[richywilts]

hi guys im looking at setting up a janitorial supplies shop in between chester and liverpool just off the m53, i have got a good idea what window cleaning and general cleaning supplies to stock but what carpet cleaning products does everyone recommend i stock and if anyone in this area would like me to have there details email address etc please email me at

richardwiltshire36@yahoo.co.uk

richard@windowcleandirect.co.uk

and i can send you an email so you can attend the opening and we can forward any deals we have running

[david washbrook]

hi richie

not sure how you go about it but i think most would use prochem, chemspec, craftex, hydramaster or solution cornwall products think you might be able to become a distributor for some of these suppliers

hope this helps and good luck

dave

[mike roberts]

we almost became prochem suppliers online + shop after numerous meetings, interviews etc total waste of time, local guys seemed to dictate to prochem and stopped us ... even if their stocks are limited and dont open until 9.00am ....
the mark up was a real eye opener!! me bitter er yes

[richywilts]

is mark up good,weve had similar probs with unger for window cleaning equipment

[John Kelly]

Mike, you obviously didn't get very far on the business plan. The standard markup in this industry is 40%. Most retailers work on 100-150%. So if you sold £100,000 worth of stock that would net you £40,000. You then have to pay your marketing/advertising, rent, rates, wages, electricity and the biggest cost couriers. What you are left with is then taxable profit. Hardly lucrative.

[Ian Gourlay]

Why do you do it then

Most trades work on that margin if you are a small guy.

In my other business which the Cleanitup police have banned me from mentioning

I have to drive to customers house several times   spend time installing etc cover anything that goes wrong, pay out shed loads on advertising and postage, if i wanted to go a stage further pay rent and rates

In other words all business has these problems

When I was with one of the COUNTRIES LEADING retailers branch used to turnover mega millions net profit 5%

[D woods]

We also have a janitorial supplies business, we make very little money out of it.

I like to put something back into the industry.

[robert meldrum]

Richard

If you have to ask on here you have a great deal to learn BEFORE thinking about setting up shop. The answers you seek are very easy to find for someone who's likely to succeed.

I'm out 

[Helen]

Richard

If you have to ask on here you have a great deal to learn BEFORE thinking about setting up shop. The answers you seek are very easy to find for someone who's likely to succeed.

I'm out 

Retail is a totally different ball game to service industry.
You would need to put in a manager who has vast experience of such, so straight away you are looking to pay a large salary in that on instance.
Unless you can get major discounts on bulk orders from major suppliers, so you can compete with on-line services and established businesses I would steer well clear.
Not dampening any enthusiasm for wanting to branch out Richy, but you have to be realistic and after the "luck" you haven't had just lately, you need to concentrate on building your core business, before leaping into the unknown
 

[Alban Cleaning]

  @ D Woods

last I heard Dave Bill Gates was asking you for a loan 

[andrew christopher]

Mike, you obviously didn't get very far on the business plan. The standard markup in this industry is 40%. Most retailers work on 100-150%. So if you sold £100,000 worth of stock that would net you £40,000. You then have to pay your marketing/advertising, rent, rates, wages, electricity and the biggest cost couriers. What you are left with is then taxable profit. Hardly lucrative.

My heart always bleeds for you JK! Every time i look at my pressure washer i think JK made no money out of this! 

[andrew christopher]

@ D Woods

last I heard Dave Bill Gates was asking you for a loan 

Last i heard you bought the warehouse cash out of loose change!

Ultrapac Andy

[Alban Cleaning]

Your nearly right, it was with the loose change that fell out of your pocket the last time you were in 

Ha ha nice one

[John Kelly]

Ian, I thought you did blinds. Did a flood job for a blinds guy a while back, he was 54 and retired and he was telling me he made up to 700% marging on conservatory blinds

[D woods]

ALBAN CLEANING

Is that Paul from Alban Cleaning?

[wynne jones]

hi guys im looking at setting up a janitorial supplies shop in between chester and liverpool just off the m53, i have got a good idea what window cleaning and general cleaning supplies to stock but what carpet cleaning products does everyone recommend i stock and if anyone in this area would like me to have there details email address etc please email me at

richardwiltshire36@yahoo.co.uk

richard@windowcleandirect.co.uk

and i can send you an email so you can attend the opening and we can forward any deals we have running

This is a good example of how to promote your business and build a mailing list without breaking forum rules or spamming anyone.

[richywilts]

Richard

If you have to ask on here you have a great deal to learn BEFORE thinking about setting up shop. The answers you seek are very easy to find for someone who's likely to succeed.

I'm out 

if you read my first post you would see that i know about window cleaning and general cleaning products and what might sell well i was just asking a bit of advice on a free forum asking the people in the trade what products they would buy on regular basis or need in emergencys etc who better to ask than these people than read up a load of info on internet what i think might sell

[richywilts]

We also have a janitorial supplies business, we make very little money out of it.

I like to put something back into the industry.

dave is your business JUST a trade shop or do you do supplies to offices etc like loo rolls,tissues,blue rolls.

i know trade shop isnt a great earner but i feel we have a good location and nothing really close by as competitor

and if it saves me travelling an hour to pick up certain pumps etc in emergencys its worth having a crack at

[Alban Cleaning]

The one and only

[D woods]

HI RIchie

OUr janitorial business has a trade counter Internet sales www.ukcleaningsupplies.co.uk. Www.allcleangroup.co.uk
And we sell direct to offices (this has the biggest markup)

I was only joking about not making any money out of janitorial sales.

But window cleaning is still the biggest earner.