You’re sure to notice a skid-steer loader or a Bobcat near a construction site, farm, or park. You can use these machines for anything from transporting logistics to pouring cement to leveling land if needed. The total North American skid steer and compact track loader market are projected to be
Building our economy up, one curtain wall at a time For almost 2,000 years, elevators were powered by water wheels, animals or people. Elevator technology expanded hugely in the 19th Century, and the invention of an elevator safety device in 1853, by American inventor Elisha Otis, increased public faith in
The legacy of one of Salford’s most revered sons will be immortalised in a new apartment block, which will bring more than 100 affordable homes to the city. Housing association Salix Homes has announced its new high-rise development in Trinity will be named Artifex in a nod to Canon Peter
UK residential and commercial property developer Godwin Developments has announced the promotion of James Mulcare to the position of head of residential capital markets. In his new senior role, James will support the company’s strategy on acquisitions, development and funding for all its residential schemes – including urban and suburban
Leeds engineers RWO has won a contract to support the proposed development of a major mixed-use industrial development in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Gateway 36 is part of a 127-acre development located on the site of the former Rockingham Colliery, which is close to Junction 36 of the M1. Harworth Group,
One in three responders to cross-industry survey say payment delays are threatening viability of business Government facing mounting pressure to address administrative failings A survey of industry members involved in the installation of technologies eligible under the Green Homes Grants scheme has reinforced claims that administrative delays are behind the
When it comes to constructing the perfect building, you need to install the vital components and systems. You can find many examples of building systems and components such as electrical, plumbing, fire protection, ventilation, and HVAC. However, they can only operate whenever contractors provide enough protection from many factors. One
Deciding to close doors can be a defining moment for retail stores. It signals the end of its existence and the beginning of its liquidation process. Businesses use liquidation stock procedures as an exit route to efficiently do away with their leftover stock and pay off any remaining obligations before
You’re sure to notice a skid-steer loader or a Bobcat near a construction site, farm, or park. You can use these machines for anything from transporting logistics to pouring cement to leveling land if needed. The total North American skid steer and compact track loader market are projected to be around $9 billion by 2024. But, you may not know that they come in various sizes. So there are small and large Bobcats. If you’re looking to buy a small Bobcat, then this article is for you. Learn everything you need to know. Manufacturers and Dealers Most people refer to skid-steer loaders simply as Bobcats. But Bobcat is a brand and not a product category. There are dozens of other companies out there that offer skid-steer loaders. The brands include John Deere, Caterpillar, Gehl, JCB, among others. The companies work with independent dealers. When looking for the best small skid-steer loader, you need to consider both the manufacturer and the dealer. The manufacturer matters because it is responsible for the product’s quality, while the dealer matters because they will help you find the right options. With that said, the subsequent sections will help you answer how to pick the right Bobcat for your purpose. Consider the Size Since you’re looking for a small skid-steer loader, you first should consider the size. The loaders range from compact machines weighing about 1500 pounds to heavy-duty loaders weighing over 2,500 pounds. When selecting the right size, you should inspect your open spaces. Do you have adequate open spaces to accommodate large machinery? If not, then moving a large skid-steer loader through tight spaces could slow down your work. Small loaders are perfect for demolition work, farm use, and transportation. They can also fit into the build-up urban area conditions. When using a small machine, you’ll get less than 50 horsepower. If you need more horsepower, then it’s better to opt for a large or mid-range Bobcat. So consult with your dealer about the size. Vertical Lift or Radial Lift Irrespective of whether you’re buying a small Bobcat or a large one, you need to decide whether you need a vertical lift or a radial lift. If your purpose is to do more grading work or dirt work, then a radial design is ideal. Due to their lift path, they also have superior mid-height reach. But if your job mostly involves loading, carrying, and transporting stuff, then Bobcats with vertical lift are great. Rated Operating Capacity You must look at the Rate Operation Capacity or ROC if you’re purchasing a small Bobcat. ROC defines the amount of load a skid steer can handle before tipping. Smaller units generally have a lower ROC. So you need to ensure that Bobcat’s ROC is higher than the work requirement. Type of Attachments The skid-steer loaders work with a variety of attachments. So you need to check the type of attachments you’d need in both the short term and long term. These requirements will determine the size of the machine and the horsepower. Small loaders have less horsepower, and hence they can drive only a handful of attachments. The small capacity also affects the hydraulic power you can generate. So if you’re buying a smaller Bobcat, your requirements shouldn’t be too big. What to Look for In Dealers? Last but not least, you should consider the reputation of the dealer you’re going to buy the Bobcat from. Ideally, they should have a good reputation and years of experience servicing the loaders. Furthermore, it’d be helpful if the dealer is located in the same town or city as you are. So that whenever a need arises, you don’t have to drive long to get it done. So whether you’re purchasing a small Bobcat or a large one, it’s essential to keep the above things in mind. With proper maintenance, they will surely last decades.
