Things You Need To Think About When Opening A Retail Business

Julie Starr • January 5, 2022



Starting a new business is always a demanding undertaking, regardless of the industry in which you are involved. Before you can even think of opening your doors and launching your business, you must first select the appropriate site, refine your product line, and assemble a dedicated team of employees who have received proper training and are ready to work. It is frequently the small things that are the most significant and that will assist you to reach perfection, even if there are several other things to complete and keep track of.

In order to successfully open your brand new retail business, you should keep the following points in mind.

Take great care in selecting your location.

Spend some time inspecting the place from which you are considering opening a retail store before signing a leasing agreement with the property owner. As a result, you will have a better understanding of the quantity of foot traffic that comes into your store, the times of day when it is busiest, traffic concerns, how the surrounding stores are doing, lighting and accessibility issues, and so forth. Would-be business owners, understandably, become enamored with a location but fail to thoroughly explore some of the more minor details associated with it. It is possible that spending some time at the location will reveal some difficulties that you will be able to discuss with the owner or that will prompt you to continue your quest.

Consider your business’s brand identity.

When it comes to brand recognition , your company’s logo is critical, and you should incorporate it into your customers’ shopping experience. It contributes to the development of a relationship between your customers and your store. In times when no one is talking about you, your logo should be the one that represents you. One or more of the most effective places to show the logo are staff uniforms, receipts, price tags, shopping and bags and containers, and other marketing materials.

Organize your store layout

The design of your store’s layout has the power to create or break your company’s success. Shoplifting and property damage can be avoided if your store is organized in an effective and attractive manner. Your customers will be inspired to spend more money than they may have intended when they first entered the establishment if it is well laid out.  Make sure your signage is legible and consider using multiple types of signage to attract customers. 

In order to have an idea of what works and what does not when it comes to the design of your store, it is beneficial to go to a rival’s store and observe how its layout is set up. Consider sustainable marketing efforts in-store and online. Educating your client base on your responsible use of store resources including energy use, packaging, and sourcing can be an added value to both the business and its clients. 

Make plans for challenging days in advance.

Everything runs well when your products are flying off the shelves and your customers are all pleasant and easy to work with. Things will continue to run smoothly on other days as well. Another day may bring in a few customers, while another may bring in a large number of people who are having troubles.  There will also be days where you have huge numbers of refunds and make little or no profit, especially if you are one of the high risk merchant accounts . Make sure that you have plans in place for these situations. 

 

 

Blockchain for Sustainability: Cutting Through the Hype with Strategic Communication

By Julie Starr • April 28, 2025
As blockchain continues to gain traction in sustainability circles—from tracking carbon credits to improving supply chain transparency—more organizations are exploring how these emerging tools might support their ESG goals. But with innovation comes complexity, and for many stakeholders, blockchain still feels like a black box. That’s where communication becomes essential. At Taiga Company, we work with clients to simplify complex sustainability narratives without oversimplifying the value. While blockchain can offer traceability and transparency, it’s not a silver bullet—and how you talk about these technologies matters just as much as how you use them. Poor communication can undermine credibility, especially in a landscape where stakeholders and regulators are increasingly alert to greenwashing . On the other hand, clear, honest messaging about blockchain-enabled sustainability efforts can build trust and differentiate your leadership. Our approach is grounded in materiality and alignment. We help organizations: Translate technical tools like blockchain into plain language that resonates with diverse audiences Connect new technologies to core sustainability strategy Craft credible narratives that evolve alongside innovation Blockchain may be new territory, but strategic communication remains the foundation. Whether you're piloting traceability tools or just starting to explore how blockchain fits your ESG roadmap, we help you tell the story with clarity and confidence. Let’s make innovation meaningful.

6 Things All Modern Businesses Need in 2025

By Julie Starr • April 22, 2025
If you’re starting your own business, then you know all too well that it’s equally an exciting and overwhelming time. There’s so much to think about, and you want to get it right from day one. But it doesn’t have to be as overwhelming as you might think. Let’s go through everything your new business needs to hit the ground running this year. A Clear Business Plan Before anything else, take the time to figure out your game plan. This doesn’t need to be a long, boring document that you’ll never look at again. Think of it as a simple guide that answers three key questions: Who are you selling to? What are you offering? And how are you going to get noticed? Once you’ve written that down, you can always tweak it as your business grows. From a communications standpoint, clarity on your audience and value proposition also sets the foundation for authentic brand storytelling—something Taiga Company helps clients refine at every stage. Responsible Financial Management Money is one of those things that can make or break a business. The good news is you don’t need a finance degree to get it right. Start with a simple budget. Know how much is coming in, what’s going out, and what you’re setting aside. Think about things like stock, marketing, bills and wages if you’re hiring. Keep it realistic and keep it updated. Doing this from day one will make life much easier later. Reliable Cloud Services In 2025, storing everything on your laptop isn’t really a safe bet. Files go missing, computers break, and you don’t want to lose important stuff. That’s where cloud services come in. They keep your files secure, backed up and easy to access from anywhere. Whether it’s documents, customer info or creative work, having it all saved online gives you peace of mind. And when you're building a business in a digital-first world, having secure, accessible assets also means your team can collaborate more efficiently across channels—essential for strong communications. Flexible Payment Options Most people don’t carry cash anymore, so if you’re only accepting it, you’re going to lose sales. Get yourself a card reader that takes all the usual stuff like debit cards, credit cards, contactless and Apple Pay. The easier you make it for someone to pay you, the more likely they are to buy. Simple as that. A Basic Website Even if you’re not selling online, you still need a website. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Just something that tells people who you are, what you do, and how they can contact you. Think of your site as your digital front door. If someone hears about your business, chances are they’ll look you up online. Make sure what they find actually helps them. A clear website is also one of the most powerful communication tools your business has. We work with clients to ensure their digital presence reflects their story, purpose, and value. A Way to Spread the Word You can’t rely on people just stumbling across your business. You’ve got to put yourself out there. Social media is a great start, but don’t stop there. Think email newsletters , posters in your local area or even just chatting about your work whenever it comes up naturally. The more you talk about your business, the more others will too. Starting a business in 2025 is a big move, but it doesn’t have to feel impossible. Get the basics in place, stay flexible and keep learning. With the right tools and the right message, you can build momentum and create connection. Taiga Company helps growing businesses translate operational essentials into brand trust and long-term impact.