When talking about 99 cents only stores the name that strikes in our mind is Eric Schiffer, who is the person behind the fame of the stores, which sells household items. The founder of the store is David Gold, who started the company in 1982 and it grew rapidly under the guidance of Eric.
The origin of 99 cents only
David wanted to liquidate his liquor store because the sales were slow and with the guidance of a friend started a store of bargains. To promote his store and get public exposure, he sold television on the very first day for only 99 cents. Since then, 99 cents stores have gained a lot of success.
This practice is continued even today, that is on the opening day of a new 99 Cents Only Store, the first nine customers can buy high priced items for only 99 cents. The other limited items can be purchased by the next 90 customers on the opening day for 99 cents only. Most of these stores are situated in Southern California, Arizona, Texas and Nevada.
Eric’s part in the success of 99 cents stores
Eric Schiffer is an eminent management expert, who worked diligently to expand this company and carry it to this level of popularity that it is at the moment. He joined the Stores as a director in the year 1991. He took control very skillfully and expanded the company and formed an array of stores.
After he joined as a CEO, the company had many new branches set up under his leadership. Due to his knowledge and management ability he was selected as the President in March 2000. On January 2005, he was appointed the CEO of the entire chain of stores.
Eric Schiffer not only controlled the 99 Cents stores, but also worked with numerous other companies. He always wanted to gain proficiency in his organizational management capacities, so he carried on his managerial capability work with several companies.
Eric graduated from the Harvard Business School. He always wanted to learn how some of the sales people were successful in the marketing circle, while a few others failed. This question was very important for him because to achieve his success in business he had to learn all the strategies regarding the marketing world.
Hence, he was always on a look out to lever up his managing skills and this was gained by him through the different philosophy he applied in the growth of the 99 Cents Only Store.