Building our economy up, one curtain wall at a time For almost 2,000 years, elevators were powered by water wheels, animals or people. Elevator technology expanded hugely in the 19th Century, and the invention of an elevator safety device in 1853, by American inventor Elisha Otis, increased public faith in the technology. When his company then created an elevator brake, it opened up a new possibility — skyscrapers. Here Steve Parkes, key account manager at leading fastening and fixing supplier TFC, discusses the current drivers in the skyscrapers market and shares quick tips for curtain walling success. The first skyscraper was built in Chicago in 1885 — the Home Insurance Building. While it is no longer standing today, you can look across the skyline of almost any major city and see its successors. Picture London. Its skyline boasts a myriad of skyscrapers, including a host of distinctive glass towers; the Cheesegrater, the Walkie-Talkie, the Gherkin and the Shard, to name a few. Glass curtain walling is an attractive glazing option for building designers looking to create the memorable, attractive facades that we expect to join the skyline in the future. Flash forward The construction of glass-walled high-rise buildings is popular both for commercial and residential use. Construction was one of a few sectors that stayed buoyant throughout 2020, and could be a key way to build economic growth. As the work from home boom quietens down, millions will return to city-centre offices. And they won’t just be in London — recent growth in Northern business, fuelled by HS2, is seeing major firms like HSBC and KPMG open offices in cities including Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham. The public sector is also contributing to the levelling up of the country — the Government plans to shift 22,000 civil servants out of London by 2030. In the residential high rise market, the UK housing market remains strong and in cities with a high population density, continuing to build up means we can house more people while using up less green space. A 2019 estimate found that London had 541 towers in the pipeline, 90 per cent of which were residential. Growing student populations are also increasing demand for purpose-built accommodation, which must be well-located and high-quality to attract students. This cocktail of driving factors means we are likely to see new entrants to the skylines of many British cities in the coming years. Building up efficiently Construction companies and glazing professionals are well versed in the importance of efficiency and work hard to avoid project delays. However, there are still some sticking points — rework remains one of the highest costs to construction businesses. In curtain walling projects, accuracy is key — glass is an unforgiving material, which means it has to perfectly line up with the fixing brackets in the building’s structure. If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of misalignment, there are limited options. You can either modify your fixing bracket and/or re-drill the anchor positions to compensate, both of which are time consuming and therefore expensive. The good news for installers and construction companies is that there is another way available. The alignment washer; a fast, simple, low-cost product that enables flexible on-site fixing for M10, M12, M16 and M20 bolts. It has oversized or slotted holes to provide leeway when lining up the bracket and anchor location as well as a mechanism, to tighten it down before locking off. Its clever design means it can even be used upside down! Once in position, the washer can be permanently locked into place with a high-strength, rapid setting construction resin. Due to the efficient locking off process, some contractors use alignment washers to lock off all brackets, whether there are alignment issues or not. There are two types of alignment washer available. The first is rectangular — for use with cast in channels, using a slotted hole to provide ± 25mm adjustment in one direction. Alternatively, circular washers are suitable for a variety of applications including stick curtain walling, balustrades and balconies, offering a ± 15mm adjustment in either direction. Both are hot dip galvanised for long term corrosion protection. A number of prestigious developments across the UK have alignment washers at the core of their design. Once again, picture the London skyline — many of these offices, hospitals, apartments, universities and Government buildings have benefitted from this unique solution. As UK construction works hard to build back better, it is good news for designers, project managers, architects and structural engineers, who, armed with this knowledge, can easily solve a common cause of project delays. For more information on construction fasteners and fixings, visit https://www.tfc.eu.com/products/fasteners-fixings/construction-fixings/.
