Month: March 2011

Jewelry Displays Get Creative

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Velvet and leatherette jewelry displays are lovely and classic. I love nothing more than to see a sparkly little creation nestled on a black velvet display, unless it is nestled on my own black sweater. As pretty as the classic displays are, it is nice to shake things up sometimes and think outside the (jewelry) box.

 

I came across an article that featured an incredibly creative jewelry display at Paper Moon in Reno, NV. It never occurred to me to use a jersey form as a jewelry display but there you are. See how they used jewelry U-pins to attach the pendants across the torso in a pattern that flows and draws your eye across and down? Notice that smaller pendants and earrings are placed at the neck, where the space is smaller and they won’t get lost in the midst of larger pieces. I also like how the designer created a belt-like break between the “shirt” and the “skirt”. And, oh, that skirt! I am completely smitten with that “skirt” which is created with individual chains in graduated sizes. So clever!

The reason this display works is because, although it is showcasing many items, it isn’t busy. The lines are more or less symmetrical and organized so you can see all the pieces in order, rather than searching through a jumble. This display apparently took some time and effort to create but it does what is supposed to: draw the eye, display the product effectively and make people say “wow”. If you are short on time you can still display your jewelry in an attractive and eye-catching manner.


The designer at Craftland in Providence, RI, came up with a simple yet striking display. I love the way the green and hot pink contrast but really work together. This display is as easy as placing colored paper underneath glass plates and arranging the jewelry in a neat and orderly fashion. Add some simple tabletop displays and, voila! You’ve got something special. Think about what other colors contrast yet complement and try to work them into your next display. Just remember not to use more than two, maybe three colors at a time because you don’t want the jewelry itself to fight for attention with the display.

Channel your inner designer and have some fun!

Pop-Up Shops

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We’ve all passed by empty storefronts or offices, wondering what business will be opening up next. With the economy in its current state many people are hesitant to start a new venture or expand their current business, which leaves these stores empty and landlords eager for some sort of income. Enter Pop-up Shops.
As defined on Wikipedia, a “pop-up retail space is a venue that is temporary — the space could be a sample sale one day and host a private cocktail party the next evening. The trend involves “popping-up” one day, then disappearing anywhere from one day to several weeks later. These stores, while small and temporary, can build up interest by consumer exposure. Pop-up retail allows a company to create a unique environment that engages their customers, as well as generates a feeling of relevance and interactivity. They are often used by marketers for seasonal items such as Halloween costumes, holiday gifts and Christmas trees, or fireworks.” Pop-up shops can also be used as an opportunity to test a brand or market without committing to opening a permanent shop. Department stores are known to open pop-up shops to generate buzz about designers or to focus on several new items each week. Some online stores will also open up these temporary stores to unload overstock. Many landlords are now willing to negotiate short term leases in an effort to generate some revenue so obtaining a temporary space is easier than ever. Sound good to you? If you think that you might want to test out a market or idea let’s think about what you’ll need to open up a pop-up shop.
First of all, you’ll need displays and fixtures that are quick and easy to set up and knock down. Slatgrid and grid panels answer that need. Grid panels can be assembled into multiple configurations to meet your display requirements and can also be easily attached to walls with wall brackets for a more (semi)permanent display. Attach peg hooks, shelves, hang rails, faceouts, waterfalls and/or baskets and you’ve got everything you need to display a wide variety of different items. Install some casters and you can scoot the displays all around the store to change the floorplan. Keep in mind that slatwall accessories also work on slatgrid so if you’ve already got slatwall, you’re all set. Grid panels can also be purchased preconfigured in various ways such as quads, H displays or simple impulse displays if you don’t want to bother coming up with your own arrangement.
If you are looking for quick and easy garment racks then the heavy duty folding rack and professional Z rack may be just the ticket. The heavy duty folding rack is available in single and double rail and the casters also make it easy to rearrange the floorplan. The folding Z rack also sturdy and mobile and has the option to add another rail as well as a bottom shelf for more display space. Single rail garment racks are a good idea if you don’t plan on rearranging the floorplan during your stay in the store. Don’t forget your sturdy folding hand trucks to help you move merchandise in and out of the shop.
Well, we’ve touched on items you’ll need to display your merchandise but before you get going, don’t forget to publicize your pop-up shop! Send out an email blast on Constant Contact, post on FaceBook and tweet away on Twitter. If you want to print out invitations or advertisements, remember to keep the color scheme and font simple (think Arial or Times New Roman) and wording to a minimum. Don’t forget to order a banner for your pop-up shop so people know that you’ve come to visit for a while. Good luck and let me know if you’ve decided to “pop up” anywhere!

