Holiday Preparation

Spring Cleaning

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spring cleaning

It’s that time of year again: spring cleaning! For most people, this is an annual ritual in their homes to purge unneeded items and clutter; however, this is an important idea for retailers to remember, too!

Take inventory of the fixtures in your store; evaluate your best sellers vs. the fixtures that may not be serving much of a purpose. More isn’t always better! Make sure that each fixture is working with you to sell your merchandise, otherwise it may just be creating excess clutter. If you’re short on space in your store, consider using a multi-purpose merchandiser or a double bar rack to display double the merchandise.

Is the look of your store cohesive? Perhaps, over the years, you have purchased various fixtures for your store. Evaluate if they are working together. It may be time to decide on a new look. Matching fixtures provide a strong backdrop for your merchandise. By creating a clean and cohesive environment, your products will take center stage.

If you’re using wooden fixtures, such as tables, countertops, or slatwall displays, it looks best to stick to the same color family. That’s why we make sure that each of our fixtures comes in as many different colors as possible. With almost every wooden fixture we sell available in black, maple, and white, it’s easier than ever to coordinate your store to fit your brand aesthetic and style.

pipe display

For trendier stores and boutiques, we recommend our new Pipe Collection. The pipe collection adds a sleek, industrial element to any store. Pipe displays have a matte black finish, which will work well any existing fixtures. Consider adding two or three of a trendier fixture to jazz up the feel of your store.

This spring, as you prepare for the influx of new merchandise in your store, having updated fixtures and displays will excite your customers and keep your store looking current.

Addressing the Challenge of Holiday Demand versus In-Stock Merchandise

Posted onAuthoralice@specialtystoreservices.com

holidayFor most retailers, monthly volume doubles or even triples during the holiday season. It also seems that every year, retailers are scrambling to make sure they have the items consumers want in stock. This is very apparent in the toy industry when every child wants that ‘special’ toy and hardly anyone is carrying it. There are a few guidelines retailers can use to help to ensure shelves are stocked during the oft-chaotic holiday season.

Preparing for high volume purchasing times, such as the holidays, requires a bit of analytics and a touch of luck. Every retailer should begin preparing at least eight months before the season. This may sound like it is too far ahead, but if you look at when the trade shows are held, you’ll see preparation is the key to success. If you have a trade show in your particular vertical, use some of their analytics expertise. In many cases, they already have some of the data that demonstrates the increase of specific product purchases in your industry.

A second rule of thumb is to use the Internet analytics to see what which products you carry are trending. What are some of the latest upgrades to newer technologies or the latest craze in flavor or color? These will be major factors for decisions in consumer purchases. Some items may have been experiencing a slow increase in popularity, while others will probably be favorites for just one season.

If you have a website that lists products, make use of your platform analytics to see what the most popular items were last year, as well as those that have maintained high volume over time. Remember: Gift buying is on everyone’s mind, but consumers will also be purchasing mainstay items they would normally buy. Use the search statistics from your website to view what consumers were searching for on your site and do an in-depth review of what some of your top competitors are carrying.

Preliminary review should be eight months before the season. Purchase decisions should be at least six months prior, with a final review and additions at the three-month mark. You will also want to contact your manufacturers to get confirmation on potential shipping delays that are almost always attributable to the holiday. If there are any items that have had a history of being out of stock, order these at the six-month review. Communication with your vendors will be most important three months prior to the onset of seasonal buying.

If your industry involves merchandise that has a limited shelf life, such as food, you will need to work with your manufacturer to place orders at least six months in advance, with guaranteed delivery one month before the launch of the holiday.

Once you have a majority of your product decisions and orders, begin focusing on your marketing. Work with all of the people involved in your in-store and website marketing to craft the messages, signage and special discount deals you are offering. This is the time you can get ahead of your competition through special incentives, such as free (or flat rate) shipping, gift wrapping for in-store and complimentary items for purchases over a certain amount. Typically BOGO’s do not do well during the season as consumers are usually buying gifts for others and do not need two of an item.

With just a few easy steps, a bit of planning, and a lot of observation, every retailer can establish a routine to reduce the stress of the season while helping to increase margins.

