We open a souvenir shop from scratch. Own business: opening a souvenir shop

Encyclopedic reference: souvenir shop - commercial enterprise specializing in sale of souvenirs, gifts, postcards, original interior items and household items.

Despite the fact that postcards, souvenirs, gift wrapping and interior decorations are not among the basic goods, they are in steady demand. If you decide to try your hand at developing your own business and, being a creative person, are looking for something to your liking, try opening a gift shop.

Step by step to growing sales of souvenirs

Step one: choose the format

The variety of souvenir products is so great that, before opening your own souvenir shop, you need to decide on the specialization. You can focus on selling exclusive products and VIP gifts - this niche is almost empty. However, keep in mind that this will require an impressive investment.

Counting how much it costs to open a gift shop, looking for a quick and inexpensive start? Take your pick: an ethnographic souvenir shop (for example, products from India, China, Thailand or Turkey), a small postcard shop, or a sale of products self made.

Step two: preparing the legal and material base

The easiest way is to register an individual entrepreneur. So you will save time on paperwork and will be able to keep tax records according to a simplified scheme. Since you are going to retail, take care of buying and registering a cash register.

As for the premises, the most budgetary (from the point of view of start) option is to rent a small area in mall... Seats on the ground floor are suitable for you, in this case, even at first you will have a good customer flow. Trade will go worse on the second, and on the third there is no point in becoming at all - no matter how attractively low the rent may seem, you will not recoup it. You can also look for a separate room for rent - it will have more room for the implementation of design ideas. This option is good if you plan to introduce a fundamentally new category of goods to the market (for example, no one in the city offered souvenirs from India before you).

To organize the retail space, you will need racks, showcases, stands and other equipment. To save money, you can purchase used equipment or make some of the items yourself - this will be quite in the format of your store.

Step three: we form an assortment

The easiest way to start selling souvenirs is to purchase goods from a wholesale warehouse. To do this, you need to devote a little time to monitoring the market. You should be looking for reliable suppliers who ensure uninterrupted supply and maintain a wide range of products at all times.

If your choice is the sale of original ethnographic products, please search foreign manufacturers or wholesale suppliers abroad. It is good if you find the opportunity to go to buy goods on your own - this will allow you to offer goods that no one else in the city has at a very attractive price, already taking into account a good margin.

Another option is to start making goods for your store in person, organize a small workshop for the production of souvenirs, or offer to exhibit the work of people who are engaged in needlework.

Be that as it may, the assortment needs to be dealt with constantly. After 2-3 months of trading, the positions that are selling the best and should be constantly available will stand out. However, you often have new items, otherwise regular customers in search of something new will soon switch to another gift store.

Where can I get the money?

Most of the market participants started with their own money - no big start-up investments are required. The most voluminous items of expenditure are rent and purchase of goods. At good start(it is best to start work during the holidays) your souvenir shop will pay off in 3-6 months, maximum - in 1 year.

Underwater rocks

Please note that trade in gifts and souvenirs is highly seasonal - there are almost no sales during the "low" period. In addition, this type of business depends on the general welfare of society - during economic downturns, the demand for souvenirs drops sharply.

Pay attention to advertising - there will be no customer flow without it. In addition, atmosphere is important for a gift shop. Think carefully about the interior - not necessarily expensive, but certainly stylish. Make branded business cards, packages, price tags.

Summing up

Souvenir trade can become not only a business, but also an exciting hobby... It is relatively easy to start a business in this niche, you can do without large investments. Is the gift shop profitable? This is a great option for those who want to do what they love and want to gain financial independence. However, don't expect colossal profits.

The advantage of this type of business is the minimum start-up investment. You can start with buying souvenirs at wholesale stores and gradually move on to trade in copyright works. If you live in a city with a lot of tourists, use this factor.

Of course, souvenirs, postcards and other nice little things that are sold by souvenir shops are not essential items.

But at the same time, they are in steady demand, especially if they are located in places where there are a lot of tourists. If you want to bring joy to people while making a profit, try opening a gift shop.

