So you are new to the game and need a few tips for a headstart? I know it may seem chaotic once you start the game, but trust me, everything will start making sense after reading this guide.
In this article, you will find all the important steps you need to take to have a smooth start in Supermarket Together. Get ready to thrive in the game and build a legacy for your new business!
Start With The Essentials
Starting with an empty store, it surely looks a bit scary. Especially when you are not sure what to focus on. In Supermarket Together you only need to buy a couple of product shelves, a checkout, lights, and storage shelves for your products.
It is really important not to spend all your money once you start the game, since you will need to spend on running costs, such as rent, electricity, etc.
Install Storage Shelves In Your Storage Unit
Organization is key when it comes to your storage unit. It may not seem as important at the beginning, but trust me, once you keep adding products you will come face-to-face with the ultimate chaos.
I prefer to buy the labeled storage shelves because they help me see better where everything is. You can also try to color-code the shelves once you add more products to your store. For example, keep the black boxes together as these are designated for soda drinks, Green boxes are for teas, Brown boxes are for cupboard items, etc.
Recycle Empty Boxes
You will see, that there is a trash bin next to your store. You can use this one to throw away the empty boxes you have. Although, it’s way better to go across the street and use the recycle bin. For every box you recycle there, you will gain some dollars back!! Who doesn’t want to earn some extra cash anyway?
BONUS INFO: It is important to keep in mind, that once you start hiring empoyees they will not recycle the empty boxes. They will only use the green bin next to your store. So it's better if you recycle them instead of your employees.
Mark Up And Round Up Product Prices
Making a profit is very important when you have a supermarket or any other business. So, once you buy the products you want and display them on the shelves, grab the price gun and markup your prices.
You can price them for even double the market price but it’s safer to mark them up by 40-50%. Otherwise, many customers will complain about the price and won’t buy them.
Another important tip when it comes to pricing is to always round up your prices. This will help a ton when you are using the till and you have to give change to customers. This offers less frustration for you and more profits for your business, it’s a win-win situation. Don’t you agree?
Empty Boxes Can Transfer Products
This is my personal savior. You will see for yourself, that some products are designated for half shelves while others not. Don’t get me wrong. You can put your products on any shelf, what I mean is that some products are bulkier than others, and so they use more space on the shelves.
It took me a while to figure this out, cause I put salt on a double shelf and then I didn’t know how to move it to a half shelf, where it would look better anyway.
You just need to buy an empty box from the same tab you use when you order products or use one empty box from other products you already have in storage. All you need to do is to grab the empty box and right-click the item you want to remove from the shelf. Simple as that!
Keep The Shelves Fully Stocked
The last thing you want is getting complaints from your customers. To avoid that, you need to be fully stocked on the items you have already unlocked. Things are straightforward when it comes to this situation.
No matter what, if you unlocked a product category, you need to be fully stocked on that even if it doesn’t sell well. So always order all the products that are unlocked in your store.
Buy Lights
You will need to get some lighting in your store for various reasons. These are the top three reasons why :
- Customers will see the products faster
- Cahiers will check out faster
- You will minimize the risk of getting robbed
Use The Manager’s Blackboard To Check Your Inventory
I can’t stress this enough! The manager’s blackboard should become your left hand even at the first levels. It will give you access to all the important tools you need, in order to manage the supermarket and later on your employees.
When it comes to your inventory it uses the three-box system. Next to every product you will see three boxes red, yellow, and green. Here is what each color stands for:
- Green: shows the number of products in storage
- Yellow: shows the number of products in boxes
- Red: shows the number of products on shelves
This system will help you figure out what to order for the next day so that you don’t get lost.
Spend Franchise Points Only When You’re Ready
When it comes to Franchise points it is important to remember that you need to spend then, only when you are ready! Meaning, when you have enough money to spend on more shelves for your store and also shelves for storage.
Because, if you unlock the next product category just because you have the franchise points and you don’t display the products in-store, you will have to face the wrath of the clients (a.k.a non-stop complaining).
Don’t Expand Your Store Too Early
If you decide to expand any of your store units early in the game, this will result in high upkeep costs and you don’t want that, especially in the beginning.
Expand only when it is necessary, i.e. when you are running out of space.
Supermarket Together is an amazing simulation game. If you follow these tips you will manage to have a smooth start on your new business adventure. What is your favorite thing to do in the game and is there any other tip you would like to add to our beginner guide? Let me know in the comments down below.
