Ray_li

Im looking in to the idea of opening a shop selling Gadgets and Big Boys Toys (bit like The Gadget 5hop). But the the only problem im having is finding someone that would supply these gadgets and toys to me at a trade price.
Does anyone have any contacts or ideas?

Thank you

Ray

The Zohan

Try here as a starting point.

Not sure how/where you are gonna market yourself, a lot do through FHM and such like, Website is a must as most 'gadget blokes' are PC lit'

http://www.bl.uk/services/information/toysindu.html

boomer

Ray,

there is a similar shop in the Touchwood centre at Solihull called M-SX. Maybe take a look for ideas, or even see if you can get into a partnership or franchise (i think that they may be part of a small chain).

mb

Ray_li

Paul Habgood- thanks for the website i'll have a good read of it later.

Boomer-im gonna have a look next week.
Would really like to know where or who supplies the shops with the gadgets.

Ray_li

The Gadget Shop wont franchise, which is a bummer

boomer

Ray,

M-SX is at the John Lewis end of Touchwood, but there is also "The Bug" at the far end that sells things at the cheaper end of the "gadget spectrum".

If you are serious, and not on M-SX's patch , then i would suggest that you have a chat with the owner as to the pros and cons of setting up a gadget shop.

mb

Ray_li

BOOMER- Good thinking Batmant !!! i think i will do that. i wouldnt make a move on someone elses patch. it not like me Well maybe his misses if she was nice only joking.

Ray

SlowBoy

iTrader: (1)

If you've got loads of money to invest in this then perhaps try international trade fairs. There must be a few of these going on each year in various countries where suppliers of different products gather under one roof. You then get to see everything that's available and meet the suppliers direct. Stuff like this tends to be seasonal, ie certain cities get very busy for one month of the year when lots of these fairs take place.

How about starting with somewhere like Taiwan or China, and checking with their equivalent of the Dti. Cut out the middle man, import the stuff yourself, and perhaps wholesale if you have the cash to support this. Good luck.

mook

I'm setting myself up in business again, and have gone with a limited company. It's a bit of paperwork to set up and you do need to send off your accounts once a year, but you get quite a few tax breaks over being a sole trader or a partnership. Also, having a limited company behind you will make it much easier to get trade accounts, it's kind of proof of your 'validity' in suppliers eyes. Not the greatest amount of help, but hopefully a little