Choice of specialization

First, decide on the direction in which you will develop. The store must have a face. You cannot sell cheap magnets and works of authorship in one room. Stop at one thing - the selection of souvenirs is huge. If you are interested in the possibility of starting a business with minimal financial investment, souvenirs from India, China or Thailand are suitable for you. The ethnic theme is always of interest to buyers. Another one, in our opinion, good option- handmade goods, so loved by tourists.

Legal and financial issues

The most suitable form of management for this type of business is individual entrepreneurship. By issuing an individual entrepreneur, you will save time and be able to pay taxes using a simplified system. In retail, you need to purchase a cash register.

At the start, the most successful place can be considered the premises on the first floor of the shopping center. In this case, the flow of buyers will be constant and you will have every chance to make your business successful. The premises located on the second and, moreover, the third floor can hardly be considered a good choice, even if the rent is lower.

You can find a separate room for rent. In your room it will be possible to embody your design ideas... If you are going to trade in souvenir products new to your city, you need a separate premises.

To equip the store you will need:

• racks;
• showcases;
• stands, etc.

You can save money by buying used equipment, or make it yourself, if possible.

Range

The easiest way to start a business is to buy souvenirs from wholesalers. You need to look around the souvenir market and determine which product is selling successfully. Choose reliable suppliers with a rich assortment. If you decide to sell ethnically souvenirs, look for foreign manufacturers or wholesalers. It is optimal to go on your own for goods, so you can choose exclusive souvenirs at competitive prices that will be in demand.

Creative option - personally make goods for your store, find craftsmen who make interesting things, organize a workshop for the production of souvenirs. One way or another, the selection of the assortment must be constantly paid attention. A few months after the start of work, you will already be able to determine which souvenirs are selling better than others, they should be in stock all the time. But it is also necessary to update the assortment so that buyers are interested in visiting your store.

Financial investments and prospects

Most businessmen in this market started a business without attracting other people's funds - large financial investments are not required. The most serious expense items are renting premises and purchasing goods. If you time the opening of a business for the holidays, it will pay off pretty quickly - in three months, the most in half a year.

It is necessary to understand that the souvenir trade is highly prone to seasonal fluctuations - sales almost stop during the off-season. Another important factor is the well-being of people, which is understandable. People start thinking about unnecessary little things when basic material problems are solved.

We can say that the souvenir business does not promise huge profits, but if you enjoy finding and selling these cute and funny knick-knacks, you can turn your hobby into a source of income.

* Calculations are based on average data for Russia

1.Resume of the project

The goal of the project is to open a gift shop in the city of Taganrog for retail sale of souvenir products. This business plan has been drawn up in order to substantiate the effectiveness of the project. The business idea is to create a souvenir shop with a unique assortment of souvenir products, equally focused on both citizens and guests of the city. It will include handicrafts, designer interior and decor items, art objects, dishes, symbols, jewelry, textiles, accessories and much more. As a competitive advantage, it is supposed to abandon the "one supplier" policy and establish contacts with designers, artists and craftsmen city ​​and region in order to dominate the range of handicrafts.

The cost of the project for the opening of the store will amount to 2,078,000 rubles. Funds for the opening will be taken from personal savings without attracting borrowed funds. The payback period is 23 months. The preparatory period before the start of sales is 2 months.

2. Description of the industry and company

Today the market of gifts and souvenirs is a branched out industry with many directions, which belong to two main segments: advertising and souvenir and consumer. The first includes promotional gifts, business gifts, and VIP gifts related to the activities of companies. The consumer segment includes products demanded by customers in retail. V last years there is a trend of gradual failure in the market retail stores from cheap manufacturers (usually Chinese) in favor of domestic or expensive foreign ones. More and more players with their own production and clearly defined assortment offer are opening in the country, which helps them to conquer unoccupied niches. The main places where gifts are concentrated are large cities and tourist centers. A feature of the industry is that almost all groups of the population are consumers of gift products. The main demand for gift products is recorded on the eve of the holidays: New Year, Christmas, March 8, February 23, Valentine's Day. In principle, absolutely any items can act as gifts. However, from retail sales, the goods sold imply originality and a “selling legend”: a store consultant must be able to interest the buyer with a gift and explain what exactly is unique to the item of purchase.

