Should I open a male grooming online supply store?

Craig:

Lets face it... you are asking a very broad question (grooming) from a broad category of consumers (men) so you're going to get a broad array of responses. From me you are going to get a straight forward answer that will disappoint you... my grooming consists of washing my hair daily with dollar store shampoo, applying deodorant, and shaving with 99 cent Barbasol shaving cream and a Mach III razor. I usually get my grooming supplies at Walgreens and usually with coupons so the concept of paying for shipping for maybe a $5 order won't save me money and certainly won't make you money.

You should narrow down your focus a little bit to target the best fit products and information for your target audience. It doesn't have as much to do with pricing as with branding. You'll want to capture the guys that want the image of your brand. Do you want to focus on gym rats, computer geeks, mechanics, or cheap "I dont give a damn" consumers like me??? Without a focus, you're going to end up with a room full of products in order to fill orders that you probably won't get. You should concentrate on building a brand before building a business.

Why not start out with a blog writing and sharing articles on various grooming tips and product reviews? Focus on writing a business plan that will help you conduct the necessary marketing research. Then you can focus a more clearly defined survey once you know who your audience will be. Most people don't want to be sold but rather want to be taught.

I'm not saying your online shop won't be the next Amazon or Ebay for grooming supplies but you've got to figure out who you want to attract and how you want to attract them. In other words, it's important to narrow down your broad categories of audience and industry so that you can start small and think big.

Let's say you start out with razors and offer the finest selection of razors from 12 manufacturers and then as you restock sales you focus on replacement blades, shave creams, and after shave formulas from a variety of companies. You can then begin to work your audience with "by the way, we now offer 15 kinds of shampoos and conditioners", and then move into "we now carry condoms in assorted colors by 36 manufacturers." Through the process back up your products with information on how your brand satisfies the needs for your customers whether it's price, discretion, convenience, or whatever advantage you have. Take baby steps to building your empire or you will end up with unsold products and more debt than sales.

You are on the right track but know your customers and know your competition. Again for me you are competing again Suave shampoos and other Walgreens/Rite Aid products that I can buy off the shelve after the last squirt from my bottle comes out.

Figure out what kind of profit margin you'll have on your products. Find out who your audience is and how to attract them. Focus on your misson statement to solve the needs for your customers. Educate yourself on buying, selling, web site design, legal issues, advertising, branding, and the basics of building a start up company before you slap an OPEN sign on a business (virtual or brick-mortar).

Why not look into manufacturing your own products with a unique scent that can give you more margin for profit than buying from distributors that buy from brokers that buy from manufacturers???

Hit the books, then hit the books, then hit the world wide web!!!

Remember people don't buy godiva chocolates for the chocolates or Coach purses for the purses... it's the name (brand) that customers buy.

What's your niche???

It is always a good idea if you feel you have a niche market for the products you are intending to sell. The internet is a vast marketplace and with the right research for your target audience, i'm sure you will succeed. Try not to sell everything on men's grooming. pick out the ones you feel will convert into a sale.

Yes way not online store is very trendy now a days so must continue with your ideas .Online grooming store is helpful for men from where men can get information about their grooming features.

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