Managing Your School Store

The DOs

Do treat your school like a real business—take inventory, give receipts, and know your customer.

Do involve your students! They'll bring excitement and energy to your store and you will give them a chance to get some great experience. Plus, who knows more about what students want than a classmate.

Do pay attention to the bottom line—adding a small mark-up to the price will make your school store profitable, and because Geddes products are priced to sell, you'll still be able to offer your students great items at affordable prices.

Do offer the basic supplies your students need, then spice it up with some fun items too! Along with our school specialty of exclusive novelty pens, pencils, and other school supplies, we offer all of the traditional school supplies everyone's familiar with.

Do call Geddes with questions! We're here to help you make your store as successful as possible. Reach us toll-free at 1 (888) 431-1722.

The DON'Ts

Don't get too caught up in the business and forget to have FUN.

Don't forget to get input from your students workers on decisions you make about your store—they are your target market.

Don't overlook the obvious—pricing stickers, signage, advertising, etc! Your store will run much more efficiently if everything is clearly labeled with its price.

Don't make purchasing decisions without consulting your teachers—kids are buying supplies for their classes, so they are the best way to know what your store should offer.

Don't throw your Geddes catalog away! It will be a great resource to you in running your store and, along with our Quick Shopper page, can speed you through your shopping at raymondgeddes.com.

There's More in the Manual

Check out our School Store Manual for even more information. Download a free copy of GEDDES School Stores: An Operating Manual (21.6MB PDF), then browse our website of school supplies to start stocking your very first school store.