Spruce Up Your Retail Store

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Okay, so we’ve got the window displays popping and the staff smiling, ready to welcome the swarm of warm weather customers coming your way. But now let’s deal with the aftermath of the cold weather customers. I’m afraid that I have to mention something that strikes fear (or at least dismay) into the hearts of most folks: spring cleaning. Yes, it’s a dirty job but someone’s gotta do it. We’ve already covered cleaning to a lesser extent in “What Is Your Store Saying?” but it’s time to get down with the dirt.
Here is an interesting tidbit for you: spring cleaning is a phrase from the days when people used coal to heat their homes and oil lamps to light it up. After a season of closed windows, the walls and pretty much everything else were covered in soot and general ickiness so a good cleaning was needed once warmer weather arrived and the windows could remain open to let out the stale air and let in the fresh. Although we don’t use coal for heating any more, rooms get stuffy and dusty from being closed up during cold weather. Also, spring cleaning is a great way to give a little face lift to your store without investing in new flooring or a paint job!
Subjecting your floor to wet, muddy boots for months at a time can really take a toll on your flooring and give it a shabby look. You might want to invest in a good floor cleaner so you can clean and freshen up your floor a few times a year. Rather than buying a separate shampooer and a buffer, some machines can deep clean carpeting, scrub hard floors, and buff and clean hardwood, ceramic and marble. Neat, huh? If you only have carpeting then it’s a good idea to invest in a steam cleaner; those things can work wonders. This steam-vac carpet cleaner does not require faucet hook-up, just fill the tank with hot water and pre-measured detergent. Super easy! Of course you’ll also want to keep a vacuum and/or sweeper on hand for daily clean ups. Wait till you see how terrific the freshly cleaned floor looks after you’ve gotten used to seeing it all dingy and winterish, especially when the sunlight streams in through your clean windows.

Come on, let’s clean those windows inside and out to let that sunshine in! It is amazing how much better a bright, sunny room can look. You do not have to freshly repaint the entire store to make it look sparkling new. I have three words for you: clean, clean, clean! Yes, it’s actually one word but one word that will make a huge difference in the appearance of any store. When we see the same areas day after day, little scuffs and patches of dirt just become part of the scenery that we don’t notice…but your customers will! So, scrub-a-dub! Don’t forget to dust the tops of door frames, shelves, fixtures, pictures and moldings first; dusting last will just get dust all over everything you just cleaned. Add a gentle yet effective cleaner (we don’t want to scrub the paint off the walls) to your bucket of warm water and attack those walls, fixtures, shelves and counters with a sponge or lint-free cloth. We’re giving this store a once-over to make it ready for the busy upcoming season so let’s put our backs into it and move furniture, fixtures, racks and shelving rather than cleaning around them. Wait until you see the difference a good cleaning can make!

Okay, the inside it ready to go. What about the outside? You’ve cleaned the outside of your windows and doors so that’s covered but what about your sidewalk and parking area? Make sure you pick up any trash, glass and dead leaves lurking around and sweep that sidewalk. The outside of your store should be a reflection of what folks will find on the inside so make sure it’s clean and inviting so that people will even want to walk through your door.

