Brick & Mortar
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Sunday, June 29th, 2008Most gifts stores are pretty much the same as the next. It’s actually kind of rare for me to see a store that really stands out in my mind, and when I do, it’s usually because they’ve either specialized significantly (like horse gifts!) or because something about their store is incredibly unique. It might be an ice cream theme, a huge aquarium, metal roofing, or an all-black storefront, but anything that makes your store stand out (in a manner that’s consistent with the image you want) will definitely help burn your brand into the minds of your customers.
Have you ever seen a store that was incredibly unique and memorable to you? What was it like?
Things I Won’t Carry
Sunday, June 29th, 2008Sometimes in business, knowing what you don’t want is as important as knowing what you do. For instance, I’m open to a lot of diversification in my stores, but you’ll never catch me stocking knitting needles, incontinence supplies , or udder cream. Those items might be useful to someone, but they’re just not appropriate for what I hope to achieve in my retail spaces.
When you have sales people coming in and trying to push their latest lines on you, it can be easy to lose site of your vision for the store. It’s their job to do that, you know. If you spend a little time thinking about what you don’t want to carry, though, you’ll find that it’s a lot easier to get what you DO want.
Selling Medical Devices - Yay or Nay?
Tuesday, June 24th, 2008Should you sell medical devices in your gift store? Given that the population is aging at an alarming rate, and Americans are getting less healthy by the day, it might make sense. In fact, you could go so far as to partner up with a pharmacist the way they did back in the old days. The two of you could sell medical equipment, gifts, cards, and possibly even food to provide a more well-rounded shopping experience. A store here where I live has taken this approach and does extremely well with it.
Researching Products for Your Store
Tuesday, June 24th, 2008One of the hardest parts of getting good products for your store is researching the products and finding the best items in each category. It would be nice if you could simply go to Google and get a list of best diet pills, but in most cases, it’s not going to be that easy.
You want my suggestion? Instead of wasting hours of your own time, outsource it. You can hire an Indian virtual assistant at around $5/hour, and you’ll get the work done while you work on more important things.
Have you ever outsourced? Feel free to leave your stories in the comments.
Themed Gift Stores
Tuesday, June 24th, 2008Does your gift store have a theme? Sometimes, a theme can be exactly what it takes to breathe life into a store that isn’t doing all that well. If you like horses and the outdoors, you could start pushing your store in that direction with accessories and equestrian clothing. If you enjoy cooking and baking, you could start carrying recipe books, dry mixes, and kitchen gadgets.
What do you think? Do you enjoy shopping at themed gift stores?
Promotional Pens for Your Business
Wednesday, June 11th, 2008Does your store use promotional pens or other products? Although I haven’t always been a big fan of them, I recently found myself visiting a store simply because I kept seeing their pens everywhere. Ever since then, I’ve been shopping around looking for the best pens for my own business, all the while encouraging everyone else to get their own.
What do you think? Have you used them before? Do you have a compelling reason not to?
Conference Tips for Small Businesses
Wednesday, June 11th, 2008I know a lot of small businesses skip out on valuable industry events because of the expense, but it’s important to consider how much you’re missing by not going, too. Below, I’ve compiled a few tips I’ve gotten from other small business owners who found a way to make it happen:
-Start looking for flight deals at least 4-6 months in advance. If you can’t, buy your ticket at the last minute.
-Be sure to have enough business cards up front. It’s much cheaper than getting them printed there.
-Try to eat at events. Most conferences have a plethora of events with free food.
-If you’re staying away from the conference hotel, consider renting a car. Taxis get expensive.
Mobile Panels: Room Dividers For Your Business
Thursday, June 5th, 2008Although we’d all like to have the perfect office where rooms are naturally divided perfectly, it’s just not a reality. Even if you construct a building exactly to your specifications, it’s likely you’ll need to move things around at some point.
Rather than re-structuring the rooms to accommodate your changing needs, you can use Mobile Panels
In addition to the 8 foot mobile panels shown, Amazon also has a 6 ft. version (and possibly other room dividers, too). To get a set of mobile panels , visit: Mobile Panels / Room Dividers at Amazon
Professional Restaurant Equipment - Hobart Stand Mixer Bowls
Monday, June 2nd, 2008If you need a mixing bowl for a Hobart mixer, it’s usually best to steer clear of your local commercial restaurant supply company. With a little research, you can actually pick up a large Hobart mixer bowl for the same price you would have paid locally for a smaller mixing bowl. Below, I’ve found several great deals on Hobart mixing bowls. They have 12, 20, 30, 40, 80, and even 140 qt mixer bowls, so you’ll be able to handle almost any kind of project with these.
Personally, just looking at this stuff makes me want to start working in a restaurant or commercial kitchen. Heck, it’s better than living out a real-life Office Space sequel - Office Space Connecticut.
More on Supplements
Friday, May 23rd, 2008If you have a natural foods or health-related store, you may find that dietary supplements are a great way to draw regular traffic. The one thing to be certain of, however, is that you do your research. There’s always a chance that people will be deeply unhappy with something taken internally, so you want to be in a good position to advise them of any potential side effects or warnings. If you’re carrying something like Lipovox, you should know all about it so your customers feel good about you and your store. If you can’t commit that kind of time, it may be an area worth steering clear of.