Trend Surfing: Merchandising and The Art of Trend

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Cart SurfingTrends, whether they are seasonal events, holidays or the latest video game craze, are a great way to feature and sell what is “hot” and “new”. In this post we are going to discuss ways in which you can use trends, both popular and not-so-popular, to your advantage.

This is the time of year when retailers around the country are gearing up for the back-to-school season and their preparations are evident in the changing displays around stores. From supermarkets to specialty stores, the focus is on back to school merchandise.  Stores across the country have stocked up and have showcased their back-to-school items on the end caps of aisles and other high-traffic areas of their stores. The moment a customer steps into the store, his or her eyes are greeted to the back-to-school merchandise. It’s a very basic “line of sight” tactic, but it works well every time. What should you display when there is no holiday or season to push? What products should be front and center?

You might already follow trends within your vertical, but have you thought about stepping further outside of the space to see what is trending in other areas? With so many forms of communication, trends catch on quickly and can spread like wildfire. The trick is to tie up-and-coming trends into your store. Great stock and neat display is not enough. Staying ahead of trends gives you a jump on your competition and improves your bottom line.

In this new era of retail wars, you need all the ammunition you can get to survive and thrive. You can no longer ignore the power (and threat) of online shopping, which continues to take more of the market share. Social networks are entwined in our daily lives, so much so that we don’t even have to switch on the television to get the latest news. If a customer “likes” your page, what other types of products do they “like?” To which groups do they belong? Who do they follow? Social networks allow you to easily mine information regarding what your customers are into. You can use this information to build a better customer profile and merchandise accordingly. Whether it is a new movie, TV mini-series, the newest video game, sporting event, a viral video, or even a grumpy cat, anything can set a new trend. Customers will go to the store expecting to see the latest and you have to fulfill their expectations. If a customer walks into your store and sees a display or merchandise relating to a particular trend, they will be more inclined to buy, as they already have a relationship with that product. Your merchandising, display skills and knowledge of what is trending will fire their impulses to buy.

The 3 Core Principles of Trending
Now that we have talked a little about the importance of trending, let’s take a look at some actionable ways to do so.

Variation: Seasons and events play a big role in attracting sales, but you need healthy sales throughout the year. Instead of waiting for the next festive season, take the reins now. Keep up with the times and latest trends; use these to change and upgrade your merchandise, displaying them artfully for your buyers. Variation of merchandise outside of well-known seasons gives you an advantage over your competition.

Engagement: You also have to keep in mind the diverse demographics that define the customers of today. Age, sex, race, personalities, choices, regions; there are all kinds of idiosyncrasies that make up a customer base. By interacting with customers of social media, you can build a better relation with and understanding of your customers. Trending allows retailers to keep up with the changing dynamics of what their customers want.

Innovation: Using new technologies and platforms let you experiment with different ways to market your business. You have to innovate. Just because it worked for someone else, does not mean it will work for you. Try new things: tap social media; have contests; follow the competition; discover what your customers are into and use all of this to your advantage.

Trending and its influence on modern merchandising is has certainly been accelerated by this era of communication and technology. The good news is that this very technology also provides ample information for retailers to use, as well. Emerging technologies; the latest mobile and hand held devices; faster and constant Internet connectivity; and social networks have all converged to create the perfect platform for trending. If you can harness these to hone your merchandising skills, then empowering your business will be easier and the future more effective.

Need some help harnessing the power of trends for your store? Specialty Store Services can help! Our retail experts can help you choose the right display solutions for your store that can help you capitalize on the latest trend. Call 800.999.0771 or visit our website for more information.

 

After the Holiday Buzz is Over: How to Keep the Magic Alive (and Avoid the Hangover)

Posted onAuthorericw@specialtystoreservices.com

holiday-hangover2-254x300If a group of retail professionals was asked this question, “What lies at the core of high sales and profits?” how would they answer? Some would say great products and others might suggest competitive prices, but they are both wrong. Studies have proven over and over again that an outstanding customer experience is the number one answer. Without an outstanding first impression—followed by many more great experiences—your potential customers won’t give you a second thought. Providing customers with a memorable and superior customer experience should surpass the excellence of your product or low prices, especially during the holiday season.