The legacy of one of Salford’s most revered sons will be immortalised in a new apartment block, which will bring more than 100 affordable homes to the city. Housing association Salix Homes has announced its new high-rise development in Trinity will be named Artifex in a nod to Canon Peter Green, who was a rector at the nearby St Philips Church, as well as a published writer and pacifist who was passionate about fighting social injustice. During the First World War and until the 1950s, Canon Peter Green wrote a weekly column in The Manchester Guardian – which was later to become The Guardian – under the pen name ‘Artifex’. He wrote about pacifism and compassion as well as articles about social injustice and women’s suffrage and is fondly remembered as a ‘real man of the people who loved the Salford people’. The 11-storey residential building forms part of the £22.5m Canon Green Campus development in Trinity, which has seen 1960s tower block Canon Green Court completely transformed and modernised for its existing residents, along with neighbouring apartment block Westminster House. Sue Sutton, chief executive at Salix Homes, said: “The legacy of Peter Green is already recognised in Salford, with Canon Green Court being named in his honour back when it was built during the 1960s. “We wanted to pay our own tribute to this much-respected Salford son whose fight against social injustice represents our own beliefs and values at Salix Homes and our ethos to deliver high-quality, affordable housing for everyone. This is even more pertinent in an area of Salford that has seen little to no new affordable housing for decades. “The Artifex will bring 108 desperately-needed affordable homes for people in Salford, at a time of a housing crisis. Peter Green was incredibly progressive for his time and very vocal against social injustice. He was passionate in his calls to prioritise housing for all and much of what he said all those years ago, still resonates today, so we felt naming the tower block in his honour is a fitting tribute to his memory.” Canon Peter Green was born in 1871 and served as the Rector at St Philips Church from 1911 – 1951, serving through two world wars in what was then a deprived dockyard community. He died in 1961. He dedicated his life to supporting impoverished communities and used his platform as religious commentator at The Manchester Guardian to speak out against war, hate, injustice and racism. He also wrote 38 books and served as a Chaplain to the King. During one column he penned in 1944 he spoke about the importance of prioritising housing as part of the Government’s post-war recovery and rebuilding plans. In it he said: “What is the good of building magnificent schools in which children can spend five hours a day for five days a week if the rest of their time when awake has to be spent in the street because their houses are holes to sleep in not homes to live in. “When the time comes for action, let stately civic centres and the repair of cathedrals and churches, and large hotels, and super cinemas, and everything else, give place in the competition for money, man-power and materials, to homes for the people.” This year marks the bicentenary of The Guardian, and The John Rylands Library, which houses The Guardian archives, will be celebrating the 200th anniversary with a special exhibition. Dr Janette Martin, modern history archivist (special collections) at John Rylands Library, which is part of The University of Manchester, said: “The University of Manchester Library Special Collections is proud to hold the archives of The Manchester Guardian. These include letters from the much-admired religious correspondent ‘Artifex’ – a well-known champion of social justice, compassion and decent housing. “Canon Peter Green’s weekly column under the pseudonym Artifex ran from the First World War to the 1950s shedding light on some of the hardships faced by Salford people in the first half of the twentieth century. “This year The Guardian celebrates its bicentenary, so the naming of the Artifex building by Salix Homes is a very fitting tribute to his memory during a very special anniversary year.” The Canon Green Campus enjoys an incredibly rich history, and the new Artifex block is built on the site of the old Blackfriars Road Baths, which were demolished during the 1970s. Ms Sutton added: “The site’s rich history means it’s played a central role in the lives of Salford people over the years and the next chapter for the site will deliver the largest affordable housing scheme in the area, so we’re proud to be building the much-needed homes that Salford desperately needs.” Salix Homes contractors Willmott Dixon are currently onsite and the Artifex block is expected to be complete this Spring. Once complete, the block will comprise of 108 one and two-bedroom affordable apartments, which will be available under the Rent to Buy scheme for expressions of interest from March. Willmott Dixon also carried out major improvement works to the refurbishment of Westminster House and Canon Green Court, which included new kitchens, bathrooms, heating systems, sprinkler systems and exterior re-facing and insulation. The new Artifex apartment block has been partially funded thanks to a £3.8million grant from Homes England.
