Retail Sales?

Retail Sales?

Randy Schmitke

8/22/2002

I am doing some research about retail sales within the O&P business
operation and would very much like some feedback from some providers /
business owners in the field. It seems that retail-type activity within an
O&P business can be general categorized into three levels or activity types:
foot and shoe activity, minor low level DME equipment (focused on walking
aids), significant low level DME equipment (increased inventory, higher
volume). In your experience, would you agree with this generalization? At
which level (if at all) does your practice engage in retail-type activity?

If your practice has incorporated any of this type of activity, I would be
very interested in how your operation has been adjusted to make this
efficient and cost-effective. For example, do you have a cash register at
the front counter?, Have you legally-structured the retail activity under a
different company name? How do you market this business -- under the same
company name as the O&P services? Do you have the same practitioners/staff
engaged in retail activity as are engaged in custom O&P activity? What are
the unique challenges with this strategy? Do you feel adding this activity
to your business operation has enhanced your custom O&P services? In what
way?

These are some of the questions that I with regard to this topic. I would
very much appreciate your willingness to share your experiences in response
to these questions, while adding any other pertinent information to your
communications.

Thanks in advance for your knowledge-sharing.

Randy Schmitke, CPA, MBA