David asked:


What is the greatest furniture company in Australia? And then, how much the sales is?

mickey135 asked:


Executive Summary:
1. Applicant/Company Information

-Business Structure:
Partnership
- Banking Information:
Bank: Wells Fargo Bank
Contact: Erica Smith, Financial Services Manager

Design Coffee Shop will begin operations in July 2009. Plans also include undertaking a small expansion with 6-8 months of beginning operations.”

Brief outline of your business concept:

Design Coffee Shop is a company involved with providing quality item in an origiral setting. It provides graphic design and marketing communication services. it not provide big business . It isa small local business, not a major corpoaration.
We target the students who need a nice quiet cozy place to think and do their work. Also, students who wanted to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee and relax & while looking at murals or listening to music. It will disply the work of 4 graphic designesr and represent our arts.
In the past, people would not spend more than 50 cents for a cup of coffee. For a few years, now they glad to pay $1 to $4 for their cappuccino, mocha latte or vanilla ice blended drink
The specialty-coffee business is growing at a healthy pace.
The competive, companies include Starbucks, The Coffee Bean, Pet’s, Dietrich’s and other major chains, who serve average quality drinks in establishments that have the same generic design appearance. Indeed, Starbucks and The Coffee Bean are often referred to as “fast food” coffeehouses due to their “cookie cutter” design. Now that Americans’ coffee preferences have broadened and matured, many are asking for more from their coffee shop. Design Coffee Shop can fill this need for more sophisticated shop.

Market Risks
MARKET OPPORTUNITY
Ownership
The Design Coffee Shop is a general partnership between Lisa and Sandy Mason. Each partner is equally l involved in operation and management of the shop, each to her own abilities.
Location and Facilities
The Design Coffee Shop is located in the Old Town section of San Bernardino, California. We currently own the building we will occupy, though painting and renovation are sorely needed.
Products and Services
Description of Products and Services
The Design coffee shop will offer high quality coffee, tea, hot cocoa, and cappuccino, at a very reasonable price.
We will also buy cookies & snack from other vendor.
Key Features of the Products and Services
All drinks will be made with filtered water and the highest quality ingredients we can get.
Frozen drinks will have caramel or chocolate syrup drizzled in the glass and over the drink. Cappuccino and hot cocoa will have whipped cream toppings as well as the option for candy sprinkles. Cookies will have the option of a chocolate or caramel dip and sprinkles.
We will offer designer flavored cream and five kinds of sweetener, (i.e. sugar, honey, Equal, Splenda, and Sweet-n-Low). Cream and sweetener is at no extra charge.

Production of Products and Services
We will use only filtered water and will brew our coffee in commercial coffeepots that will be thoroughly cleaned between uses.
Future Products and Services
Within the next three to five years we expect to branch out into catering and offer homemade pies, whole or by the slice.
Comparative Advantages in Production
Our low overhead and cheaper pricing will be the key to our success.
Industry Overview
Market Research
There are other businesses that serve only coffee in our town
Size of the Industry
Nationally, the coffee shop industry is quite large, but in somearea, there are more.
Trends
This industry is booming at the present time, and there is a trend toward small cozy places and away from the large generic chains.
Industry Outlook
The coffee business does not show signs of slowing down. With new innovations such as flavorings and additives, it should continue for a long time.
Marketing Strategy
Target Markets
Our target market is a artist and writers who need a nice quiet cozy place to think and do their work.
Description of Key Competitors
Of the three coffee shops in the area, one is a large chain with a very expensive product, one is really a home-style restaurant, and the last one, our biggest competitor is an antique store with a “tea room”.
Analysis of Competitive Position
Our pricing strategy and comfortable atmosphere will be the key to our success. None of the other shops in the area can offer this.
Pricing Strategy
We will offer three sizes of drinks, small $1.00, medium $1.50 and large $2.00.
Our cookies and brownies will sell for $1.00 each and selling a booket of artwork for $10.00
Promotion Strategy
We intend to advertise in the local newspapers and offer a “frequent drinkers club” discount to our best customers. We will also send out ads via direct mail, which will include cents off coupons.
Management and Staffing
Organizational Structure
Our organizational structure will be a simple pyramid style with the owners putting in as much work as the employees. Pyrimid a tall hierarchical structure, in other words, then I would be the boss, with a general manager working as your employee, who has a team, that on its turn supervises the employees. I think I mean a Flat structure (with the owners being “one of the guys”)
Management Team
April and Arlene will share management and supervisory responsibilities equally. Arlene for the morning shift. April for the afternoon shift.
Staffing
We will hire two busboys and two waitresses; these will be recruited from the local high school.
Labor Market Issues
In this area there are many high school students looking for work, part time or full time, we want to fill that need.