Now, if you’ve incorporated everything from the last several blogs you should have colorful, eye-catching signage, organized shelves and racks, attention-grabbing window displays and a sparkling clean store. Bring on the shoppers!

Peevish Customer Service

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Pet peeves. We’ve all got them. Cars that swerve into our lane without the courtesy of a turn signal. When people say “I could care less” instead of the correct “I couldn’t care less” (and don’t even get me started on “irregardless”). Store clerks who are more interested in talking to co-workers about their personal lives than helping the customers. Hmmm. Let’s expound on the latter peeve, shall we?

Let’s be honest. There is a lot of competition out there so it’s important to put our best foot forward at all times. What do we do to attract and keep customers? We stock our stores with merchandise that people want and price that merchandise competitively. We try to make our place of business appealing to customers by keeping it clean and organized. We hire staff who are courteous, friendly, honest and, if not knowledgeable right off the bat, at least eager to learn. Let me tell you, the experience customers have with the staff can be the difference between “This place was nice and I’ll come here again” and “I am going to tell everyone I know just how rude the help is at this place!” Here is an important fact: people are much more likely to talk about a negative experience they’ve had than a positive one.

So what can business owners and their employees do to ensure customers have a pleasant experience, as far as customer service goes? First off, smile. A smile can go a long way. I recall times when I’ve stopped into a store worn out, cranky and longing for home, and a cashier with a warm, sincere smile and sincere “How are you doing today?” honestly gave me a little pick-me-up. Also, people like to be acknowledged. When someone walks into a store, being greeted with eye contact, a smile and “Hello! What can I help you find today?” is very pleasant. We like to know that there is someone available to help us when and if we need the help buuuuuuut…we don’t want to be stalked while walking around the store. Regarding eye contact; people are less likely to shoplift if the staff makes eye contact with them because direct eye contact is a distinct indication of the staff’s attention. It’s true. I wouldn’t lie to you.

Another thing that is important is tone of voice. Studies have proven that the tone in which something is said is more important than the actual words spoken. Think about that. You can hear in a person’s tone of voice if they are angry, happy, sarcastic, combative, etc. Smile when you answer the phone. The person on the other end will be able to hear it and will respond to it. One thing your customers do not want to hear is chatter about an employee’s lying spouse or financial trouble, how much a coworker is disliked, how drunk someone was at a party and any other number of topics that are not appropriate for discussion while helping customers.

The focus of the employees should be on the customers. Period. Those customers are the reason we are in business and that is something owners and employees need to remember at all times. No one wants to be rung up, basically ignored by the cashier until he or she barks out the total and then barely receive a “thank you” because said cashier is too busy gossiping or talking on the phone to provide quality service. Save the talk about personal and operational issues for home or the break room. And I say that with a smile.

Retail Window Display Ideas That Pop!

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It’s just around the corner! Spring! Sunshine. Flowers. Rainbows and rain showers. People coming out of their winter hibernation, stretching, yawning and ready for something new. Hooray for spring! Now that people are venturing out of their lairs more often, how about we spruce up your retail window displays to attract them into your store? Let’s go over some simple ways to dress up your windows.
~ Hang some colorful bouncy balls from the ceiling with fishing line and ceiling clips at different levels. Beach balls are a great option for summertime windows and large ornaments or snowflakes would look fantastic in winter windows. You can likely find the balls at a local dollar store. Or you can choose to hang colorful gift bags fluffed with tissue paper. These are inexpensive ways to bring color to your display and to draw the eyes of passersby. Not only will the display pop, but it will convey a sense of fun to your customers.

~ String a clean new clothesline across your window and hang some of your new items on the line with clothespins, or use fishing line to hang them if they are too bulky for the pins. Hang some colorful signage that says “Fresh from the Line” so people will know you’ve gotten in new product. Remember to keep your signs simple and legible because people need to read them in the 3 seconds it takes to pass by. Make the window bright enough and they just may slow down to take a longer look!