Should You Franchise?
Friday, May 23rd, 2008A lot of new business owners wonder if they should open franchises, and unfortunately, there’s no universal answer. A franchise can be great for an inexperienced business person who wants a little guidance. Of course, it can also be limiting, as you’re bound to adhere to certain brand standards enforced by your franchise.
If you’re contemplating the move, consider how much freedom you want in your store’s destiny. Also, check out the amount of local advertising your prospective franchise gets. In some cases, you may be able to virtually eliminate marketing responsibilities by going with an established franchises. In others, you’re paying for something that may or may not gain popularity in the future (though that’s kind of a given with going it alone, too).
What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments!
Drawing the Line in Your Store
Friday, May 23rd, 2008When you’re picking wholesalers and products in your store, you may be tempted at times to add products that really don’t fit your store. For instance, maybe you want to start a section on dieting and fit living. As you’re doing some wholesale research, you come across a company that wholesales diet supplements. Even though your store is gift-y, you may be tempted to add things like Phentermine 37.5 mg alongside your balance balls and jump ropes.
Try to resist the urge. Recognize when a product is great for someone else, but not you. Have a plan up front and stick to it.
Bigger & Better? Should You Cater to the Obese?
Friday, May 16th, 2008Lately, it seems like a lot of gift shops are adding products to accommodate larger customers - larger rings and necklaces, plus size clothing, extra wide leg boots, etc. It’s hard to say if that’s the right decision for any given individual or store, but it’s certainly something to consider, given the percentage of the population that’s overweight or obese. It’s actually more than half!
What do you think? Have you made any accommodations? Do you plan to carry plus size products in the future?
Retail Pet Peeves
Friday, May 16th, 2008Even if you don’t realize it, you could be aggravating your customers without even opening your mouth. Most customers have their pet peeves, and some are odd, but there are other things that will drive pretty much everyone nuts. If you’re ignoring customers, talking on your Bluetooth headset, or eating as you check them out, they’re going to get mad.
What are your own pet peeves? Personally, it drives me nuts when salespeople talk your ear off, so it’s something I try to avoid. Leave your thoughts in the comments!
Starting a Book & Reader’s Section
Friday, May 16th, 2008If you run a brick and mortar store, starting a reader’s section can be a great way to increase your sales. It’s tough to compete with the big box stores like Barnes & Noble and Borders, but you can do very well with things like blank journals, reading lights, and reading eyeglasses. These items, combined with a small selection of bestsellers and perenniel favorites, make a great gift section for all seasons. Who doesn’t know an avid reader that they buy gifts for from time to time?
More Brick & Mortar Inspiration
Friday, May 16th, 2008I was traveling recently when I came across a small gift store that had a really unique strategy for getting customers to come in. Instead of constantly advertising, they offered free evening lectures and events hosted by people in the community. They had an evening where a local dermatologist talked about acne treatment, an evening where a local caterer talked about entertaining, and an afternoon where a nearby pre-school teacher talked to parents about teaching their young children before school.
Why is that awesome? Well, people in the community benefit, professionals in the community meet new potential clients, and the store gets foot traffic and exposure. Even better, local publications mentioned their events for FREE because they were helpful, not commercial. Outside of the small time investment, I see no downsides to this technique. What do you think?
Your Small Business Fleet
Tuesday, May 6th, 2008As a small business, you probably have just one or two company vehicles, possibly less if you have employees use their own cars. All the same, you may have heard about gps fleet tracking for keeping track of where your cars are.
My opinion? If you can’t trust your employees, don’t let them drive your company vehicles. Period. In a small business, there’s just no need for an expensive system like that. In a larger business, however, I’m all for it. They’re great when you can’t get close enough to make good judgments without them.
Pet Inventory Inspiration
Tuesday, May 6th, 2008If you have a lot of pet-loving customers, you should definitely look into a variety of pet-related items for your store, even if you’re more of a cards and candles kind of place. Some ideas: doggie snacks, dog perfume, cat toys, pet beds, dog toys, and fancy handbag-style carriers. More than half of all households have pets, so if you already have foot traffic, someone is bound to buy high-quality pet products.
Ever carried an interesting pet product in your store? Let us know in the comments.
Pegging Your Customers
Friday, May 2nd, 2008It may not be politically correct, but a great way to be successful in a small gift shop is to guess what your customers need by doing a quick assessment of them when they walk in. How are they dressed? Do they walk confidently and with purpose? Take a peek out and look at their cars. Do they drive large grandma-cars, or smaller vehicles with car spoilers?
If you can master the art of subtle profiling, you’ll be able to deliver a level of customer service that’s typically reserved for repeat customers. And who wouldn’t want to come back for more of that?
Should You Carry Diet Products?
Friday, May 2nd, 2008Considering that almost everyone wants to lose weight, you may be able to pick up some extra money by cashing in on the diet trend. If your customers know they can get rare and tasty diet treats at your gift shop, they’ll be fairly likely to come back on a regular basis (which is a tough thing for a gift store to accomplish, especially in hard economic times!).
If your clientèle is largely female, consider carrying diet bars, fitness books, or even something like Alli. You may find that it’s a nice sideline.
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