The purpose of this project is to open a gift shop in the city of Taganrog for the sale of souvenir products. Competitive advantage the store is expected to make a wide range of handmade goods, which will outnumber mass-produced goods. This implies the abandonment of the “one supplier” policy, which is common among ordinary souvenir shops, and the organization of active cooperation with designers, artists and craftsmen of the city of the region. The assortment of the store will include handicrafts, designer interior and decor items, art objects, tableware, symbols, jewelry, textiles, accessories and much more.

The store itself will be located in the Central District of the city of Taganrog, in the historical center, on a street with high traffic, a large number attractions and places of trade. The target audience of the project will be the townspeople wishing to purchase an unusual gift and guests of the city of various ages who decided to leave the memory of their visit to Taganrog. Taganrog, located on the shores of the Sea of ​​Azov, is a city with a developed tourist infrastructure, the city has highly developed cultural traditions (the heritage of A.P. Chekhov), which annually attracts tens of thousands of tourists to the city and contributes to an increase in sales of souvenirs.

Ready-made ideas for your business

For the store, a long-term lease of a retail space of 30 m 2 will be taken, repairs and finishing of the facade will be carried out, necessary equipment... The gift shop will have a daily opening hours from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. The work of the sales staff will be organized on a shift basis. At the initial stage, the store will have two salespeople. The work on organizing purchases, searching for new suppliers, and strategic business planning will be entrusted to the entrepreneur. The organizational and legal form of the store is an individual entrepreneur. The simplified tax system of 15% (income minus expenses) was chosen as the taxation system.

3.Description of goods

The souvenir products that will be presented in the store will relate to different types goods, including handicrafts, designer interior and decor items, art objects, tableware, symbols, costume jewelry, textiles, accessories and others (for more details on products and price ranges for the main product groups, see Table 1).

Table 1. List of products

The store will operate in the middle price segment (average check - 1000 rubles) and target a wide audience of buyers. Products will be purchased in small wholesale from local souvenir producers, and designer goods will also be purchased from urban artists and designers. They will be purchased as finished goods and their projects for transferring orders to small businesses. To prevent problems with the volatility of demand, the store's assortment will be replenished with themed goods for the New Year and spring holidays.

4.Sales and Marketing

The target audience of the project is not limited to any narrow category and is focused on people of different sex, age, social status... The concept of the store is based on the main requirement of modern, sophisticated customers - this is the originality of the gift. According to research by COMCON company in the field of consumer preferences of residents Russian cities original souvenirs (74%) make up the top three in popularity among gifts. They are followed by alcohol (72%) and stationery (69%). The opening of a souvenir shop is also indirectly promoted by a reduction in outbound tourism in favor of domestic tourism. According to the Federal Tourism Agency, at the end of 2014, the growth of domestic tourism was recorded by 30%. These trends dictate new economic realities: it is much cheaper for Russians to have a rest without leaving the country. This fact plays into the hands of both the development of the domestic infrastructure and the souvenir industry, since tourists are one of the most active buyers of souvenir products.

Today there are about 40 stationary stores in Taganrog, which position themselves as gift stores. However, in most cases it comes about clothes, leather goods, cosmetics, perfumes, etc. Souvenirs can be found in 14 shops. As you can see from Tab. 2, the format of stores and their assortment matrix can vary significantly. It is worth noting that only two shops have a wide range of local souvenirs and actively collaborate with local designers and artists. In other stores, souvenir products with the specifics of the city and the region are often limited to magnets, calendars and other products with prints and does not exceed 20%.

The largest number of competitors on the souvenir market of the city operates in the segment of the lower and middle price range. Their assortment is based on domestic and Chinese products. In the segment above the average, there are chain souvenir shops located in shopping centers, and shops with the most original views products (ethnic souvenirs, jewelry). These stores do not carry any specifics of Taganrog or the Don Territory. In addition, there are non-stationary trading points that open at warm season... The number of souvenirs offered in them is significantly lower, while the products are not unique and are designed for impulse purchases.