UK residential and commercial property developer Godwin Developments has announced the promotion of James Mulcare to the position of head of residential capital markets. In his new senior role, James will support the company’s strategy on acquisitions, development and funding for all its residential schemes – including urban and suburban Build to Rent (BTR), purpose-built student accommodation, affordable homes, and senior living developments. The promotion follows a period of rapid expansion for Godwin, which saw the appointment of the industry heavyweights Owen Michaelson and Lindsay McCombe, to the positions of London regional chairman and senior development director respectively, within the past ten months. Stephen Pratt, board director at Godwin Developments, said: “We are really pleased to have James heading our residential capital markets function. This promotion recognises his achievements and increased involvement with institutional investors and capital markets in the past 12 months. It also complements his continued focus on the BTR market and the delivery of property development projects that align with investors’ requirements.” In his national position, James will work with the firm’s land and development teams, as well as investors and BTR operators to grow Godwin Development’s residential portfolio and secure additional funding and investment sales across the UK. Commenting on his new appointment, James said: “I am delighted to take on this new and important senior role at Godwin Developments at a time when the appetite for residential assets across the sector is on the rise. Residential investment – and particularly BTR – is a key focus for us as we seek to deliver individual assets and portfolio opportunities for domestic and international institutional investors. “While the PBSA sector is a more mature market in the UK, the BTR – and especially single-family BTR sector – continues to grow rapidly and is at a very exciting stage. Moving forward, we will continue to follow the evolving demands of both occupiers and investors – providing a pipeline of secure long term investment opportunities for investors as well as high-quality homes and attractive communities for residents across a spectrum of tenures.” As a qualified member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, James joined Godwin Developments three years ago from MCR Property Group, where he focused on acquisitions and disposals, particularly developing their emerging PRS strategy. Prior to this, James worked in investment and asset management with the likes of LaSalle Investment Management and JLL. Stephen added: “Thanks to our in-house expertise and national coverage, we are well-positioned to provide both urban and suburban schemes in and around key UK towns and cities with strong economies and good social infrastructure, to support the ambitions of our institutional partners. “James has been an invaluable member of the team since joining us, contributing significantly to the growth of the business. We wish him every success in his new role and look forward to continuing to work closely with him in the future.” Godwin Developments is currently progressing a number of residential schemes across the country, including suburban BTR schemes in Doncaster, Nottingham and Ely which will see the creation of 269 single family BTR homes, as well as further urban BTR, PBSA and mixed-use projects in Sheffield, Nottingham, Derby, Worcester, and Bolton. For further information on Godwin Developments, visit https://www.godwingroup.co.uk/developments/.
