing.

Set Up Financial Management Software

In the past, all school store financial transactions were kept up with a paper ledger, requiring students to write down each and every transaction by hand. While some schools may still use this method, most are now transitioning to financial management software. Intuit offers free financial literacy programs for high school students that include free access to some of their programs, including Quickbooks and MailChimp. Get students in accounting-related classes to set up Quickbooks for the school store and handle the account reconciliation each month. Students in marketing-related classes can help setup programs like MailChimp to promote the store to students, staff, parents, administrators, and other interested parties. These hands-on projects are much more likely to stick with the students over textbook reading assignments and lectures.

Hire Store Staff

The store will need to be staffed during its operating hours, and preferably that staff will always include at least one student. Some high school students may be able to run the store independently, while lower-level students will probably need an adult’s assistance, especially with handling payments. This is a great time to have students create resumes and really apply for the different store positions. Post a job application for the needed staff on the school website, in the school newsletter, using flyers posted around the school, or any other way that will reach students. Once the application period closes, conduct real interviews with the student applicants. This real-world experience will be invaluable when they embark out on their own and start applying for jobs as an adult.

Select Merchandise

This is another step where student input is critical. Merchandise in the typical school store includes clothing with the school’s logo, school supplies , art supplies , novelty items , drinks, and snacks. Students will have the best insight on what their peers will want to buy, and allowing them to choose the merchandise that will be offered while keeping the budget in mind is great practice for both their personal lives and upcoming careers. Once they’ve chosen what they want to offer in the store, let them help with the ordering process, including monitoring the shipments and checking that everything was included in the deliveries. Once the school store merchandise has all arrived, have students price the items based on a set formula using the item’s cost and create a spreadsheet with the item pricing information.

Promote the Store

Now that all the prep work has been laid, it’s time to let everyone know that the store will soon be open. Use the promotional materials that the students voted on during the art contest to advertise the new school store with flyers, emails, social media posts, posts on the school website, letters mailed to student homes and local businesses, and more. This is another step where graphic design and computer students can really help out. Don’t forget to take advantage of Intuit’s free access to MailChimp if you signed up for their free financial literacy courses.

It’s Opening Day!

Make opening day a big deal with special deals and lots of fanfare to drum up enthusiasm for the new store. Give away school-branded clothing to spread school spirit, have drawings for door prizes, or even do a raffle for a larger store item. Make sure the store’s operating hours are clearly posted so students and staff will know when they can visit, and solicit student feedback on the new store and merchandise.

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Starting Your Own School Supplies Store: A Step-by-Step Guide

Starting your own school supplies store can be a rewarding business venture, especially if you are located near schools, colleges, or universities. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:

Step 1: Market Research and Business Plan

• Identify your target audience: students, parents, teachers, and educational institutions.
• Analyze your competitors, their products, pricing, and customer service.
• Understand the demand for school supplies in your area.
• Outline your business goals, target market, and product offerings.
• Define your pricing strategy and financial projections.
• Plan your marketing and sales strategies.
• Include a breakdown of your startup costs, ongoing expenses, and potential funding sources.

Step 2: Choose Your Business Structure

• Decide on a Legal Structure : Options include sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), or corporation.
• Register Your Business Name : Ensure it is unique and reflects your brand.
• Obtain Necessary Licenses and Permits : Check local regulations for required business licenses, permits, and tax registrations.

Step 3: Find a Suitable Location

• Look for high-traffic areas near schools, shopping centers, or residential neighborhoods.
• Ensure the location is accessible, visible, and has adequate parking.
• Lease or Purchase a Space : Consider the cost, size, and layout of the space to accommodate your inventory and customers.

Step 4: Source Your Inventory

• Research wholesalers, manufacturers, and distributors who offer school supplies at competitive prices.
• Build relationships with suppliers to negotiate better terms and discounts.
• Stock essential items like notebooks, pens, pencils, backpacks, calculators, and art supplies.
• Consider offering niche products like eco-friendly supplies, customized stationery, or unique items that differentiate your store.

Step 5: Set Up Your Store

• Create an inviting and organized store layout with clearly labeled sections.
• Invest in display shelves, counters, and storage solutions.
• Choose a POS system to manage sales, track inventory, and process payments efficiently.

Step 6: Develop an Online Presence

• Build an e-commerce website to sell products online and reach a wider audience.
• Include features like product listings, a shopping cart, and secure payment options.
• Use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to promote your products, share offers, and engage with customers.

Step 7: Market Your Store

• Offer discounts, promotions, or bundle deals during back-to-school seasons.
• Distribute flyers, use local advertising, or partner with nearby schools and educational institutions.
• Implement a loyalty program to reward repeat customers.
• Provide excellent customer service to build a positive reputation and attract word-of-mouth referrals.

Step 8: Manage Operations and Finances

• Keep track of stock levels to avoid overstocking or running out of popular items.
• Regularly analyze sales data to adjust your inventory strategy.
• Use accounting software to manage expenses, track sales, and handle taxes.
• Maintain a budget and monitor your cash flow regularly to ensure financial stability.

Step 9: Evaluate and Expand

• Continuously evaluate sales, customer feedback, and market trends to make informed business decisions.
• If successful, consider expanding to new locations, adding new product lines, or offering additional services (e.g., printing or copying services).

Step 10: Stay Compliant and Adapt

• Keep up with changes in local business laws, tax regulations, and consumer rights to remain compliant.
• Stay flexible and be ready to adapt to changing market demands, customer preferences, or new competitors.

General Tips

• Focus on Quality and Variety : Offering quality products and a wide variety will attract and retain customers.
• Build Strong Relationships : Collaborate with schools, parent-teacher associations, and local businesses to create partnerships and generate more business.

Boost your school supplies shop with our solutions

Boosting your shop through a competitive quality product based on up-to-date European standards, is a major step to success. Our exceptionally trained personnel with expertise and experience could transform your ideas into vivid solutions. If that’s what you are looking for, then you’re in the right place! Move forward and visit the  Markakos S.A. website  for more information and suggestions on starting your own school supplies shop.

Did you like our article “Starting Your Own School Supplies Store: A Step-by-Step Guide”?

Read more advice about design and construction for your company  at the Markakos S.A. blog .

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