Its always never an easy task to start up a sari sari store. Having one will be a life-changing decision, and even a house changing decision too.
First lets answer the question – WHY?
Why start a sari sari store? is it because:
- I dont have a job, but I have enough money, so I’ll just do this.
- My husband’s at work, but I’m bored at home, so it’ll be my hobby
- I won a sari sari store package – it’ll be a waste if we just consume the goods
- My house expenses are starting to pile up, I need extra income.
- My neighbors like doing business with me so this is but natural.
- We saw our neighbors raking in the money so we put one up to get a share of the pie.
To tell you frankly, there isnt any correct reason why. As long as you have your own reason and you can stand by it, go ahead.
My mom actually started it because she wanted to become a plain housewife for Daddy, but feels she might get bored at home so she started selling as a hobby, and it grew. She had a passion for it and she enjoyed doing it. I guess the neighbors saw that and they felt at ease buying from our small store.
Whatever reason for putting up a store – it is your reason. It’s always valid — except if you say “wala lang”.
If your family has a sari-sari store, how did it start? what was the reason WHY you guys put one up? Pls send it in via comments
Tantin
I open a sari-sari store because im a housewife and i have plenty of vacant time everyday. Instead of spending it talking with neighbors and friends i decided to open a sari-sari store. Also,i wanted to help my husband with the everyday household expense. Though its location is out of the way (its not along the road because its just an extension of our house) its been operating for 5 yrs now,and sales everyday is quite okay. But my problem now is, i have a new competition, our neighbor living infront of us just recently opened a sari-sari store. Before a customer can come to us, it passes her store first,and our everyday sales has been affected. Please advise on what to do.
By: naome on July 18, 2011
at 9:19 pm
Once competition comes in, sales will be affected. This is where your 5 year realtionship with your customers will come into play. Let me ask you, have you been a good store owner while you had monopoly in your area? Or were you arrogant that customers have nowhere else to go so they buy from you? Your neighbor saw a weakness in you and took an opportunity so try to figure out what made them decide to set up store.
By: Exploitee on July 18, 2011
at 11:22 pm