Table 2. Analysis of existing competitors

As the experience of competitors shows, the most effective format for trade in souvenirs is not trade through the counter barrier, but the presentation of goods by a “face” on the principle of self-service. In the souvenir shop planned for the opening, all products can be “touched” and “turned” before buying. A sales assistant who knows the assortment and history of each item will help you make the right choice. The main ways to promote on the market will be: printed handouts (leaflets, flyers, etc.), maintaining groups / accounts on social networks (Vkontakte, Faceebook), outdoor advertising (signboard).

5.Production plan

The location of the gift shop is the Central District of the city of Taganrog. The store will be located in the historic center of the city, on a high-traffic street with a large number of attractions and places of trade. The point of sale will be well visible, illuminated in the evening and at night. Car parking will be available for visitors to the store. The area of ​​the premises will be 30 sq. meters. For the renovation of the premises and facade work need 60 thousand rubles., 188 thousand rubles. - to equip the store with the necessary trade equipment. Table. 2 shows the main equipment costs.

Table 2. Equipment costs

To operate the store, you will need 2 full-time salesmen (see Table 3). There are no strict requirements for work experience, but experience in retail sales welcomed. The main criteria in the selection of personnel are sociability, the ability to work with people, responsibility, decency, benevolence, the desire to develop professionally. There will also be requirements for a good knowledge of the history of the Don Territory and the city of Taganrog, renowned fellow countrymen, since for the success of a business, all personnel must have a direct keen interest in history, art, and handicrafts. Staff work schedule - 2/2 shift.

Table 3. Staffing table and payroll

Considering the average store check in the amount of 1000 rubles, 120 buyers per month will be enough for the store to be profitable (4 buyers per day). The level of the threshold revenue, ensuring the break-even of the company, will be 120,000 rubles. The planned sales volume will be at the level of 20 clients per day, which will allow us to count on a net profit of 100,000 rubles. This business plan contains a relatively pessimistic development scenario, in which the sales target will be achieved in the 8th month of the project. The costs of the main period of the store's operation will include: rent (25 thousand rubles), wage sellers (52 thousand rubles with deductions), replenishment of the product range, transport costs, advertising, utilities, security services and more.

6.Organizational plan

The preparatory period of the project will be 2 months, which will be needed to go through the registration procedures, establish partnerships and establish contacts with suppliers of souvenirs (most of the contacts are already in place), staff recruitment, repair and equipment of the premises. Leadership responsibilities will be assigned to individual entrepreneur... He will be responsible for all organizational aspects of the business, negotiations with the landlord, provide control over the work of sellers, engage in strategic promotion of the company, purchase goods, and search for new supply channels. Responsibilities for the daily work of the store will be assigned to two sellers who will be involved in sales, consulting, and work with cash register machines.

7 financial plan

Investments in opening a gift shop will amount to 2,078,000 rubles. The funds for the opening will be taken from personal savings. The main items of investment costs are presented in Table. 4. The store's indicators for project revenue, fixed and variable costs and net profit are presented in Appendix 1. Conditions adopted in the calculations:

Average check for souvenir products in the amount of 1000 rubles;

Increase in salaries of employees by 20% for the 3rd year of the store's operation;

An increase in the number of shoppers over time due to the increasing popularity of the store.

Table 4. Investment costs

8.Evaluation of project effectiveness

The calculations made allow us to say that the project is commercially viable. Table. 5. reflects the main performance indicators.

Table 5. Indicators of project performance

9 risks and guarantees

Gift shops are a well-established type of retail trade. As the experience of Russian entrepreneurs shows, the success of a business largely depends on two main factors: the degree of uniqueness of the assortment and the entrepreneur's desire to invest in business development. The concept of this store will be based on these two postulates. An active position on the constant renewal of the assortment, surprise of the client, the search for new supply channels for unique handmade goods, as opposed to letting the business "take its own course" and cooperation with a limited number of suppliers are incorporated into the concept of the store. However, in the course of its activity, the store may face predictable and unpredictable external risks that can make it difficult for the store to operate and develop. Analysis of the main risks - in Table. 6.

