Don't Overlook the Competition

Prior to opening a department store within your community, it's a smart move to determine what the competition looks like. We've provided the link below to help you find competitors in your city. Complete the form by entering your city, state and zip code to get a list of department stores that are close by.

• Find Local Department Store Competitors

Is the local market large enough to support another department store? If not, you had better be sure that you are doing things much better than the competition.

Talk to People Who Are Already in the Business

If you are seriously contemplating launching a department store, it's essential that you learn as much as you can from somebody who is already in the business. If you think your local competitors will give you advice, you're being overoptimistic. The last thing they want to do is help you to be a better competitor.

On the other hand, an individual who has a department store outside of your community may be willing to share their entrepreneurial wisdom with you, given that you don't compete with them in their area. In fact, they are often very willing to share startup advice with you. In my experience, you may have to call ten business owners in order to find one who is willing to share his wisdom with you.

How does one go about finding an owner of a department store in another city who you can speak with?

Simple. Let your fingers do the walking by using the link below.

• Get In Touch With Department Store Owners

Don't Rule Out Franchising

Your chances for becoming a successful entrepreneur go up significantly if you go the franchising route and leverage their successful brand and track record.

Before starting a department store, you ought to investigate whether purchasing a franchise might help you on your entrepreneurial journey.

The link below gives you access to our franchise directory so you can see if there's a franchise opportunity for you. You might even find something that points you in a completely different direction.

• Franchise Directory