~ “Plant” some items in colorful flowerpots. Attach a small item for sale to the top of a stake or heavy gauge wire and glue on some leaves cut from felt fabric. Visit any craft store or dollar store for the felt and for some foam bases that you can poke the stakes into. Put the foam into the flowerpot, poke in the stake and top it off with some Easter grass and you’ve got a cute, eye-catching prop for your window. If the foam doesn’t fit snugly in the flowerpot, you may need to glue it to the bottom of the pot so your “plant” doesn’t topple over. Make sure you don’t try to plant heavy merchandise or again with the toppling. Depending on your product, you may be able to plant your items directly in the flowerpot without the stake. Place a few of these pots sprouting your products in your windows and people stop to smell the flowers.

~ Place several boxes or cubes of different sizes in your window and cover them with one large unwrinkled cloth or expanse of fabric. You can pick up fabric fairly cheaply from the craft/sewing store or even a big box store with a sewing section. Smooth the cloth to emphasize the different heights and place your items on the covered boxes. Use a solid colored cloth (such as green to give the impression of grass) to make sure the merchandise you are displaying doesn’t get lost in a busy pattern. The varying heights of the boxes will create visual interest and keep the viewer’s eyes moving around the display. What other attention-grabbing, light-weight items can you scatter on the cloth in this display? Silk flowers? Pretty glass/acrylic globes? Decorative stones or pebbles? You want something to draw the eye and complement your merchandise but not steal the show.

One more thing: if you want to keep the same display up for any length of time, remember to move around or introduce new items every few days to keep the display fresh. Use your imagination and play around with these ideas and I bet you’ll have fun! Feel free to send me some pics of your fun and fresh retail window displays!

It’s in the Bag

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A bag is a bag is a bag, right? Au contraire, mon frere! Just as your window display or entryway give customers the first impression of your store, the bag you send home with them gives the last impression. No, I’m not saying that you need to spend big bucks on some fancy-shmancy bags, I’m just suggesting that it is a good idea to put more thought into the bag selection process than “Meh. I guess this bag will do.” Let’s explore some options to help make the decision a bit easier.

Paper or plastic? That’s one of the big questions nowadays. It is possible to get quality bags either way you go. Let’s start with the plastic options. The most common bag that we all see is called a t-shirt bag. You know, the type with handles that the majority of grocery stores use. These bags are 100% recyclable, economical and come in a wide variety of colors, weights and sizes. Plain white is popular but black is gaining in popularity, not only because it provides a bit of privacy for one’s purchases but it’s also a hip yet classic color. You can thank your customers all the way home by investing in “thank you” bags. These bags are available in white or black and the white bags also have the option of a happy smiley face. Color t-shirt bags in blue, green or red are also fun and are especially appropriate if the colors match or complement your business’ color motif. Frosted shopping bags or merchandise bags with handles are a stylish option in plastic bags. So you see, plastic bags are functional and can be attractive but some customers perceive paper bags to be a little more polished than plastic.

Paper shopping bags with twisted paper handles are attractive and stand upright on their flat bottoms when unfolded which makes it a snap to bag items at checkout. These modish yet functional bags are available in classic kraft and in white as well as a wide variety of sophisticated colors. And, as if they weren’t already terrific in their own right, the paper shopping bags are also super easy to personalize. Just place an appealing and eye-catching custom label on the sides of the bags and you’ve got yourself some stylish bags that do double-duty as advertisements! Don’t have access to a printer? Not a problem. Custom labels can be created for you! If you need something just a little more basic than shopping bags there is a variety of natural kraft paper bags and colored merchandise bags for you to choose from. Feel like getting fancy? Pop a little tissue paper into the top of the bag to give it a festive and fun appearance. Now let’s think outside the disposable bag.