Table 6. Assessment of project risks and measures to prevent their occurrence or their consequences

10.Applications

ANNEX 1

Key financial indicators of the project in a five-year perspective

Since souvenirs and gifts are an integral part of people's lives, many aspiring entrepreneurs are interested in how to open a gift shop and what is needed for this. The business itself would be just perfect if it were not for the huge number of factors that need to be taken into account - despite the fact that some of them can be taken into account without a separate study in general rather poorly (for example, consumer demand for certain fashionable toys and souvenirs) ... But fundamental changes in this area have occurred due to the rapid development of the Internet, so the idea can be considered as very promising.

Online or offline?

This is a key question for most people who are going to do this type of business. Both options have their advantages. For example, a traditional indoor store makes a more solid impression on many than a “virtual” one; moreover, one can count on the attention of the middle and older generation - people who do not actively use the Internet. However, premises have to be paid for, products have to be guarded, and costs increase significantly.

If you want to open an online gift shop, then you will spend significantly less money, and it will be easier to disseminate information about the product. The potential geography of activities is also increasing by an order of magnitude. True, there are also disadvantages: firstly, part of the target audience, which with the Internet “on you”, will be lost; secondly, you will have to think about how exactly to disseminate information in conditions of the dominance of information of all sorts; thirdly, buyers will not have the opportunity to see the product live, which is also important for many.

Finally, it is also possible combined options... The most common of them is when an online store is an addition to the traditional one and makes it possible to go to the site, view the assortment, select a product and place an order. True, the purchase itself is not made - instead, a message is received, which is processed by the manager or the seller, and the purchase is made out after talking with the client on the phone. An option is also possible when a full-fledged online store works with acceptance and payment, but this is much more complicated.

Do not be fooled by the illusion that an online store will be cheaper than a traditional one - the choice should be made primarily according to what target audience you are looking for and what form of working with clients is convenient for you personally.

Competitive advantages and options

The most notable drawback of networks is repetitive selection. Even a small store can compete on equal terms with them due to individuality. Therefore, the main difficulty when opening a gift shop is the choice of assortment. It will be necessary not only to conduct market research, but also to connect your own - or someone else's - creative opportunities. It is difficult to predict consumer demand.

In this area, it is difficult to give any advice, because there is no comrade in taste and color. But general trends can still be traced:

1. Suitable for middle-aged and older people decorative crafts in the traditional style, postcards, souvenirs without unnecessary challenge and outrageous appearance, and the like.
2. Young people appreciate bijouterie, comic and prank cards, provocative (sometimes "on the verge of a foul") figurines and figurines, mugs and other similar products with original pictures.
3. Children love toys that are fun and attractive, without being too aggressive or provocative. Everything cute, kind, associated with cartoon characters and games is a children's sphere.

It should also be noted that most buyers have a positive attitude towards gifts if they are made with their own hands. If you want to attract more people - think about how to open a handmade gift shop. But then, in addition, you will need to take care of finding craftsmen who will regularly and on time supply new products.

Personnel and equipment

The gift shop requires the following staff:

• director and general accountant (as for any enterprise;
• sales assistants (two are enough for a start;
• security guard (the work can be done by one of the sellers);
• courier (it is better to have a full-time courier even at the initial stage).

Special attention should be paid to the selection of sales consultants. In the store where people come to buy goods for the holiday, a festive mood should reign. It is perfectly created by sociable, positive-minded people who are ready to keep up a conversation and tell about the product in an exciting way. Ideal candidates are people with a background in animation or entertainment.

In addition to the standard cash register and security equipment, depending on the specifics of the work, you will need:

• open or glazed showcases - for figurines, jewelry, mugs, and so on;
• racks and stands - for postcards, magnets, posters and other printed materials;
• hooks and hangers - for clothes and accessories;
• lockers of various configurations - for storing stocks of products;
• pump - for balloons.

