Questionnaire: Can You Find the Perfect Location?

By: Scott McBride - Updated: 5 Jul 2010 | *Discuss

 

A barber shop relies heavily on passing trade, so the location is of vital importance. The main priority is finding a business location that will guarantee a steady stream of customers through the door. Try our questionnaire to discover if you have what it takes to find the ideal location for a barber shop.

Question 1: A derelict-looking shop is available to let in a residential location and a quick telephone call reveals that the rent is very affordable. What should you do?

• a) Sign a deal as soon as possible before it is snapped up by someone else.
• b) Get a quote for refitting the shop before committing.
• c) Do some market research to find out how many potential customers pass the shop.
• d) Look elsewhere.

Question 2: A shop is available to buy in an area dominated by office buildings. It looks good, but the area is deserted on the Saturday you visit. What should you do?

• a) Look elsewhere because Saturday is traditionally a very busy day for barber shops.
• b) Come back next Saturday and see if it is any busier.
• c) Take a look at the shop location during the week.
• d) Put a bid in for the shop and hope the area gets busier.

Question 3: A prime city centre location has become available and the only barber shop nearby is charging a fortune for a haircut. What should you do?

• a) Make a move and undercut the rival barber.
• b) Walk away because the overheads will be too expensive.
• c) Ask shoppers if they would welcome another barber shop in the area.
• d) Do plenty of market research and make sure the figures add up before making a move.

Question 4: An affordable shop has become available in a busy part of town, and the two barber shops nearby look very busy. What should you do?

• a) Keep looking because the competition looks too fierce here.
• b) Look at the prices charged by the competition. Maybe you could charge less and steal customers.
• c) Make a move and fight it out with the rival barber shops.
• d) Count the customers waiting for a haircut at the busy shops. Maybe there are enough customers for three barber shops to survive.

Question 5 : A former barber shop has become available in a busy street and all market research suggests it should be a success. What should you do?

• a) Leave it for someone else because it has already been a barber shop and failed.
• b) Give it a lick of paint and move in – you’re ready to go.
• c) Show your market research findings to family and friends and get their views.
• d) Find the previous occupant and ask what went wrong.

Answers

1 d) A residential location is no good for a business that relies so heavily on passing trade.

2 c) Offices that are closed for the weekend will be crammed with potential customers during the week, so take another look during the week.

3 b) Prime city centre locations are too expensive for a small start-up business, so be realistic and minimise the risks.

4 a) Moving into an area with two successful, well-established competitors is extremely risky for a start-up barber shop.

5 b) The premises are already fitted out as a barber shop, so trust your market research and make a move.

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