Greetings!

I am a long-time lurker, who has just joined.

I am changing careers, and will be opening a retail candy/chocolate shop. This is completely new territory for me, as I have been in corporate for my entire adult life. I have great skills in many key areas, but I also am very aware of what I lack as a professional, and I know to hire others to supplement, do a lot of research, or simply ask advice of those wiser and more experienced.

My shop will have higher end artisan chocolates, and nostaglic and unusual candy. Nothing you would find in a grocery store. The chocolate will be fine and gourmet - nothing you could find even in a chain chocolate shop.

Anyone who has advice on retail store design, visual merchandising, marketing, profit margins, product selection, even hours of operation, is very welcomed!! I have my own ideas in all of these areas, but again, I know I can learn a lot from the membership in this community, and I am very hungry to absorb what I can from the experts.

Thank you, all!

updated by @meg-randall: 04/10/15 12:37:20