What about reusable shopping bags? These non-woven polypropylene tote bags are water-resistant and washable so they can be used over and over, perfect for those customers who don’t care for paper or plastic. The reusable bags come in a variety of popular colors and can also be custom printed with your store’s information. So, not only will customers actually purchase these bags from you, they will actually be advertising your store every time they reuse the bag!

I, personally, am torn between paper and plastic. Both types are recyclable, which I think is important for the environment. The reason I like to receive plastic bags while shopping is because I use them for other things after unpacking my purchases, like cleaning the cat box or as small trashcan liners. I also enjoy receiving paper shopping bags because I like to use small bags for toting my lunch and larger bags for easy handling when I’m carrying items one-way, like to Goodwill or to a party. And here’s the thing: when I reach for a bag to reuse, the store that I received it from pops into my head. What I’m saying is, even after you send your customers home, many of them still hang on to your bags to reuse rather recycle them which is why “Meh. I guess this bag will do” maybe should be “Which bag do I want my customers to associate with my business?”

The Joy of Peg Hooks

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I have to admit that I have always taken Peg Hooks for granted but I think it’s time to publicly acknowledge their usefulness and appeal. Who knew that they are so versatile and sturdy!? Like Kelly Ripa’s arms, peg hooks may be skinny but they sure are strong. But unlike hiring Kelly Ripa to work in your store, you won’t pay a fortune for peg hooks.Now, these little guys get around. Do you have pegboard in your store? Slatwall or grid wall more your thing? Peg hooks will work hard to display your merchandise on all three of these display options. Like a satisfied customer states, “Very sturdy and holds a lot”. You can even incorporate them into your slotted standard wall display by attaching the peg hooks to a hangrail. What also makes peg hooks great, aside from how inexpensive they are, is that they are easily movable. I like that I can move the peg hooks around on my display depending on whether I’m showcasing large or small items, or shaking things up and displaying various sizes at the same time. I’m the boss of my display and it is so easy to move the peg hooks around and make my display look the way I want it to.

Have I mentioned how versatile they are? Well, let me tell you. Zinc plated steel pegboard peg hooks come in 2”, 4”, 6”, 8” and 10” lengths. Slatwall peg hooks come in 4”, 6”, 8”, 10” and 12” lengths and you also get a choice of classic black or nifty chrome finish. Safety peg hooks have a rounded hook end and are great for those of us who need to be protected from our own clumsiness. Heavy Duty Scanning Hooks have an upper arm attachment on which you can attach a clear label holder. Simply insert your own price label into the label holder and Ta-dah! An entire hookful of merchandise is instantly priced!

Are you a bit concerned about merchandise walking away? Peg Hooks can even help you deter theft! (Told you they were versatile!) Anti-Theft Locking Peg Hooks secure the merchandise to the hook, preventing anyone from sweeping all the pegged merchandise off the hook when you are not looking. Not only that, but the hook itself is also locked to your display. Both locks can be unlocked quickly and easily with a magnetic key so your product is secure but also easily accessed by the staff. Another great theft deterrent is the Peg Hook Lock that you just secure to the end of your peg hook and which is also unlocked with the magnetic key.

Now that you love peg hooks as much as I do and want to fill your store with them, you might be thinking “But Specialty Store Gal, what if I want to hang merchandise that doesn’t have a hole in the packaging for hanging?” Never fear! Allow me to introduce you to clear hanging tabs with slot holes, round holes or hooks. Just attach these adhesive backed tags to your merchandise packaging and hang to your heart’s content. They really work! Just see what these folks had to say: “I have used this product to make so many items hangable and pegable. Just use your imagination and creativity. These little hang tabs have made countless sales for us”. Another customer states, “I also use them to hang signs and notes”. So clever!
I could yammer on and on about these great hooks but I’ll let you go because you’ve got some hanging to do!

Retail Store Presentation: What is Your Store Saying?

