At School Spirit Store we believe it is never too early to learn valuable skills that will prepare students for life after school. Student-run school stores are the perfect place for students to learn a work ethic and to develop their work place skills. The following are some potential “real life” skills that students will acquire and take with them from their experiences running their school …
Jan 03, 2019 · Pro tip: Have older students apply for the jobs, giving them résumé and interview practice. 9. Advertise your store. This is another great cross-curricular learning activity. Have students write persuasive ads or commercials in English class. Then get the art students to design posters to post around school.
Apr 05, 2013 · Most Importantly: Have Fun. Enjoy the spirit of the project. Don’t get stressed out or bogged down with the details. Let the kids sail the ship; you just provide the map to do so. In the end you’ll have a successful school store, gain immeasurable experience for the kids, and help promote school spirit and morale among the entire student ...
Whether you are a teacher, principal, or PTA member starting a store as a classroom resource or as a school fundraising opportunity, this guide is for you. Learn. 1. The Benefits of School Stores. 2. 5 School Store Myths Debunked. 3. Who Can Run a School Store? The Nuts and Bolts. 4. Starting Your School Store. 5. Staffing Your School Store. 6 ...
Rank | Company | 2018 retail sales (billions) |
---|---|---|
1 | Walmart | $387.66 |
2 | Amazon.com | $120.93 |
3 | The Kroger Co. | $119.70 |
4 | Costco | $101.43 |
Although you’ll want to involve students as much as you can, you will need at least one adult to manage things. In some schools, the store is run by a specific class (e.g., a high school accounting or marketing class, a middle school math class, or even an upper elementary class), and the teacher ...
Other school-store supplies you might need include calculators, signage, and shelving. You’ll need a cash box that locks and some small bills and change to get things started. Will you issue receipts? You’ll need a receipt book and pens. Remember to get an account and inventory ledger, too, or use QuickBooks Online —it’s free for teachers and students (more on that below).
If you don’t already have a supplier for these items, there are plenty of sites online that do promotional printing at reasonable prices. Other popular items for a school store include novelty items, like small toys, scented pencils, or colorful erasers; snacks and bottled water; and basic school supplies, like pens and crayons.
Like real estate agents say, location is everything. Many stores operate in or near the school cafeteria, since every student winds up there at some point during the day. The school library can be another great choice. The lobby or main office is also a prime location. Remember that you’ll need room for all your stock as well as a display area and a space to serve as a counter (a table is fine) for purchases.
Price the items. First things first: It’s entirely okay for your school store to make a profit. In fact, that makes it a better learning experience for the students involved! Raise money for something your school needs or plan to donate proceeds to charity.
Consider who will need to be available at these times—high school kids may not always need an adult by their sides, but younger kids will definitely need a teacher or parent there when the store is open. Pro tip: Offer students and parents the chance to place orders in advance via a paper or online form.
Pro tip: New to QuickBooks? With online courses and tutorials, the program is easy to learn for students and teachers alike. Plus, educators who register with Intuit Education can access additional free curriculum plus one-on-one guidance from the Intuit Education team.
Students are key in staffing your store. They’ll learn valuable lessons and help promote interest and excitement in your store. Come up with different job assignments, such as cashier, stock, inventory, advertising etc. Create job descriptions and help students gain experience in all areas.
It’s as important for a school store as in real estate. If you don’t have a designated spot for your store, it can be as easy as setting up a table in a hot location. Think about high traffic areas such as busy hallways, lunchrooms, or activity areas.
Kids can create posters to hang throughout the school. Send printouts home in school communications folders, or advertise in the school newsletter. Offer specials and promotions each week or month. Sell gift certificates that parents can purchase for students or teachers. (Don’t forget, your store can be a great resource for teachers needing last minute supplies too!).
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"When starting a student-run store, start with a goal. It will keep students focused," advised Spear. "Be sure to give students a little bit of independence from one another and from the teacher or administrator overseeing the project. Students show pride in their work when they feel as though they each have contributed to the success of the business."
A school store, however, is more than a "convenience store;" its she lves also are stocked with the materials for building academic and lifelong learning skills. Included: Tips, resources for running school-based businesses. Poster board, candy bars, pens, notebooks -- all are common wares on school store shelves.
Hanman's DECA students learn the inner workings of a business. "They must deal with cash, shortages, overages, inventory issues, and customer complaints," she explained. "They take that knowledge on to college, with hands-on experience rather than book driven business concepts. They know whether they can run a business in the future."
Poster board, candy bars, pens, notebooks -- all are common wares on school store shelves. School-based stores offer more than just a place to shop for snacks or school supplies, however; they also boost students' academic and life skills through real entrepreneurial experience.
Spear summarized the value of a school-based enterprise: "Schools should be excited to feature student-run stores, because they not only bring together students and teachers, but they also have the ability to collectively blend the different aspects of the curriculum in an applicable manner. I believe that students are more excited about learning when they know they will use the information in the near future."
"Schools are a great place to start a business," encouraged Spear. "Students market products to their peers and the school provides them with a supportive environment. Entrepreneurial ventures combine skills acquired in math, social studies, language arts, and science classes."
School stores offer students more than school supplies. They are in the business of teaching entrepreneurial skills and financial management , too. No matter what grade your students are in, plan to use the school store in your lessons so students can use the theories taught in the curriculum in real-world applications. From mathematic basics to complex business concepts, school stores teach a variety of skills learners will use for a lifetime. Plus, providing students with the opportunity to work at the school store can enrich the learning experience further.
Students in high school can further understand business concepts by taking a closer look at the market. In learning to define their target market for the school store, they will need to understand their school's demographics. Have students test the theory that 80% of the school store's business will come from 20% of their customers. Are these customers the target market? Older students can research the market to see if new products will appeal to segments of the market. For instance, a part of the market may show a demand for school apparel. Students in band may need strings or reeds for their instruments. Art students may need pastels or sketchbooks for their work. Would it be cost-effective and profitable for the school store to carry such items? In the same way, students can learn to notice changes in their classmates' behaviors to anticipate the change in demand for a product. For example, a new movie may increase demand for items with characters on them. Consumer behaviors could also change when tests are on the calendar. Scheduled exams may increase the demand for #2 pencils and cap erasers. How will students manage the school store inventory and keep the price per unit fair but profitable?