Just something to consider CrueKnight as I myself started a few months ago and monkeyed around w/ the supply chain and still am getting mine in order, but found that retail was a much more controllable environment when the game is moving well along. It may be different of course at certain points in the game cycle, but there are many producers in many areas making it silly in some respects to focus on production of your own goods vs. selling someone elses.
From my experience, watching the Marketing & Advertising | City Market | Local Suppliers, is the FIRST THING to check when moving into retail. In most cities there is at least one product that is not fully exploited by retail with local providers having a large % of the market. If you can provide goods into that market at the same quality/price then you will quickly capture a chunk of this.
Also advertising becomes a critical part of retail so never EVER stop advertising as it pays off the very next week. The faster you spend to boost your store's reputation > 200 the better off you'll be. Also, don't stick w/ the smallest stores but go at least to a size of 1000.
In most cities if you just focus on advertising and supplying products w/ the highest margins, then you can start moving into non-retail areas more quickly.
Just my own experience, but thought it might help a fellow newcomer. |