Leeds engineers RWO has won a contract to support the proposed development of a major mixed-use industrial development in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Gateway 36 is part of a 127-acre development located on the site of the former Rockingham Colliery, which is close to Junction 36 of the M1. Harworth Group, one of the UK’s largest land and property regeneration companies, is developing the site in a move that will provide in excess of 1 million sq. ft. of modern commercial space, generating hundreds of new jobs. RWO, based in Park Place in Leeds city centre, will be providing civil and structural engineering services to support the design and build of the first three buildings which when completed in spring 2022, will provide more than 100,000 sq. ft. of modern commercial space. Plans for the scheme will be submitted to Barnsley Borough Council for reserved matters approval later this spring with an anticipated onsite construction start date in summer 2021. Currently employing 19 people, this is the latest contract success for RWO, which has seen revenues exceed forecasted turnover of £1.75m in the past 12 months and a raft of new work secured in the last three months, including designs for Highways England maintenance depots. Andrew Fairburn, head of RWO’s Leeds office, said: “This is another prestigious project for us, reflecting our ability to take a strategic view of investment projects from an engineering perspective for clients while delivering high quality infrastructure and detailed design work. “We continue to develop our commercial offering and this latest success comes at a time when we will see even more growth in 2021 as we continue to secure new contracts across the region and the UK.” All three phases of Gateway 36, alongside nearby employment and residential land have been unlocked as part of a £17.1m funding package from the Sheffield City Region Investment Fund (SCRIF). It is estimated that the move will support the creation of 2,500 jobs when completed. Robert Cole, project manager at Harworth Group, said Gateway 36 is an important scheme for the region, and added: “RWO, who have impressed with their technical expertise and experience, will be a key partner for this project, ensuring the development is delivered on time and to the highest quality standards as construction rolls out.”
One in three responders to cross-industry survey say payment delays are threatening viability of business Government facing mounting pressure to address administrative failings A survey of industry members involved in the installation of technologies eligible under the Green Homes Grants scheme has reinforced claims that administrative delays are behind the low deployment of a £1.5billion worth of vouchers, with more than 100,000 vouchers applied for and millions of pounds worth of work already undertaken by installers. To date, only 20,000 vouchers have been issued and even fewer payments for completed work have been made. The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), Solar Energy UK, Renewable Energy Assurance Ltd (REAL) and the Home Insulation and Energy Systems Quality Assured Contractors Scheme (HIES) are calling on the Government to implement a four-point plan to address the issues in the scheme: Immediate acceleration of payments and processing of vouchers to address installers’ cashflow concerns and increase pace of installations for consumers A greater administrative role established for the Microgeneration Certification Scheme, which has the expertise and existing relationships with installers, auditors and established consumer bodies in the zero-carbon home retrofitting market Greater transparency of the auditing process – particularly the cost criteria of products and installation works should be made visible A commitment in the upcoming Budget to use all of the underspent 2020/21 budget in future years through a longer-term programme of zero-carbon retrofitting until the end of this parliament, applying lessons learned from the successful Local Authority Delivery scheme The four industry bodies surveyed 194 members, yielding the following results: Almost three-quarters (73%) of survey responders have completed work under the Green Homes Grant. The remaining installers identify concerns with the operation of the scheme as their main reason for not participating Of this group who are yet to be convinced to take part, the majority (72%) state that they are waiting to see if improvements can be made to the turnaround of payments, before they will reconsider their involvement Of those installers already working under the scheme, over three quarters (76% are ‘concerned about the time it takes to receive voucher payments’ Over a third (35%) of responders state that delays to scheme payments, is now threatening the viability of their businesses Over half (51%) of installers state that they have hired new people, given an expectation that the scheme would generate a significant volume of new enquiries Over a third (34%) said they were unlikely to retain these new staff, unless significant improvements are made to the operation of the scheme, including the flow of payments A further fifth (17%) of installers state that they have already let their recent new hires go as given issues with working with the voucher scheme MCS chief executive Ian Rippin said: “The Green Homes Grant has good intentions, but it has been over-engineered to the point where it is now significantly affecting how our installers operate. Delays to payments are especially damaging and we are calling for consumer incentives like this to be simplified to enable renewable energy businesses to do what they do best, without worrying about their financial health.” Solar Energy UK chief executive Chris Hewett said: “We are keen to see the Green Homes Grants scheme made a success. The government needs to work with industry to make the process simpler and clearer for installers and consumers alike. Payments for completed work must be made without further delay, and any unspent funds recommitted in following years. If this government