Exterior and Interior Impressions

The festive, warm atmosphere is one of the major reasons why so many people enjoy the holiday season. Can a customer enter one of your stores and immediately be cheered up by the holiday lights, garlands, and other colorful decorations and have their shopper mojo activated? The decorations help create a positive, memorable customer experience and stimulate buying—an accomplishment that you want to maintain all year long.

Need a Boost? Some Quick & Easy Fixes

If your store branding needs a boost, you have some great options to choose from. Here are some proven ways to create a colorful, inviting atmosphere and encourage your customers to buy:

  • Use new store fixtures to add interest and excitement in different areas of the store
  • Design and develop a unique line of custom store fixtures for an entire store chain makeover
  • Choose a bright, welcoming color and repaint your stores’ exteriors and interiors
  • Add framed pictures or custom banners or signs to select areas in your stores

Creating warm, inviting storefronts and interiors is easy to accomplish during the holidays; the challenge is keeping this feeling when the holidays end. When you take the decorations down, the welcoming store atmosphere can disappear. How does your current store branding measure up when the holiday glitz and glitter are gone? As you evaluate the situation don’t gloss over areas of improvement. Be honest with yourself and your employees. The sooner you figure out what needs to be improved, the sooner you can begin building an atmosphere that welcomes and cheers customers year-round—and ultimately keeps customers buying.

Interested in learning more about how to avoid the post holiday shopping hangover? The retail experts at Specialty Store Services can help. Call us today at 800.999.0771 or click here to visit our website for more information.

There is No Such Thing as Being Too Prepared: Tips on how your business can survive the impending holiday season

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It’s not uncommon to spot Halloween and fall                                                  black-friday-crowd                                         merchandise on the sales floor by September 1st. For most store owners, managers and employees, this incites a sense of pressure and anxiety for the upcoming holiday season. There are simple steps and action plans you and your team can take to ensure you are prepared for the chaos that’s to come.

Here are four important tips to help you plan a stress-free and successful holiday season:

 1.     Train Staff. Your employees are the backbone of the operation, so take the time to make sure your team is knowledgeable and trained for holiday traffic.

  •  Is your staff trained for potential shoplifters? The month of December can be a costly month for a lot of retailers. Prepare your staff in advance on what to expect and how to handle a shoplifting situation.
  •  Schedule regular meetings to stay connected to what’s going on in all areas of the store. What needs improvement or more support? Communication can prevent inventory disasters, unhappy customers and store fixtures that need fixing.
  • “Happy wife, happy life”- the saying goes for store associates as well.  You can’t achieve results without your staff being at its best. Develop staff incentives to encourage motivation. Friends and family are heading out of town for the holidays, taking the spirit out of the holidays for many of your employees. Give your staff an extra reason to work their hardest to offer customers the best possible experience.
  • Plan for employee time off before the holiday season. This is smart for two reasons: 1) making sure you’re staffed appropriately for the entire season with enough team members to cover expected high traffic weeks 2) ensuring there won’t be any surprises for you or your employees. You’re able to plan ahead and they can plan ahead for time off with family and friends.

2.     Review history. The best way to improve is to learn from past mistakes. Look at past sales records, staff schedules and promotional calendars. What worked last year? What didn’t? Plan ahead and safeguard against past complications. Although the holiday season is hectic, try to note happenings as they come or after the holidays for you or other associates to reference the following year.

 3.     Inventory. You can’t run a store without merchandise. Was there enough last year? Was there inventory on the floor at all times? Have the right inventory available by developing a replenishing function as part of the staff routine, which holds a specific individual accountable to ensure the sales floor is stocked at all times.

 4.    Maintenance. Even in a busy environment, it’s critical your team maintains the clean look of the store. An article from DMS Retail has a great checklist for keeping your store clean: Be sure all light fixtures are working, exit signs are lit, fitting rooms are tidy, fire extinguishers have been checked, your flooring and carpets have no turned up edges that can trip people, your POS and printers are working properly, your doors or door grills are in good repair, ceiling ducts are clean and dust free, fitting rooms are clean and welcoming, shelves are firmly in place to avoid accidents, no chipped glass anywhere, no rough edges on sign holders, the back room is well organized, the plumbing (if any) and any illuminated store signage is working properly. Be prepared so store upkeep is not taking away from sales.