In any case, the composition of the equipment will depend on the specifics of the goods.

Start and initial costs

The traditional form of organizing this business is. If you wish, you can get by with a small room (about 15-20 square meters). Separately, it will be necessary to think over the issue of supply and storage of products, take care of reliable security. The registration procedure is general; you do not need to obtain any special permits. However, care should be taken to ensure that all products offered have quality certificates. If the goods are delivered from abroad, then the certificate must be of an international standard - otherwise, fines during verification cannot be avoided.

If you use the premises, then remember that it is necessary to obtain opinions and permits from the fire and sanitary-epidemiological services. Optimal layout taxation depends on where the products are supplied from:

• if these are handmade gifts, then with income taxation;
• if the goods are from suppliers - then the simplified tax system with taxation on the difference between income and expenses.

The premises itself should be located in places where representatives of the target audience are most often:

• It is best to sell gifts for children near a kindergarten or school.
• Gifts for young people will be in demand near any entertainment and shopping facilities.
• It makes sense to sell souvenirs for the middle and older generation near parks, cultural institutions and places of quiet recreation.

Of course, the more convenient the approach and entrance to the store, the more chances that random passers-by will come to buy, and it is much easier to attract new customers if the entrance to the store, posters and stands are visible from a crowded part of the street, and not from the courtyard.

The question of how to open a gift shop from scratch is of interest to many entrepreneurs, but one cannot do without start-up capital in this type of business. For a large Russian city, the amount of initial investment is from one and a half to two million rubles; in medium-sized cities, the costs may turn out to be less than a million, but the payback will be significantly lower. One-time start-up costs for a large city include:

• purchase of commercial equipment - up to 500 thousand;
• purchase of the first batch of goods - from 200 to 500 thousand, depending on the specifics;
• renovation of the premises - up to 200 thousand;
• advertising - about 100 thousand.

In addition, we must not forget about the monthly expenses:

• use of premises - from 100 thousand;
• salaries for employees - up to 100 thousand;
• advertising - about 5000;
• transportation and related costs - up to 5,000.

If the city is small, then a significant part of the amounts can be accurately divided in two. A well-advertised gift and souvenir shop with a fairly wide assortment pays for itself within a year big city and in about a year and a half - in an average city. Profit can be received at the level of 200 thousand monthly in a large city and up to 100 thousand - on average.

Perspectives

The gift shop must be developed, otherwise there will be no talk of any recoupment. There are a few possible ways development:

• traditional advertising aimed at a specific circle of buyers or a mass audience;
• online advertising distributed through social networks and thematic sites;
• cooperation with entertainment organizations, representation at public events;
• promotions and offers combined with word of mouth advertising;
• gifts and souvenirs to order, sale of themed products, for example, corporate or travel.

The gift shop can be recommended as a reliable project with great prospects, but it will not suit people without a creative approach and without any noticeable start-up capital. Since gifts are relevant to all people at different times, sales can be conducted all year round, and during national holidays, attendance will increase several times.

A large number of holidays, tourists, as well as numerous traditions are a fertile field for the development of business on souvenirs. A huge niche is occupied by industrial manufacturers of all sorts of standard gizmos, but nowadays unique handmade items are gaining more and more popularity, which are often a single copy or produced in such small quantities that it is difficult to find two identical ones. And who among the needlewomen does not dream that his hobby could bring quite an acceptable permanent income.

Features of this business

The organizational skills and abilities of its creator, the willingness to devote a little more time to this than a couple of hours on a weekend, and also bear the corresponding costs, are of great importance for the success of such a business.

Nevertheless, every year many begin to scale their production, choosing their own directions, defining the circle of consumers. What are the features of such a business, its attractiveness?

As main positive points the type of earnings under consideration can be called:

• minimum initial costs;
• no need for compilation (but it's better to calculate it all the same);
• the ability to form a convenient work schedule;
• Convenient planning of production and sales based on known periods of demand growth;
• you can only work at home.

