How to Open a Tea Shop Cleverly

With the vigorous business activities and the rise of leisure consumption, the tea industry is quietly occupying the market and, under the temptation of substantial profits, is facing increasingly fierce competition. Despite such intense competition, however, tea shops, tea houses, and teahouses continue to emerge like mushrooms after rain. According to Mr. Wang, a friend who has been in the business for many years, operating a tea shop is different from running a tea house. His insights into the art of running a tea shop may be of some reference value to those who are preparing to enter the industry.

Firstly, commercial operations should prioritize foot traffic. Mr. Wang said that so-called foot traffic refers to paying attention to the commercial atmosphere of the store location, which should target the specific product of tea and not simply be equated with general commodity operations. His view is that there can be several considerations for the location of a tea shop: for example, bustling commercial centers, leisure and entertainment streets, near hotels and restaurants, and residential areas. Different locations target different customers, and the range of products offered should also vary accordingly. For instance, in busy commercial areas, the quality of tea should be higher, as customers tend to pay more attention to brands, so high-end famous teas will have an advantage. At the same time, relevant tea sets and tea books should be provided. In residential areas, the focus of tea sales should be on it as a necessity for residents' consumption. However, the style of tea shop operations should differ according to the different levels of residents, catering to consumers at different levels. He believes that the variety of teas in the store should be multi-dimensional, such as offering different grades based on a relatively complete range of varieties.

Secondly, tea is a special commodity, used not only for drinking and health but also imbued with cultural connotations. Therefore, running a tea business requires extensive knowledge of tea. Besides the origin, types, processing, tasting, and appreciation of tea, one must also possess certain knowledge about tea sets and tea culture, which will give strong persuasive power regarding the products and prices being sold.

Thirdly, tea shops should not be limited to just "selling" tea but should integrate appreciation, tea tasting, and tea art. They don't need to be as large-scale as tea houses, but they should try to create an elegant environment, making customers want to buy after tasting.

Fourthly, tea shops should make customers feel refined and natural, creating a sense of intimacy. Ideally, they should appropriately display some attractive calligraphy, paintings, and tea sets.