Business Idea. Gauging interest

[Sparky]

My little company is brainstorming and throwing a few ideas around. One thing considering is opening a store front. In say a mall or busy shopping area. The idea is to sell lighting with more and better options than say Home Depot. Maybe higher end stuff. Like for instance.

Chandeliers
Ceiling fans
Landscape lighting
Newer LED technology

My question is what you would look for in a lighting store? What type of products? What type of service. We would also be able to order any specialty items with maybe computerized catalogs.

Lots to think of still. Like what types of manufacturers would we stock? Do we do internet sales? What size of store to start? Getting distributorships and many others. This is a long way off from becoming reality.

P.S. We have licensed electricians available to help install your new fixtures.

[SideShow Bob]

There are already several "High end Lighting & fixture" stores in the Metro area, you may want to see what your competition is first.........

[Sparky]

I will crush them

[SideShow Bob]

I will crush them

You may, by making it convenient in a mall, most of the places I have seen require a dedicated trip...

[argonstrom]

I might be interested in providing custom engraving.

[pickenup]

Billion dollar companies started with someone's.....idea.

That being said, renting store space costs a LOT. Are you clearing that kind of money? (rhetorical question)

Then there is advertising.
They CAN'T show, if they don't know. Good advertising can cost MORE than the rent.

You would have to carry items other than what Home Depot or Lowe's carries. Because they buy stock by the thousands, they can "retail" it out for less than YOU can buy it wholesale.

Supplying custom builders might be something you could to look into. I imagine that is a cut throat business.

Wouldn't even consider NOT selling on the internet.

Lighting isn't something people go shopping for every week, and in today's economy.........

[bogie]

I let my better half pick out the lighting. She likes Lamps Plus. You should check that place out as I think it does fairly well. At least it's been busy every time I've been there. They also have an online store.

[TriggerHappy]

I let my better half pick out the lighting. She likes Lamps Plus. You should check that place out as I think it does fairly well. At least it's been busy every time I've been there. They also have an online store.

Women, shoppings, malls--lighting, sparky I think you may be onto something here.

[Irving]

Make sure you offer consulting, or at least knowledgeable people who can help the clueless.

[BPTactical]

Billion dollar companies started with someone's.....idea.
.

But according to the Pres, "you didn't build that"...........

I would gauge the need. Housing and disposable income is still depressed and nice lighting is usually an option rather than a need.