Despite the fact that we are talking about a home business, if successful, the income from its implementation can be quite high. At the same time, it is not always necessary to go to the traditional market and trade in souvenirs from the stall; you can carry out the implementation through online sales (you can even create your own). Traditionally, such production is family character, family members of the founder are involved in the production, but it may also be that the organizer acts as an intermediary and sells products that are made by other craftsmen.

There is a series of recommendations, which should be considered before deciding to start such an activity. So, you need to decide on sources of materials for the manufacture of products, and here a regular store that carries out their retail sale is not suitable, since this will significantly increase the cost and will not ensure the stability of replenishment of certain product groups.

Choosing a direction as the basis for successful entrepreneurship

When forming the main idea and planning your business for the production of souvenirs at home, you need to have a clear idea of ​​the direction in which it will be implemented, its nuances, as well as consumers of souvenir products, the so-called target audience.

For example, various types of magnets or other items with images of historical landmarks are in demand exclusively in offline sales close to objects that are part of the usual excursion program and especially in summer period... And the peak of sales of love-themed souvenirs falls on February-March (due to the corresponding calendar holidays).

Thus, thoughtful and correct choice of business direction for the production and sale of souvenirs is the foundation of a successful future business. At the same time, it is not necessary to dwell on only one of the types of products, you can combine them, making several options for items united by a common theme, for example, calendar holidays.
On the eve of New Years, Valentine's Day, February 23rd or March 8th there is a lot of excitement in relation to souvenirs of the corresponding theme. These can be handmade soap sets, figured cookies, candy bouquets, etc. Proper design and correct presentation will add loyal customers and sales for the next significant dates. In addition, the manufacturer should prepare for the holidays in advance, having in the warehouse some stocks of both the product itself and the materials for its manufacture.

See the following video for souvenir options for various holidays:

A specific subcategory of this direction is goods Orthodox orientation, which are purchased exclusively for major holidays such as Easter, Christmas. In this case, it is not only the quality of performance that matters, but also the availability of the necessary religious knowledge so that the object really corresponds to the purpose of the acquisition.

A special segment on the market is occupied by tourist souvenirs that are associated with a specific area (city, region, country) or historical landmark. You need to be ready to compete with industrial manufacturers, because their products are cheaper and, accordingly, more accessible. In this case, uniqueness will matter. For example, souvenirs that reflect the craft widespread in the region (clay figurines, birch bark or wood products, lace, etc.) are very popular.

The production of souvenirs can be called an independent direction. sports topics... There is also a lot of competition with industrialists here, as fans prefer to shop in specialty stores, you need to rely on connoisseurs of individual items. At the same time, it is very important to take into account the specifics and limitations of this business, since it is easy to break the law. For example, unauthorized use of a registered team or club can lead to dire consequences. In this segment received wide use printing on T-shirts and mugs, making other goods with the image of sports heroes.

A huge niche of the market in question is works of authorship... Their distinguishing feature is not only high uniqueness, but also the corresponding price. Each souvenir within this trend is usually a work of art, which requires a high level of skill and creativity from the master. It can be original soap, candles, or objects in various techniques decoupage, wood and metal products, beads and glass. The choice of options is huge.
As a rule, women are the founders of the home souvenir business, but also men in recent times are not inferior to them, engaging in such types of crafts that are traditionally their prerogative (engraving, casting, etc.).

An example of making souvenir products for New Years holidays see the following video:

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Materials and tools for work

What are materials for making souvenirs to choose. The list is long. It can be:

• wood;
• beads, beads or natural stones;
• glass or ceramics;
• gypsum, clay (including polymer);
• metal;
• fabric, yarn;
• paper;
• coffee beans;
• candy, etc.

The choice of a specific material depends on the direction and name of the souvenir products intended for production. Often, for the production of business souvenirs, a ready-made base is purchased in advance, which is further refined to give it individuality: a drawing is applied or a photo is printed, it improves appearance in other ways.

In addition, for work is used optional equipment and tools, the set of which also depends on the type of product and manufacturing methods. So, for example, to apply a picture, you may need to purchase a special printer, machine or press, which will require significant financial investments, both at the initial stage and subsequently, when the tools are “morally” or physically obsolete.

