Student Store Best Practices
Most schools have student stores, but, often, the student council is unaware of how to use this project effectively. For example, where is your student store located? If it’s far away from the main traffic of students, your store probably isn’t having much success.
Making your store work for you (rather than you working for the store) can be accomplished by:
* Finding an appropriate location for the store
* Becoming organized
* Knowing the needs of the student body
Location
Often, a student store doubles as a student council office and serves as the center of student activities. Students should be able to come to this location when they need to buy school supplies, make phone calls, or purchase tickets for activities. It should be the center for fundraising drives, lost and found, and general information about student activities.
Obviously, the locale for this center should be accessible and large enough for a group of students to congregate. Try to put the store in an area where students are already used to gathering.
Organization
For maximum results, a student store should be open before school, during lunch, and for a short time after school. This means many students will be needed to take turns running the store.
At some schools, the major responsibility of the student store is given to one of the student council officers, the Commissioner of Store Sales. This person has the following duties:
* Develops and displays a price list
* Sets up a monthly calendar for store workers
* Organizes, stocks, and displays merchandise
* Records stock inventory
* Supervises sales
* Regulates items sold by clubs
* Oversees sale of activity cards, annuals, and tickets for student council functions
The number of workers employed at the store depends on the size of the school. You should appoint a committee of students who are willing to work in the store on a regular basis. Be sure to post the schedule for these workers ahead of time in case there is a conflict of interest.
It’s important for the sellers to be aware of prices and items sold in the store. Nothing slows down an operation more than a clerk who is unfamiliar with the merchandise.
Display items so they are easy to reach. Shelves should be marked clearly with the name of the item and its price. This gives the items a permanent location in the store, which makes the clerk’s job easier.
Student Needs
The size of the student body determines what kind of a store will be established. Even though a small school will have to operate on a small scale, a large variety of items can still be offered.
Before deciding what items should be sold in the store, consider the following:
* Look at the space available in your store. This will help you determine how many supplies you can order and keep in stock.
* Talk about your operation with your principal. Discuss the scope and limits of the store you have in mind.
* Determine how close you are to wholesale dealers. A problem can develop if you are responsible for picking up merchandise.
* Make sure there is a need for the merchandise you stock and that it’s at a price students can afford.
Nearly every school has different needs, but there are a few basic items common to all student stores, such as:
1. Pencils
Shop around for pencils in your school’s colors. It’s even possible to have the school’s name or mascot engraved on pencils.
2. Report folders
Keep in mind that students have different needs and likes and stock a variety of folders.
3. Notebooks and folders
These items can also be purchased in school colors. Contact a notebook manufacturer and see if it’s within your price range to imprint your school name and mascot on the notebooks.
4. Erasers
Aside from regular pencil erasers, you may want to stock erasers for typing classes.
5. Paper
Buy ruled notebook paper in large quantities, and then package it in smaller (50 to 100 pages) portions.
6. Book covers
Once again, this item can be purchased in school colors. Take note of the role the student store can assume in promoting school spirit.
Specialty items may be considered for a student store, such as T-shirts, sweatshirts, school banners, and pep items (ribbons, buttons, and flags).
Student Store Rules
Remember to whom you are serving. Keep in mind the needs of the students when deciding on merchandise. Give the students good service. If the store is especially busy, don’t hesitate to open more than one line.
Be organized. Open the store on time and know what is in stock.
Limit the number of students allowed in the store. Too many people in a small store causes confusion and may lead to shoplifting. Only store workers should be allowed behind the selling counters.
Buy merchandise in bulk. Usually you can get a better price if items are ordered in large quantities. Compare prices – some companies offer special deals if you buy from them exclusively.
Don’t overcharge. Remember you are providing a service to the student body. It’s easy to set a fair price and still make a profit.
Concessions
Food is another area to be considered when setting up a student store. Money made by selling snacks often keeps the student store from going into debt. The philosophy at some schools is the school supplies are a necessity and should be sold at little or no profit. On the other hand, selling food items can give the store a profit and still undersell the local competition, which the students appreciate.
When you decide what food items to make available to students, keep in mind the nationwide movement for better nutrition in the schools. Items such as fruit, cheese and crackers, popcorn, and juices might be considered as an alternative to candy and other sugar-laden foods.
Advertising
Communication plays an important part in making an on-campus store a success. Students must be aware of what is available and at what price. Distribute a price list on the first day of school to each student. If your council publishes a student handbook, the price list should be included in it.
Some of the best customers of a store are new students. Make sure price lists are passed out during student orientations.
If business becomes slack (usually around mid-quarter), try offering a special on a popular item – this approach brings buyers inside where they are likely to purchase more than the sale item.
In addition, the conventional avenues for advertising shouldn’t be forgotten. Remember to make use of school bulletin boards and display cases.
This article is courtesy of the California Association of Student Councils.
Product Roundup: School Merchandising
Flock Transfers from HIX Corporation
HIX Corporation manufactures polyester fiber, velour heat applied, flock transfers, which are a cost-effective way to represent your school’s identity. Crest, mascot, or name, HIX will turn any design into a custom flock graphic iron-on. HIX flock is rugged polyester fiber, durable enough to withstand the most active student and dozens of washes. Pick from 25 colorfast fibers for a 3D look and velvety soft touch. These are fast and easy to use; transfer in 12 seconds with a heat press or home iron.
www.ez-transfers.com
LogoMagnets
Car magnets are one of the hottest items for fundraising and displaying school spirit. LogoMagnets are 100 percent American made, with strong attention to design and quality. They are durable, versatile and vibrant. They also come with a five-year guarantee against fading. LogoMagnets are a fast, easy and affordable fundraiser. LogoMagnets are easy to sell, since everyone wants to display school spirit.
www.LogoMagnet.com
B-Enterprises
B-Enterprises has been helping youth groups, churches, and Christian schools earn money for more than 10 years with their magnetic refrigerator magnetic calendars. The calendars are for two years from whatever month they begin, which allows the fundraisers to take place at any time during the year. During the final quarter of the year, the calendars automatically begin with the New Year because it is an excellent time to sell the calendars as Christmas gifts.
www.benterprises.us
Upswing Golf
Upswing Golf has two programs that will help schools running golf tournaments raise more money. The programs are helping to add a special spark to events that have tired of giving shirts and caps. The Club for All Program gives event organizers the opportunity to give a golf club to every tournament participant. The clubs are emblazoned with a sponsor or event logo and personalized with a shaft band for each player. The Tournament Directors Program allows event organizers to purchase a select group of quality performance clubs at a considerable discount and use them as prize items.
www.upswinggolf.com
Harcourt Outlines
Harcourt Outlines, Inc. has been serving schools since 1956 when Conrad C. and Norma S. Harcourt started the pencil imprinting business in an old chicken house. Harcourt Outlines, Inc. sells to more than 13,000 schools nationwide. The primary school product continues to be pencils. The school product line continues to grow. Besides custom-printed pencils, pens, notebooks and folders, Harcourt Outlines, Inc. has also been successful in assisting schools with Custom Agenda Books and Back-to-Schools Packs.
www.harcourtoutlines.com
Christmas Ornaments from Creative Services of New England
Schools can begin holiday fundraising now with this shatterproof Christmas ornament from Creative Services of New England. These beautiful Christmas ornaments are printed with a school’s logo, graphics or holiday message. Each ornament is individually packaged in an attractive gift box. Because the ornaments are becoming highly collectible, schools and organizations across America have been using the program year after year as a successful holiday fundraiser. Creative Services of New England has been in business for 24 years.
www.cs-ne.com