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What is the appearance of your store telling your customers? Are smudges on the door and front windows yelling “Hi! We’re messy and unprofessional”? Is your clean floor stating “My owner cares enough to vacuum me”? Is there clutter on your cash wrap or register counter saying “We’re so disorganized”? Your store may be speaking volumes without you knowing it! Let’s put on our retail merchandising hats and figure out what your store may be saying.Take a few minutes to look at your store from a customer’s perspective from the beginning to the end of their visit. The entrance is your first chance to impress the customer. When you walk in the door are the glass and the handle sparkling clean or are they a hotbed of germs? Is there a clean floor mat just inside the doorway to keep dirt and water off your floor? To ensure you are presenting a professional image from the get-go, take a peek in your windows to make sure there are no burnt out bulbs or any dust bunnies lurking in your window display or on the sills. Think about what pleases you when you first walk into a store, or even before you walk into the store.

After surveying the entryway, take a stroll around the store. Are your shelves and racks stocked and organized? Make sure that your items are priced and that sale signs are attractive, legible and prominently displayed. If you have fitting rooms, are the mirrors and floors clean? Are there ample hooks for customers to hang their selections in the fitting rooms?

Let’s go check out. The check out counter should not be where old notes and broken pens go to die, nor is it the place to keep potato chips while you nibble throughout the day. You want to convey a professional and clean environment, the image that you and your store are reliable and responsible, so make sure the counter is not cluttered, dirty or chipped. A good cleaner can wipe up any dirt, spilled drinks or icky tape residue. Information for staff reference should be out of the customer’s line of vision, ideally in a binder or behind the counter. However, some things you may want your customers to see are information about your upcoming promotions and return/exchange policies. This should be one of the few places in the store where your signage can be more detailed than “sale” signs. Take advantage of your captive audience and let them know what else you have to offer!

So, are you satisfied with what your store is telling people? If so, well done! If not, don’t be discouraged. Every day brings a new learning experience and now is your chance to make some positive changes! Retail merchandising and presentation can be a challenge but if approached creatively, cleverly and with enthusiasm, it can also be very profitable and rewarding.

Organizing for Easy Shopping

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Not all of us are gifted with organization skills. Sure, some of us have our own brand of “organized.” We can tell you what’s in each mountainous stack of paper on our desk or direct you to the calculator (which we last saw in the closet… or maybe on the shoe rack) but do your customers want to search and guess while shopping? That’s a big “No!” They don’t want to work for their purchase and so are more likely to revisit your store if their shopping experience is made easy for them.

If someone is dashing in on their lunch break or running errands in between chauffeuring the kids from Point A to Point B, they don’t have the time to sift through items to find what they need. Be sure to walk through the store periodically to straighten shelves, untangle hangers and put misplaced product back where it belongs. When straightening clothing racks make sure that the clothes are all sorted sequentially by size so your customers can locate, grab and go.

You can also help make the shopping experience easier by grouping together items that are commonly purchased together. For instance, if you are selling cell phones, it would be a good idea to have the phone protective covers on display near the appropriate phones rather than having all the covers displayed together on one rack. This way the customer won’t have to search the rack for the cover that will fit their phone. Think about what your customers purchase together and see if you can group items without interrupting the flow of your store or creating multiple displays for the same item. You get the idea.We all enjoy a challenge (to a certain extent) but most of us don’t care for running obstacle courses while running errands. Are your aisles clear of boxes or do customers need to sidestep around your incoming shipment or stocker? Stocking is absolutely necessary, of course, but it’s best to do your stocking during the slower part of your day, or even before or after hours of operation. If you do need to restock or accept deliveries during business hours, just remember to keep things orderly. Think about using a work cart to keep boxes off the floor to minimize tripping hazards. A cart with a large work space and supply drawer can keep you organized and mobile while stocking.

And make sure your customers are still getting the service and attention they need even when you or your staff are busy restocking! But that’s a blog for another day.