is serious about driving a green economic recovery it has to put its money where its mouth is.” REAL CEO Virginia Graham said: “The Green Homes Grant scheme has successfully piqued the public’s interest and has great potential to deliver green home upgrades at scale. But installer confidence is essential if this is to be realised. We therefore urge Government to take heed of these survey results by simplifying and rationalising the voucher redemption process and by rolling over any unspent funds.” HIES chief executive Faisal Hussain said: “The results of the survey are a real concern because of the delay in customers receiving vouchers and installers getting paid for completed work. Furthermore, consumers who have paid a deposit could be in danger of losing it if their chosen installer ceases to trade. We want to work with the government and the scheme administrator to help ensure that consumers and installers are not severely impacted and would welcome a meeting to discuss the findings and potential solutions in more detail.” The government has faced mounting pressure to address the administrative failings of the scheme in recent weeks from both industry and politicians, with the Environmental Audit Committee’s 3rd Parliamentary report calling for the scheme to “be urgently overhauled and extended to provide greater long-term stimulus to the domestic energy efficiency sector.” [2]
When it comes to constructing the perfect building, you need to install the vital components and systems. You can find many examples of building systems and components such as electrical, plumbing, fire protection, ventilation, and HVAC. However, they can only operate whenever contractors provide enough protection from many factors. One way buildings can protect them is by installing access doors. Even if it assures efficient protection, other building owners might say otherwise because they have no idea how it works. If you don’t have enough knowledge about access doors, you can find several reasons why installing them is crucial. 1. Protect Components Effectively As mentioned a while ago, building systems and components need adequate protection from possible elements such as temperament and damage from fires, moisture, etc. Most building components like electrical wires should not come into contact with water as much as possible because it can cause significant building problems. Many building fires have started before because of moisture penetrating and passing through electrical wires, circuit breakers, and other parts of the electrical system. If you don’t have access doors within your building yet, don’t waste any time and have contractors install them as quickly as possible. Once you have them installed, expect no severe problems will happen to your building. 2. Keep Everyone Safe in the Building Contractors will always hide components and systems behind walls, ceilings, and floors because it’s an eyesore and can become a nuisance, mostly when many people walk around. You might encounter several building tenants’ complaints when you have exposed plumbing pipes or electrical wires within your building. A time may come that they will cause accidents like causing people to trip over it. What’s excellent about access doors is they hide them most of the time, providing a safer space for people to walk around. The access doors can even prevent systems like water pipes from getting out. If the pipes suddenly burst, water can gush out in the open and create a slippery surface. Thankfully, you can install access doors with a gasket to prevent water from seeping through the surface. 3. Provide Convenient Access Behind Surfaces Since most building components and systems are behind surfaces, maintenance personnel might have difficulty accessing them. In most instances, they will have no choice but to damage the surface to access and work on the system behind, causing you to pay more for building expenses. But when you have access doors installed within your building, they won’t have to destroy any surface since they can simply open the door and close it once they finish doing the job. Apart from access doors for walls, you can also install aluminum roof hatches if you have technicians accessing your building’s roof frequently. As long as there’s space behind a surface that gets accessed, the access doors can provide safe and easy passage all the time. 4. Become an Alternative for Storage You might have a vault inside the office that you want to hide. You have the usual cover-it-with-a-portrait technique that most spy movies show everyone. Using that trick may not be as effective anymore since anyone can check behind paintings. You don’t have to fret because you can use access doors as an alternative for storage. You can have the vault placed in any area behind your wall’s office and then have an access door installed. You should get access doors that match the walls if you want to make it appear almost invisible. There are even access doors with a thicker door if you want to ensure no one can quickly access your vault. 5. Several Applications If you have enough access doors on your interior walls, you should note that there are other areas where contractors install the components. Examples of areas are the floors and exterior walls, so installing a plain access door will not cut it. These areas need specific access doors to get the right kind of protection. Take Away When you need to install access doors on your building’s exterior areas, they need to be weather-resistant because of the constant exposure to rain, snow, weather, etc. And for components found underneath floors, they need floor hatches because they can withstand pressure from getting stepped on. Your contractor will usually tell you what access door type you need, depending on which systems get access the most by maintenance personnel. Now that you know several reasons about the importance of access doors, the next step is to choose a reliable access door supplier such as Best Roof Hatches. You should always choose high-quality construction materials, and you should never exempt access doors.
