Sep 18, 2013 | ART Blog
Confused? Here’s how it works…
Many store owners open businesses and buy what they LOVE. Naturally, they then try to sell what they LOVE. Here’s the catch… not every customer loves what they love, and as a result, store owners and retail buyers are left with inventory they adore, but can’t understand why it’s not selling.
When you review your store inventory and plan for your next buy trip, consider the following:
1. What is your #1 selling item?
2. What is your #2, #3, #4 and #5 selling item?
3. Why do you believe these are your top sellers?
4. Why do you think customers have made them your top sellers (note: this is a different question than #3… really think about your customer’s perspective here)
5. What are your top ten worst performing items?
6. Do you love any of your worst performing items?
7. Why?
8. Are you emotionally connected to any of your top or worst selling items?
9. Are you looking for new customers?
10. Do you want to grow your business?
And finally… are you willing to change your buying patterns?
Numbers don’t lie. Track your inventory and sell-thru. What is selling? What isn’t? Buy responsibility to support your customer’s interests – not yours.
Contributed by Nicole Leinbach Reyhle, Founder & Editorial Director of Retail Minded – the nation’s only support for independent businesses both in and out of their stores. Learn more at www.RetailMinded.com.
Sep 17, 2013 | ART Blog
It’s time for school again, which means retailers are gearing up for the holidays, as well. Throw in the end of summer and (possibly) excess inventory from your summer buys, and we’re confident you are pretty busy! To help you plan your month, consider these 3 tips to keep your in-store operations on track and ready to go as the days only get busier in the months ahead (remember, it is approaching holiday season, after all).
1. Identify Your Holiday Decor & Merchandising Plans
For some folks, you have this on the top of your to-do-list and can’t wait to get your holiday windows and in-store displays done. For others, this is a dreaded task that rarely happens on time or with stellar conversations to follow it. Either way, make sure you have everything you need to get your in store displays and window displays done this holiday season. From garland to silver ornament balls to ribbon to Christmas trees, consider what you need to make your store festive and fun. Identify what you already have from seasons in the past and identify what you need for the season ahead. Make a budget to fill in the holes of any new decorations you may need, or get crafty and make your holiday decor by recycling non-traditional decor items. Your ultimate goal? To have everything ready to go so that you can get your store decorated and holiday ready in a breeze (well, you know what we mean).
2. Begin to Promote Your Seasonal Festivities
From Halloween to Thanksgiving to the various holidays that fill December, consider what you will do to get customers into your store. The competition is tough this time of year, so keep this always in mind, as well. Plan ahead to organize some great events that will get your customers excited beginning NOW. Promote your festive events with an in-store marketing calendar and bag-stuffers (postcards or other promotional items that promote upcoming events in your store) as well as use your other marketing channels to start spreading the word. Social media, email marketing and local groups can all help you maximize the exposure of these events. Your key goal, however, this September? Get your events on your calendar and start their marketing ASAP. Then rev it up come six to 4 weeks out, with full speed in gear 2 weeks out until the day of the actual event. It’s truly never too early to start planning for events! Do not forget to get your local media involved, as well. Send press releases out and share news of your events so (hopefully) they can help you in spreading the word.
3. Step Outside of Your Comfort Zone
Year in, year out it’s very comfortable to do the same things. Every now and again, though, it’s great to welcome new ideas, introduce new traditions and incorporate new ways to gain in-store excitement and sales. We’re big fans of doing this all year long, however the holidays welcome a tremendous amount of fun ways to liven your store up and increase sales. Retail experts Georganne Bender, Rich Kizer and Debra Templar joined forces to create a dynamic e-book on all things holiday, and we absolutely LOVE it. So this holiday season, why not gift yourself with some great ways to help your store thrive? This early holiday present will be something you will refer to again and again because whether it’s the holidays or any other time of year, there are great ideas packed into this e-book that we know you will love. Check it out here!
Finally, take this month to plan ahead in your holiday staffing. If you know you are going to need some seasonal employees, start looking for great hires now. You want to be sure to have enough time to train them on your store policies, customer service and inventory, as well, so don’t forget to plan for this in your schedule, as well!
Here’s wishing you some festive, fun holiday planning in the month ahead!