These tips are designed to help streamline your holiday selling season to make it as successful as possible. Plan ahead in all aspects of your business to reduce anxiety before the holidays come; they’ll be here before you can say, “Deck the halls with boughs of holly.”

Not prepared or don’t know where to start? The retail experts at Specialty Store Services can help. Call us today at 800.999.0771 or click here to visit our website for more information.

That’s a Wrap!

Posted onAuthorericw@specialtystoreservices.com

Gift wrapping attracts and keep customers coming back.
I have been in many situations where I needed a birthday gift for a party and it was starting in 15 minutes and I didn’t have the time to wrap a gift. In my neighborhood I have many stores that have complementary gift- wrapping, now I never have to think twice about where I go to get that extra special gift. I always go to the stores that have pre- wrapped or a gift-wrapping service for a purchased gift. I have a store for boy gifts, girl gifts and friends and hostess gifts all wrapped up with a bow! 
Gift wrapping saves the customers time and gives the retailer a chance to reinforce their brand. It also positions products that are in high demand or expensive. Think of everything you sell as a gift to your customer. How you package a product to send it home is just as important as the product itself. A customer will notice if the sale is just thrown in a bag and they will appreciate when a sale has been wrapped in tissue, placed into a bag and tied with a ribbon.  It doesn’t seem that difficult so why not give your customer that extra personal touch.
With the holiday season quickly approaching, gift-wrapping is a great way to help your customers in deciding on the perfect gift. Why not have pre-wrapped items dispersed around the store for the customer that is in a hurry? I am sure they would appreciate the convenience.
Points to consider when thinking about gift-wrapping in your store:
·        Have a few strategically placed signs with the words, “Complimentary Gift Wrapping” displayed in your store or the If you have gift-wrapped boxes, they can be used as an integral part of your store’s displays.
·        Include your logo on the packaging. Whether you order custom imprinted labels or making your own, showcasing your logo acts as an extra form of advertising.  
·        When deciding on a gift wrap make sure they are not too trendy and styles everyone will like. When picking a style that is too trendy it may not be available for long. Pick a print that will be known only to your store and that people know exactly where it was purchased.  
·        Remember to give some thought to whether you are going to include ribbons and bows when choosing your design.
·        Keep a variety of gift bags ready to go with sheets of tissue to keep things simple. So, when a gift is purchased it’s ready to go!

There’s never been a more important time for your store to look for additional ways to promote its brand and stand out from the competition, and this is a great way to do just that. Remember, whether you have one store or twenty stores your brand is vital to everything you do to promote your business.

Is your Store Ready for the Summer?

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Are you ready for the Summer?  At Specialty Store Services we have many seasonal items to help bring in the customers.  This Memorial Day Weekend be festive and draw attention with Red, White and Blue or American Flag Pennants. During those hot days of summer there is always a need for ice. We have everything you need to start selling ice. We have the Ice Bagging System as well as Ice Bags. And what a better way to promote it but with Ice Posters for your windows. We also carry posters and banners for all the Holidays of Summer- Memorial Day, Fathers Day and Fourth of July.
In the Chicagoland Area- Come by our Showroom on Thursday or Friday for a Memorial Day Giveaway.  For every $100 or more you spend  we are giving away a free item.

Retail Sales – A Positive Attitude Yields Positive Results

Posted onAuthorericw@specialtystoreservices.com

So, the busy retail holiday shopping season is really, truly, officially here! Woo-hoo! All the hustle and bustle and money changing hands…it can be so fun and energizing. It can also be very draining. It is hard to be upbeat and cheerful when you’re really just feeling tired, annoyed, hungry because there’s no time for a break and then there’s that cold you’re afraid may be around the corner. So, what’s a busy, stressed out retailer to do? Simple! Fake it til you make it!

Just do it. That’s right. Smile when you’d rather roll your eyes. Say “Have a great day!” when you’d rather say “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out!” Smooth the ruffled feathers of an unreasonable customer; remember, they may be feeling as stressed and headachy as you are. I can tell you from personal experience that blasting people with a winning smile and forcing a cheerful attitude really does bring about a good mood! It’s hard to stay surly when you put effort into a smile. If you can talk yourself into a bad mood, you can talk yourself into a good one! I’ve done it many a time.

