Starting a small computer accessories store

Vipi wadau, how’s the accessories business like? Especially one that deals with computer stuff…
Margins ziko vipi, pros and cons ?Ntashukuru insights Sana … Ad want to open one

Research extensively, mid 2000, going back, few people knew where to buy accessories, i remember being sent to Nyeri to deliver a mouse, from Nairobi.
Siku hizi, local shopkeeper are stocking this accessories.

Here are my two cents, with the assumption that you intend to set up the business in Nairobi:
First, strategic location is very important for a newbie. Ensure you are easily accessible by potential customers. In terms of cost of acquiring a shop, this mostly varies with the location.

Secondly, if you are totally new to this industry, I’d suggest that you start small and take a couple of weeks or even months to learn the business in terms of what is moving and what is not coz you don’t want to be over ambitious and buy many items only to end up with dead stock. You can begin by sourcing items locally then start importing after you are certain that whatever you are importing will move off the shelf quickly. I know places you can get your stock locally and I can give you leads once you are ready.

Thirdly, fanya aggressive advertising on every available platform. There are many free platforms such as FB, IG, Twitter, Telegram, WhatsApp and others like Jumia & Jiji where you can list your products. Create a website as well to widen your reach.

Fourth, good customer service is very important and be honest in your dealings. These two often lead to customer referrals which help market your business in a way that other forums can’t.

In terms of margins, you can sell an item between 1.5 - 4 times your buying price, depending on the item and the customer. The key here is to ensure your volume of sales is high.

However, hii biz iko na watu wengi so you need to package yourself well coz competition is real. If you are skilled in tech, then you are at an advantage coz you can also offer services such as maintenance/repairs to boost your margins.

Fifth, set some cash aside for city council permits. Epuka aibu ndogo ya hawa majamaa coz they can ruin your day. The good thing is that these fees can be paid in quarterly instalments.

Lastly, like it is always said, business is all about taking risks and what works for me may not always work for you. My parting shot: Your excitement of succeeding should be greater than your fear of failing.

Thanks.

nice

Great. Would you mind sharing where you import from,how the get into the country etc…

Most accessories zinatoka China. Identify what you would like to import then uingie Aliexpress ama Alibaba. Huko, tafuta supplier anapeana at least 60-day buyer protection. Ukipata ya 90-day, the better. This ensures you get a refund if the items that arrive are not as the were described or if they do not arrive at the promised date. You will also get the shipping charges and the expected delivery date in the website.

What do you do ukifind out the items described aren’t the one’s you wanted. Unarudisha then unapewa refund ama?

Yes, you ship them back (at your own cost) then get your refund.

Thanks alot for this. Really appreciate it