Market Risks
The main risk is monetary. The area may not be ready for a place like ours and we may not do a great business.
Implementation Plan
Implementation Activities and Dates
1. A superior-tasting product backed by a unique quality store
A relaxing, upscale interior design
Prime site selection with an upscale affluent population, year-round tourist activity, heavy pedestrian traffic by the site, a dynamic student population and a concentration of local businesses
A market that exposes Dark Roast Java to high-profile “trend-setters” and “key influencers”
Ongoing, aggressive marketing
Highly trained and friendly staff
Multiple revenue streams including gift items, gift baskets and coffee gift/frequency cards in addition to coffee, pastry, chocolates, tea, juice, water and soft drink
A dynamic website with online sales capability

2. Complete renovation 2/15/08
Purchase and set up equipment
Interview staff
Hire staff
3. Begin preliminary advertising 2/15/09 (Not yet)
Operate for 1 week unannounced (to get the kinks out, people notice “new” businesses, word of mouth will get out there, be ready)
Notify local newspaper your grand opening will be (no advertising cost, you’ll be swamped!)
4. Purchase and setup equipment 2/15/09 (This is mentioned above.)
5. Open for business 7/1/09

Financial Plan
Balance Sheet
Current Assets:
Building $150,000
5 computer $5,995

Furnishings $5,000 if I go for a good atmosphere, you’ll need more than that probably, unless you get money from the government (you are promoting culture in the end!)
Equipment $1,000
Cash
Arlene $5,000
April $4,500
Accounts Receivable
None
Inventory
Coffee $1,000
Tea $500
Other Assets
Cups $3,000
Total Current Assets
$24,005
Liabilities:
Accounts Payable (monthly)
Water $200
Phone $150
Electric $500
Donut Vendor $1,000
Warehouse Club $1,000
Coffee Distributor $1,000
Wages $5,000
Advertising $1,000
Taxes Payable
Property Taxes $500
Employee Taxes $2,000
Operating Loans Payable
Startup Loan $500
Printer $ 97
Total Liabilities
$12,947 on going per month
Projected Income
March 05
Coffee $6,000
Tea $2,000
Cookies $1,500
Donuts $2,500
Misc. $4,000
Total Income for March
$16,000
Total Projected Net Profit (Cost/Benefit)
$3,150 for March
This would assume 20 pots of coffee sold a day, plus an assortment of other items. This also assumes the market will not increase or decrease due to weather or economics. This would be an average month.

Terry asked:


We Are Here To Give You An Opportunity - A Job Offer

Benefits

* This is a Part-time Job
* The average monthly income is about $2,500-$4000.
* This job takes only 1-3 hours per Day.
* Job Description: Payment Representative on behalf of proposed companies
* Opened to USA and Canada Residents only.
* 10% Commission.
* On time Payment.
* Win A car Every Month (Maximum referrals ).

We will like to know if you will be interested To work for us, as a Part-Time Job, It has no negative effect on your present Job status. We have few linked companies in the UK and they deal on Premier furnishings, Luxury car sales, Electronic sales, Motorcycle Services and so many more.
So they are given you an Opportunity to earn more Money to your pocket from home without stress and to advertise the Company. If you are interested in the offer fill in your application and we will contact you directly .

FILL YOUR APPLICATION HERE

It is all about your Bright Future.
Thank you.

Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender
© 2008 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

new name asked:


Keeping a new flock
Wal-Mart’s T.F. store is an example of where it wants its other stores to be to keep upscale customers coming back
http://www.magicvalley.com/articles/2009/06/24/business/local_state/164854.txt
Times-News staff and wire reports

The Wal-Mart Supercenter in Twin Falls is an example of what the company hopes to do with nearly 3,600 others stores across the nation.

That’s because the recession steered a new type of customer to Wal-Mart - deeper in the pockets and suddenly looking for bargains.

Now the world’s largest retailer has to figure out how to keep that customer when the economy recovers.

So Wal-Mart is bringing in more brand names, ditching scores of other products and even redesigning hundreds of stores to give them wider aisles, better lighting and better sight lines.

