RETAIL BUSINESS Create a competitive niche business Deliver on-brand service to your target customers Harness the full potential of today's retail technology Thrive in today's competitive marketplace  Thirty-five years ago, opening and operating a retail business was a  fairly straightforward process. But things have changed dramatically.  Owner-operated retailers now face competition from category killers,  multinational big-box retailers, and even "stores" that exist only on the  Internet.  Recognizing just how much the retail business has changed, authors Jim  Dion and Ted Topping offer a different kind of how-to book, painting a  clear picture of how an owner-operated retail business can thrive in  today's competitive marketplace. They even help you take the first concrete  steps toward your dream--a bonus that has made this title a consistent  seller.  Start and Run a Retail Business is as much a valuable guide for  owner-operated retailers working now as it is for people just starting out.  With a practical and real world approach, the authors describe in detail  the major aspects of running a profitable retail business. By examining  retail from a customer's perspective--and focusing on the in-store  experience--this book will help you meet the challenges of today's retail  world head on.  The CD-ROM includes: Six-month merchandise plan Monthly maintained margin report Advertising plan Retail software checklist Supplier checklist Store location calculator Sales associate interview guide and more!