Opening new business - advice please

Hi we are taking over an established bike shop next month and will be introducing take away coffees. Just thinking about opening day ... Do you think it's best to have a store wide discount sale or free coffees on the day as people won't necessarily know we are now introducing coffee. Anyone got thoughts on this ? We'll be on social media soon with pics of the fit out and advertising for opening day so thought I'd jump on here for some advice many thanks !

 

Will you be opening a coffee shop within a bike shop as a stream of revenue or give away coffee to attract people to the bike shop?

 

As a stream of revenue

 

Just thinking first day coffees free so people know we have good coffee as well. In a great spot where people walk past on way to work - no one else open that end of town. Small 20000 population regional town

 

I always tell my wife and daughter that I loved coffee and bikes way before they came along!

pinkboy

 

Free coffee and free service check over. Can gain business if anything is needed too.

 

I'd go store wide discount, full priced coffee. You want to sell stock, not just give away coffee
You can always ask people if they'd like a coffee, and most likely they'll smell it so will become aware if it regardless!

 

I mean good as in local coffee that's won awards. Your right though need a good barrister

 

No discounts, no freebies. Set your prices properly, offer value and define your brand.

 

Free raincoats for city riders

 

The worst customers are the ones chasing a discount. Offer good service to justify your full prices. The ones chasing bargains can go to the web.
As a business owner and someone in the cycling industry - don't aim your marketing at people that want discounts. Aim your marketing at people that want good service. If you want to give discounts, provide the discounts on future transactions so that they come back to try another service you offer. Ie - 20% off your next bike service when you buy XYZ. Give your business the chance to convert them on future sales rather than today's sale.

 

if handled correctly it can certainly be a worthwhile exercise, especially if you team up with your coffee supplier who might chip in with free beans and maybe a barista or 2, all depends on whether there's something to be gained for everyone.

it's fine to give away freebies or a chance to try something on a launch day provided you frame it correctly and only do it that day, to avoid getting into the trap @Biz referred to

a strategised/targeted deal used to introduce a business/its offering to a customer is fine if that's how it's done and if the offering is actually good and not bargain basement. think uber, a fair of the "gourmet" fast casual franchises and increasingly many smaller hospitality offerings are doing that. one in perth did it just last weekend to introduce a new concept within their existing venue and is a quality owner operated $55-75/cover joint that's near capacity most nights.

in this day and age of rightfully cynical potential customers wary of bought for internet reviews and dodgy food bloggers a launch special done right can give you that big initial intro/buzz without feeling as forced.

 

Update ! We are open and things are going well! Crazy amount of services so really pushing that... Been open a month and still don't have food licence approved for coffee so that's been a bummer with council etc but we will get there! Should have coffee cranking in next couple of weeks. About to put on a trainee bike mechanic as its been too busy for hubby to manage everything himself. getting into bike hire as well for summer and tourist season. Good times

 

add in craft beer and you can't possibly lose!

 

Thats gold advice and people in this category usually have high disposable incomes and are not chasing discounts and realise time is a the most precious commodity so are happy to pay others what they dont want or like to do.

Always good to hear of a small business doing well as its not easy to do so.

 

Yeah good service is our priority ... When my hubby builds a bike up he literally triple checks everything before it goes out the door ! I think we are fortunate too to be in a regional area where everyone knows everyone - word of mouth big and people are pretty willing to continue to support small business over the Internet - even if it's costs a bit more

 

If anyone's ever in Burnie tas - come say hi !

 

ha ha love it