Deciding to close doors can be a defining moment for retail stores. It signals the end of its existence and the beginning of its liquidation process. Businesses use liquidation stock procedures as an exit route to efficiently do away with their leftover stock and pay off any remaining obligations before calling it quits and filing for bankruptcy. Retail stores undertake liquidation proceedings with one final attempt to inform the public it’s going out of business. The huge closing sign becomes its last-ditch effort to dispose of merchandise for some profit before eventually retiring the business. When retailer stores close their doors to the public, they unlock other channels to unload inventory. They no longer sell items in pieces to consumers but instead offer them as package deals and bulk to interested back channels planning to resell them online or in flea markets and thrift shops. Where Stock Goes Retailers who still have a lot of inventory left after their final closing out sale need to dispatch of them as soon as possible as these goods’ value will just continue to depreciate. They also need to remove all of these products before their lease expires, so they use several means to dispose of their remaining merchandise through: Post-Closing Sale After customers scour aisles for best deals, hosting a post-closing sale allows retailers to sell inventory in bulk. This way, they can get rid of their merchandise at markdown prices to provide considerable profit. Another difference between the closing out and post-closing sale is that the latter sets a minimum amount for purchases. It also specifies operating hours when the wholesale prices are available. Other alternatives for post-closing sales include selling online through the retail store’s website or via e-commerce sites, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace. Selling closing out merchandise online can also allow flea market vendors, nonprofits, and thrift stores to take advantage of the discounts and resell them back to consumers for profit. Liquidation Auction If there is still stock remaining, retailers can organize a business-to-business liquidation auction or use this online auctioneer to dispose of it. They can host online auctions for retail liquidation stock and sell them in pallets or truckloads, making disposal quick and efficient. Employee Shopping Day Retailers going out of business can also reward their employees and relatives with discounts and allot a special shopping day to enjoy the store’s products. This offer serves as a farewell incentive for staff and a token for their immeasurable contribution to the company. Return Products to Vendors There are times when vendors allow retail stores to return products. While these sell at prices lower than what retail stores initially paid, selling them back to the vendor is advantageous. It allows retailers to unload part of their inventory while vendors may be more than willing to accept product returns to resell them to other customers. Contact Competitors Contacting competitors is also one way retail stores can dispose of part of their remaining items. They can also offer resale and thrift shops their merchandise and have them place bids for the items they want. This way, businesses can profit from its closing by assuming products they can use in their own companies or establishments. Donate to Charity Donating leftovers to charitable organizations helps retailers distribute their products in a humanitarian way. These organizations can use donations of clothes, shoes, and appliances to help impoverished individuals and communities. They can even use your donated items to raise money to support their causes. What’s good about donating to charity is that retail stores can obtain receipts from beneficiaries and use them for tax purposes. Apart from the tax break, donations elevate business by helping retail stores fulfill their social responsibility to the community in spite of the closure. Sell to New Owner There are also instances when retail stores do not close entirely but rather regroup by transferring ownership to another business entity. As one of the steps in dissolving the business, the retailer or owner, under the guidance of a business attorney or an accountant, can sell inventory to the new owner as a part of their turn-over agreement. Conclusion Business closures pose several challenges for stock disposal. Retail stores need to undergo several sales methods to effectively dispatch remaining inventory. In-store and online closing out sales help reaps profits despite discounted rates, while post-closing and liquidation auctions provide ways to sell merchandise in bulk. Selling leftover stock to new owners or competitors and returning them to vendors ensures that products are disposed of properly. Retail stores can also use this opportunity to acknowledge their employees’ immense contributions by holding a special shopping day. At the same time, it can fulfill its social obligation by giving away products and items to support charitable causes. Retail stocks make their way to alternate market venues despite the physical store closing its doors. Although such events are always sad, products will eventually make their way back to the market as resale items on online sites, flea markets, and thrift shops. Now that’s something customers can smile about.
