Company background and marketplace

TRUS is a retail business started in 1998 and now has three stores operating under the same banner – the main ‘flagship’ store and two satellite stores (one in Witney and one in Faringdon).

The target market for the merchandise stocked at TRUS is almost any householder and the competition is any other retailer stocking part of the range. TRUS distinguishes itself on breadth of choice, value for money and quality of service. Value for money is likely to be an increasingly important consideration for many sectors of the population.

Our experience and expertise together with our proven lead generation strategies is one of the main reasons for our continued growth. We are now in a position to expand our operation further through a franchise network of high performing individuals.

Key Success Factors

The consistently high profitable trading of the shop has been analysed and the key factors for success identified with a view to establishing a template for others to follow under a franchise arrangement. These include:

• An established effective supply chain
  
• A clear and demonstrably successful merchandising strategy
  
• Proven sales and marketing expertise
  
• Staff training and support processes to support efficient retail management

In general TRUS is able to move into any local area and immediately make an impact. Because of the supplier base there is a wide range of products available so that choice to suit local variations can be made.

TRUS is self service, assisted self service and friendly personal service combined. Because of the very nature of the business the ‘selling’ effort is total. The management and staff are completely immersed in all aspects of the business including selection and ordering of product, receipt and handling of stock, pricing, display and layout – so ultimately they have the knowledge to sell. This is reinforced by the company motto – ‘Need Help? Just Ask’.

TRUS - Products

The shop trades in ‘really useful’ items that are good value i.e. low price but quality goods. The philosophy of TRUS is to stock as many options as possible across a wide merchandise base. TRUS history has proven that more stock means more sales.

The merchandise range gives a minimum of 3000 options in smaller units increasing to 6000 options in larger units.

A large proportion of the product range consists of either well known brands or is sourced from leading national suppliers.

MAIN MERCHANDISE CATEGORIES AND SUBSECTIONS
Category	Examples of Some Subsections
Electrical	Light bulbs, Extension leads, TV leads
Batteries	Standard- Alkaline, Lithium
Smoking sundries	Papers, Filters, Lighters
Home Care	Cleaning, Laundry, Maintenance
Disposables	Microwave, Party, Cooking
Paper	Toilet, Kitchen, Tissues, Napkins
Household plastics	Tip Bins, Lunch boxes, Bowls, Drainers
Kitchen ware	Utensils, Bake ware, Gadgets
Glass ware	Tabletop, Drinking, Oven, Preserving
Wall decoration	Picture frames, Mirrors, Pictures
Household textiles	Bed linen, Towels, Quilts, Pillows
Garden	Planters, Tools, Decorative, Chemicals
Pet	Beds, Toys, Food
Food	Sweets, Biscuits, Tea, Drinks
Stationery	School, Office, Home
DIY	Tools, Car, Decorating
Textiles	Gloves, Socks, Hats, Pants
Bathroom	Mats, Shower curtains, Sundries
Vending racks	Magnets, Tokens, Gifts
Plastic containers	Fixed General storage, Food storage, Collapsible
Body	Hair-care, Lotions, Cosmetics