Selling your own products

An important question is about product sales, and there are several options here. In the case of an increase in the scale of production, attracting other craftsmen to participate in the business, as well as taking into account the direction and souvenir theme, it is advisable opening of a small souvenir shop that can be positioned in the place where they will use most in demand(in a large supermarket or shopping center, not far from attractions, sports facilities, depending on the nature of the product). If there is no such opportunity, which often happens at the starting stage, then you can negotiate with existing points of sale to supply them "for sale" of souvenirs. All of these implementation methods involve offline sales.

With the growth of sales of goods through the Internet one cannot but consider this option to promote their products. To begin with, you can use existing Internet resources, which, in essence, are electronic trading platforms for goods. different masters... Opening your page on such a site will allow for a small fee to advertise your products, contact potential buyers, use various tools to attract them (master classes, contests). In addition, such sites send offers, hold various exhibitions, which allows craftsmen to implement marketing activities at low cost.

You can create your own own store on the Internet ... This is a great option when the business has been developing steadily for a long time, offering a wide range of products. The presence of such a resource allows you to attract not only ordinary consumers, but also corporate buyers who need to make sure of the seriousness and high level performer. Making souvenirs with corporate symbols is a rather large and well-paid order. To achieve this goal, you need to be ready to pay for the services of specialists in creating sites and filling them with information.

And if there is no money for an individual resource or placement on specialized sites, you can promote your souvenir products using social networks , create new pages or using your usual ones (in contact, classmates, etc.).

Basic rules of doing business

It doesn't matter who the buyers of souvenirs are, this business is carried out according to certain rules contributing to its development. The main ones are:

1. Openness and publicity. There is no need to hide the production of souvenir products from others, you need to actively promote it, I participate in exhibitions, give master classes, promise with potential buyers at various forums, it does not matter which way of selling products is chosen;
2. Particular attention is paid to the way of serving. Sometimes the packaging of a souvenir matters more than the souvenir itself. You cannot skimp on her, as well as on additional trifles. By sending the work to the customer, you can put a small additional gift. This will make the buyer get pleasant emotions and make him contact again;
3. Development and improvement. You must always improve your skill level, develop a direction, increase the range. This is facilitated by the acquisition of new skills, equipment, work with new materials.

Registration of business activities

And, of course, we must not forget about the legal restrictions on doing business. Whether to formalize your business, whether to register it depends on the format and scale.

If, in fact, handicraft making of souvenirs brings a small side income, for example, seasonally, when products are made for specific holidays and in small quantities, then there is no expediency in registering business activities. However, we must not forget that obligation to pay nobody canceled. Therefore, in order to avoid problems with the fiscal authorities, tax discipline should be observed, since there is a risk of being brought to administrative responsibility.

If souvenir business gives a constant and stable income, it is better to arrange it in the manner prescribed by law. It could be. The form of ownership is most appropriate for the implementation of a business by one person, but if several masters are united, we will be the most suitable.

Business registration has many positive aspects... For example, many suppliers of materials for the production of souvenirs do not have retail outlets and therefore only work with entrepreneurs. And if this is the main occupation for a citizen, when making the appropriate deductions, the periods of time during which he carried out the business in question will be counted in his seniority. But when you become an official entrepreneur, you need to be ready to comply with the requirements of the legislation on retail sales and consumer protection.

To make a decision on the form of doing business - as an entrepreneur or without such status, the question of its profitability is important. To produce accurate calculation and all the costs are difficult enough. All aspects of doing business are important here: from the name of products, materials to the way they are sold.

Income will be the profit received after deducting from the proceeds all costs associated with production, sale, and taxes. In addition, it is necessary to calculate the payback of the equipment, since acquisition costs are also recognized.

Nevertheless, even at very high costs, there will be profit, otherwise it is not worth doing this business. The average serious costs (for equipment, training, etc.) is 1 year, but this is an approximate period, since everything depends on the success of the activity (orders, sales volumes, etc.).