There are several third-party sellers and gardeners who set up roadside stands on their driveways or alongside busy roads to sell their fruits and produce to willing buyers, especially during summer and spring. Even though these are not the type of businesses that can grow and attract the attention of angel investors, they do provide great insights into vital marketing and operational facts. Here are some of the do’s and don’ts when it comes to investing your money in roadside stands:
The Dos:
Be Convenient
It’s natural that everyone craves for convenience in doing everything in life, and roadside stands provide that aspect because people are walking, cycling, or driving by the roadside stands. According to Retail Touchpoints, “brands must build better relationships with every consumer and create a seamless, friction-free shopping journey.” It’s easier to buy fruits at a roadside stand than to spend your morning at a farmer’s market, take a trip to the grocery store, or even visit a supercenter.
Furthermore, the flavor and texture of recently picked strawberries or cherries are quite different from the shipped-in versions. You should also remember that these fruits have a limited time for goodness and ripeness. Customers know that they have to make quick decisions based on that natural fact. Therefore, ensure that your roadside stand covers that aspect of convenience adequately and limits intrusiveness.
Be Strict On Quality
It’s true that the quality of foods found at roadside stands is higher as compared to what you can get at your ordinary grocery store. Moreover, stands located at busy highways tend to command higher-than-usual prices as compared to their regular driveway counterparts. These travelers or tourists are always willing to pay higher provided they get good quality and for convenience purposes.
Follow the Local Regulations
There are various legal concerns and safety concerns that you should follow when opening a roadside stand. According to Dave Abels, “Car accidents that occur on the shoulder of the road are very dangerous, and often, deadly. In fact, of all fatal accidents in the nation in 2009, about 40% of them involved the shoulder of the road impact.” Check with the relevant local authorities about these legal and safety concerns before launching your roadside stand to avoid being on the wrong side of the law or facing lawsuits.
The Don’ts:
Avoid Hiking Prices Unnecessarily
Most small businesses and roadside stands fail to succeed by overpricing their commodities. Remember, groceries and businesses that pay for utility and floor spaces calculate their prices of their products in such a manner that they can pay for these bills and still get a return on investment. Hence, because you’re not paying for such bills, you should avoid pricing your produce the same way. Customers love buying foods from roadside stands because they’re relatively cheaper.
Customers love connecting with business owners because they have been shunned by most established enterprises that hide behind voice response systems. So, connect well with your customers and follow the above tips in starting and succeeding in your roadside stand business.