It’s more than just a cosmetic upgrade. That new breed of customer also spends about 40 percent more than the traditional Wal-Mart shopper, and the retailer senses an opportunity to accelerate its growth.

It’s placing a big bet on the redesign of most of its 3,600 stores, started last fall. This fiscal year, it plans to redo up to 600 at a cost from $1.6 billion to $1.7 billion.

A corporate spokeswoman said the prototype for the remodeling will be similar to the Supercenter that opened in Twin Falls in June, which includes lower shelves to make it easier to see across the store, better lighting and wider aisles. Expanded electronics areas will include interactive displays to test video games and portable gadgets.

The store now carries brands like Danskin and Better Homes and Gardens, and its electronics section now stocks pricier products like Palm Inc.’s well-received new Pre smartphone.

Whether it all works, Wall Street analysts say, depends in part on how quickly the behemoth retailer can remodel and keep shoppers satisfied. Concerns about how Wal-Mart will keep its momentum have sent its stock down 13 percent this year.

The early signs are positive, putting pressure on the rest of the industry. Target Corp., whose sales have been hampered by its emphasis on nonessentials like trendy jeans, is expanding its fresh food offerings. Best Buy Co. is beefing up customer service.

Other discounters, including TJX Cos. Inc., which sells name-brand fashions and home furnishings, Costco Wholesale Corp. and BJ’s Wholesale Club Inc., are focusing on how to hold on to new customers lured by low prices during the recession.

But Wal-Mart, which only three years ago struggled with cluttered stores, long lines, stiff towels and unattractive clothing, has a bigger hurdle to climb. And it has to move fast to win over people who still have negative feelings about shopping there.

Wal-Mart, which topped $400 billion in sales last year, attracts more than 140 million customers per week. But to get them to buy more than just groceries, which account for about half of annual sales, it’s paring its product lineup and making room for better brands.

Consultant Burt P. Flickinger III estimates the remodeled stores are carrying 10 to 15 percent less inventory, particularly getting rid of no-name labels.

Wal-Mart executives say 17 percent of the chain’s traffic growth in February came from new customers, and they’re spending 40 percent more per trip. More than half of those shoppers living in households that take in more than $50,000 a year.

While that may not be considered affluent, it’s a big departure from Wal-Mart’s core customers, of whom one in five does not have a bank account or has limited access to financial services.

Drock asked:


