New tile shop

[JIMBOB187]

Because I have delusions of grandeur or am quite ambitious, one of the two, I am looking into opening a tile shop any advice on suppliers, margins in fact any advice at all greatly appreciated.

Regards Jim

[Daveyboy]

Hi Jim, nothing wrong with having ambition, without it we'd still be in the stone age! Can't give you any specific advice but maybe some general...

What is the county competition - how many shops are there in your county. Check out those (in a neighbouring county so as not to make them think you will be in competition) who have a similar economic/populace base to the area you plan to set up your shop. If they're struggling, find out why and whether you can overcome their problems.
What is the local competition - too many shops already will mean meagre pickings unless you're going into a niche market or undercutting everyone else.
How big is your customer base - setting up a shop in a sparsely populated area means few customers and meagre pickings.
Where to have your shop - how many potential customers pass your shop frontage - on foot, car, bus, etc. If people can't easily see the shop then you will need to invest more in advertising.
How accessible is your shop - you will need ample customer parking in front/behind as cusomer won't be interested in buying from you if they have to carry boxes to their cars a long distance. Also your suppliers will need good access.
What are your combined overheads - you need to know what your overhead monthly outgoings (business rates, rent, paye, insurance, electric, etc) are to enable you to determine the minimum sales you must make to break even. This will determine how likely the business will succeed.
Advertising - This will depend on the factors above but you will have to get out and about to sell yourself.
Internet trading - Consider setting up an internet tile shop as well, to boost your shop income.
Staffing. You need to have people who know the tile business or are prepared to learn it fast. It's no good having someone who can't/isn't prepared to learn as you will quickly loose custom.
Tilers - This is the right place to find tilers!

Hope this is of some use...

[JIMBOB187]

Cheers for that mate.

I would stick the wife in the shop she knows the business inside out as I talk about it most of the time, and of course I could do the fitting if I have the time. We have a Topps and two independants but if I was worried about competition I wouldnt have become a tiler(about 14 in my little town). Good point about overheads will find out the rates and lease costs tomorrow. Any info on suppliers or niche markets would help, don't really want to sell the dross and compete with Topps but maybe an even spread across the market and hopefully products others don't sell.

[LM Ceramics]

good luck jimbob i know your an ambitious person

[garythetiler]

good luck mate
you have to choose tiles that will work in your catchment area there no point stocking sicis mosaic if you live in a poorer area and vice versa bumpy white might not sell well if you are in a high end area

[Dave]

Also if you haven't got a CTD in your area they can send a merchandiser out to sort you with displays of there tiles....just a thought....

[JIMBOB187]

Nice one Dave.

[whitebeam]

What about a franchise if there is one available, Maybe an option

[deanotile]

:: Johnson Tiles - Ceramic Tile Manufacturer

Waxman Ceramic Tiles Ltd.

Ceramic Wall and Floor Tiles

British Ceramic Tile

CTD | home

Fired Earth Designs hand made ceramic tile artwork

Limestone tiles,Marble,Granite,Travertine,Sandstone,polished Porcelain

Capitol Tile Supplies Ltd in Coventry, http://www.capital-tiles.com

House of Mosaics - First For Mosaics : Glass, Ceramic, Wood, Mother of Pearl, Leather, Marble and Mirror

cravendunnill home page ceramic tiles tile distributor

stone tiles - natural stone flooring - jerusalem stone tiles

Taylor Tiles

http://www.wallsandfloors.co.uk/


Just a couple to get you started and you can find a shed load more on the TTA web site hope this helps and can I have a discount

[CLAYS TILES]

good luck jimbob

[365drills]

Let me know if you want to stock accessories as well as tiles. We provide a shop deal including display stands etc for retail outlet.

Its a full package.

[Fred]

Good luck mate......................

[pjtiler]

your picking a really bad time to set up a new tile shop bud
all the big DIY shed are dropping there prices as are the established the tile shops
i wish you luck

[a1tiler]

yes good luck to you, it`s a tough climate just now

[grumpygrouter]

Good luck Jimbob. You seriously need to prepare a proper business plan. Take advice from your local enterprise company, they will even help you with your business plan if they are any good.

[JIMBOB187]

Cheers folks, to be honest when I started this business the climate was not very good but I am too busy now, several long term contracts as mentioned in previous posts and currently two trainees and one quualified tiler, he who dares an all that.

My local enterprise agency are useless Grumps, they just want a signature on a form so they get funding(used to do the job myself). I will keep researching and let you know what I decide and if I do go for it. Like all good ideas they sound good but on papaer it might not be feasible, especially as I would be borrowing capital to start, therefore repayments, interest etc.

[monty]

Good luck whatever you do mate..

[pjtiler]

a bathroom and tile showroom might be a better idea
2 strings to your bow and all that

[365drills]

We can give you a free display board worth £60....

Seriously though if you do decide to take the plunge then good luck from us. Its hard work when you work for yourself. Long hours. When I started a lot of people advised caution. The vibe we are getting at the moment is that a lot of people will divert money to home improvement big ticket items like kitchens and bathrooms instead of moving, or even going on holiday. They will improve - not move.



The dream of a free shop display was just too overpowering. And thats what tipped the balance for JimBob.

[JIMBOB187]

I agree totally I enjoy being self employed as it is my choice to put the hours in if I want to, at the minute I am choosing to as I hate turning work away, I would definetly stock your products asd I have used them before and they are excellent. I will contact you if the further expansion of my world domination plan goes ahead.