Contributed by Nicole Leinbach Reyhle, Founder & Editorial Director of Retail Minded – the nation’s only support for independent businesses both in and out of their stores. Learn more at www.RetailMinded.com.
Apr 2, 2013 | ART Blog
An acclaimed keynote speaker, best selling author, and an award-willing entrepreneur, Jason Ryan Dorsey is recognized as The Gen Y Guy®, a man who helps businesses bridge generational disconnects, increase innovation and design across generations and drive sales based on cross-generational practices. With at least four generations in the workplace, and even more in the marketplace, his message and techniques deliver results tenfold. Working with Fortune 500 clients around the country and around the world, he has delivered speeches that are engaging, intriguing and focused on a bottom line. Jason has been featured on 60 Minutes, 20/20. The Today Show, The View, and in Fortune Magazine, The Wall Street Journal and over one hundred other media outlets, drawing a unique and varied fan base. His humor and real life observational perspective have drawn hundreds of thousands to his speeches, from all ages.
Don’t miss your chance to see Jason Ryan Dorsey in person at the Art Conference in Miami, and become inspired by his youth and his unique outlook on crossing the generational gap in the business place and the marketplace. Register now to see Jason speak at 8:00am on Wednesday, May 8th 2013 on “Connecting Generations to Build your Business”.
Apr 1, 2013 | ART Blog
Home Fashion Forecast, named Best Launch by Media Industry Newsletter (MIN) in October 2010, is a substantial print publication with a wide digital reach. A tabloid-size magazine celebrating the best and the brightest of home furnishings and interior design. It is available in print exclusively at the High Point Market, Las Vegas Market, Atlanta Gift & Home and Area Rug Markets, Dallas Total Home & Gift Market and New York International Gift Fair. Fortunately, in our technological age, you can also subscribe to a digital edition of the magazine or their e-newsletters. Archives of the magazine can also be accessed using a free iPad app. Tapping into the expertise of home furnishing industry vets as well as fresh faces, Home Fashion Forecasts brings an enhanced and refreshing perspective to interior based media and makes it a must read!
Connect with Home Fashion Forecast on Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook for even more informative looks at the industry today.
Apr 1, 2013 | ART Blog
As a self-confessed culture addict, Michael Fisher of Fashion Snoops has his eye on everything. As the Trend Director for the menswear and lifestyle sections of the site, his strengths lie in being able to pull cues from the big picture of fashion. Lets face it, runway, though stunningly beautiful, can be scary as a whole. Its hard to translate between what gets shown and how to apply it in a more realistic setting. This is Michael Fisher’s raison d’être, keeping his eye on how trends will filter from ever evolving fashion to everyday consumers. To some, it may sound like an unbelievably easy job, but its anything but easy. Fashion is constant, moving forward and backward at a pace similar to a heartbeat. The past, present and future all have to be accounted for when scouting trends and it is not simply a job, it is a career and a lifestyle, and Michael Fisher is at the top of his game. Also, as an adjunct professor of trend forecasting for his alma mater, Virginia Commonwealth University, Michael is helping to create a new generation of dedicated dreamers of fashion and trends.
Michael will be speaking at the ARTS Conference in Miami on Wednesday, May 8th at 3:15pm as he brings you “2014…. A Trend Odyssey”. Register now for your chance to see this brilliant and insightful tastemaker do what he does best. Social Media is little more a trend than it is a way of life now, and you can follow Michael on Twitter and Fashion Snoops on Twitter to keep up with the latest.
Apr 1, 2013 | ART Blog
Have you ever imagined what it might feel like living in the old west? The classic decor that makes you feel like you’ve stepped right onto the set of a John Wayne film? Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid meets modern convenience by way of The Arrangement. Searching the world for a unique blend of elegant rustic furniture and more modern pieces, The Arrangement wasnt to help you demonstrate your beautiful lifestyle.
Fitting into more than just a classic Western theme, The Arrangement also offers looks that can
accommodate Spanish Colonial, classic Southwesern, Tuscan, and Mountain Modern. In our world, we dont have to own a ranch to live like we do, the smell of sumptuous leather and the land filling us even in a big city without an acre of farmland on it.
With locations both in Dallas and Houston, visit The Arrangement today and let “The Best of the New West” fill your home with style.