Lackluster sales in this holiday season have retailers scrambling to wring a few last dollars from procrastinators by slashing prices, extending hours and wooing customers more persistently than last year.
The moves show that retailers’ strategy during this final weekend before Christmas — when about 10% of holiday sales are expected to take place — has become increasingly reliant on the same promotions and marathon hours once unique to the “Black Friday” weekend following Thanksgiving. But the discounts also reveal the pinch stores are in this year as the credit crunch, rising gas prices and winter storms have taken a toll on companies dependent on end-of-year sales.
The tough economy has left aisles more empty this year. Total foot traffic at U.S. retail outlets took an 8.9% dive during the second full week of December, compared with the same period last year, according to an estimate from ShopperTrak RCT Corp., which bases its numbers on a formula that involves an electronic count of shoppers in malls and other retail outlets nationwide.
A bright spot, however, has been online, where aggressive discounting and cut-rate deals on fast shipping have contributed to a surge in spending. From Nov. 1 to Dec. 16, online shoppers spent $23.5 billion, 19% higher than the corresponding days last year, according to comScore Inc., a Reston, Va., market research firm that tracks Web spending and traffic. Videogames, consoles and accessories are the fastest-growing category, more than doubling from the comparable period last year. Furniture, appliances and equipment ranks second, up 63%, while event tickets and consumer electronics are up 29% and 24%, respectively.
Now, a final push is on, both online and in stores. Web retailers continued to hunt for business by cutting shipping charges to seal deals before the pre-Christmas shipping window closes. Shoebuy.com, a Boston-based unit of IAC/InterActive Corp. offered free express shipping until today. Online handbag merchant eBags upgraded purchases made by Wednesday from standard shipping to two-day air-shipping through UPS for no extra cost.
Brick-and-mortar stores, meanwhile, retooled their hours for the weekend, hoping to spark their own shopping flurry. J.C. Penney Co. stores are staying open until midnight tonight and Saturday. Select Macy’s Inc. stores on the East Coast will stay open nonstop throughout the weekend — 107 hours straight for one branch in Queens. And New York-based FAO Schwarz made discounts of 25% to 50% on certain toys. Ed Schmults, the chief executive officer at FAO Schwarz, said that while foot traffic was up, business had not been as booming throughout the season as he hoped.
The National Retail Federation, a trade group, is predicting just 4% in sales growth for 2007, the smallest growth rate in five years. Britt Beemer, chairman of America’s Research Group, paints an even grimmer picture: He lowered his forecast of 2% retail sales growth to 1.8%, his lowest forecast in nearly 10 years.
In the apparel category, men’s clothing has showed modest single-digit growth through the first 20 days of the shopping season, according to MasterCard Spending Pulse, a unit of MasterCard Advisors, which tracks spending of all types. But women’s apparel — which last year constituted three times the sales of men’s — has been a major disappointment, as shoppers have avoided big purchases. Sales were down 5.7% from the same time last year.
Retailers have responded with a flurry of price cuts, but large inventory remains in some stores. One of Gap Inc.’s Old Navy stores in downtown Chicago on Wednesday had piles of festive sweaters marked down to $20 from $36.50. Women’s coats still stuffed the racks, despite being already marked down 50%, and its signature “performance fleece,” also half off, was stacked eight shelves high.
The bad tidings for apparel have left some retailers looking for other items to push. At Banana Republic, also owned by Gap, $64 gift sets of its perfumes, body creams and shower creams were marked down 30%. Gold-boxed gift sets of a new line of bath products at Ann Taylor Stores Corp. stores were discounted to $19.50 from $29. At Limited Brands Inc.’s Victoria’s Secret, stores were piled with beauty gift sets, many 40% off.
Meanwhile luxury goods are expected to have a good season this year, and retail consultant Frederick Crawford of AlixPartners predicts “pockets of good news” for high-end retail. For brands like Prada and Gucci, he expects to see 5% to 7% growth.
According to retail surveys, electronics sales were down 0.5% in the three-week period between Nov. 18 and Dec. 9 compared to a year ago, according to Stephen Baker, vice president of industry analysis for market watcher NPD Group. He said consumers in recent years have been delaying purchases until closer to Christmas, which may account for the slowdown.
Indeed, Angela Smith has waited until the last week to make her purchases. A 39-year-old bank employee in Dallas, Ms. Smith said she is waiting for prices to drop further as well as trying to spend less. For her three nephews, ages 12, 8 and 7, she plans to buy remote-controlled cars, which Wal-Mart Stores Inc. initially priced at $59 and has since dropped to $49. “I am going to swing by this weekend and see if they are going to take it down one more time,” says Ms. Smith, who was shopping for a co-worker’s present at her local Wal-Mart midweek.
Home-furnishings retailers, fighting the weak housing market, are being particularly aggressive with their promotions this year. At Williams-Sonoma Inc.’s Pottery Barn store on Chicago’s Michigan Avenue, Christmas-tree-shaped candles were discounted 50%, and holiday garlands of fake evergreen branches were 30% off. Wrapped gifts such as silver jewelry boxes, also marked down 30%, were stacked high Wednesday afternoon.
Home-improvement outfits like Lowe’s Cos. Inc. and Home Depot Inc. are destined to be hardest hit, says AlixPartners’ Mr. Crawford. “Consumers are absolutely showing us that they will be delaying discretionary purchases” like gear to remodel a kitchen, he said.
A boom-bust pattern is typical after Thanksgiving’s Black Friday discounts, which encourages a flurry of purchases early but leads to a tapering off in early December, killing shopping momentum. This year the pattern was more pronounced: A double-digit sales surge on Black Friday exceeded retailers’ expectations; but come December, throngs of shoppers didn’t return.
There was one exception, however: online retail. Web merchants have discounted and promoted heavily this season, say industry analysts. Shipping promotions have been particularly popular. Sixty-eight percent of surveyed Web retailers said they are offering express shipping promotions this year, up from 49% last year, according to Scott Silverman, executive director of Shop.org, an online retail trade group and unit of National Retail Federation.
As the boom continues, these companies are becoming increasingly creative to draw customers. This year Ice.com, a Montreal-based Internet jeweler, has rolled out new videos to promote products and free overnight shipping. It has experimented with new marketing tricks such as buying front-page ads on Microsoft Corp.’s MSN and Yahoo Inc.’s Web sites this week. Ice.com even tried to tap influencers to drive word-of-mouth among blogs, magazine mentions and celebrities.

Robert S asked:


I ask because I don’t know how home furnishings will be around much longer.

Makwaria L asked:


this is for a crossword puzzle