Take on the Grinch. I’ve worked the register at a popular toy store during the holiday season and, believe me, it is not for sissies. A lot of customers are worried about the money they’re spending, irritated with the long lines and they have somewhere else they need to be “right now“. Not everyone is feeling the holiday cheer so I make it a personal challenge to get people to smile and feel just a little bit better than they did before they interacted with me. Make cheerful small talk such as “Good for you, more items crossed off your shopping list!” Compliment them on their cute hat or pretty earrings. Thank them for their patience with the wait. It’s been over 10 years but I still remember one particular instance when I was feeling down while shopping and the friendliness of the sales clerk gave me a boost I really needed. A kind word and a smile can make a world of difference.

Smiles = Sales. Your positive attitude can bring about more retail sales. Really! Think about it. Someone walks into your store feeling grumpy, you turn their frown upside down and make their shopping experience more enjoyable. People are more likely to shop longer and purchase more if they feel comfortable and happy in their shopping environment…and people will remember your store as the one with the cheerful, helpful staff and will likely return on future shopping trips!
Feelin’ groovy. Optimism can help boost your immune system, especially when dealing with viral infections, as found in a 2007 study performed by the Department of Psychology at the University of Kentucky. So keep that internal (and external) dialog positive! Also, make sure you get enough rest and healthy foods to keep illness at bay.
Now, go give that winning smile to some frazzled customers! Please feel free to share your shopping experiences with me, from both sides of the counter.

Top 5 “must-haves” for Retail Online Shopping this Holiday Season

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Great article not only for online retailers but for all retailers by Fiona Swerdlow of Shop.org. Click for the link to “Shoppers Share Top “5 ‘must haves’ for Buying Online this Holiday Season”. Enjoy!

Some of the most insightful data we gather from the annual Shop.org eHoliday Study centers simply on what matters most to consumers.In partnership with BIGinsight, we asked consumers: “When choosing to make holiday purchases from a given online retailer, what is most important to you?” In an industry fueled by constant innovation – whether technical, marketing, merchandising, and beyond – the answers are a reminder that, no matter what those of us in online retail may dream up next, our customers will be looking for a number of key factors.

With a nod to last year’s rankings, here is this year’s fantastic five “what matters most to consumers” list:

1. Seeing the shopping cart total prior to check out: 4.5 of 5. Like last year, this function tops the list for consumers again. As Forrester Research has found, a leading cause of shopping cart abandonment is simply sticker shock when they see the final total including shipping costs. Bottom line: continually update the shopping cart total on relevant pages, thereby getting ahead of this issue even before the customer starts the formal check out process.

2. Product available to ship immediately: 4.5 of 5. Up from number 5 last year, consumers clearly want no surprises on the inventory front, either. Many retailers have bought (very) carefully into inventory in recent years after the 2008 holiday inventory glut – all well and good, but the burden is on the retailer to communicate clearly when inventory levels are minimal (see Boden USA’s effective use of color coding to indicate product availability in terms of in-stock, limited inventory, and out of stock, still one of my favorite examples). Putting a different spin on managing inventory stock issues, ModCloth actually keeps out of stock items on its site, allowing customers to sign up to be notified via email when the item is back in stock – which, in turn, becomes a remarketing tool that the customer is happy to receive.

3. Value for money / good deals: 4.4 of 5. Solidly in third place again this year, consumers continue to look for good value. As many have pointed out, this doesn’t just mean the price itself – it’s about conveying to the customer how the price relates to the qualities of the product such as quality, durability, fashion quotient, uniqueness, and the like.

4. Clear product descriptions: 4.4 of 5. A merchandising basic that always needs updating and fine tuning, this merchandising area now also benefits from the explosion of product video available to consumers. Executed well, product video can significantly enhance the clarity and depth of the product description – a fact not lost on close to half of retailers surveyed who invested significantly this year in product videos. Indeed, Golfsmith’s commitment to using video to explain technical details and ease of use features for products has resulted in increases for both conversion and SEO rankings.

5. Guaranteed on time delivery: 4.4 of 5. Again, imperative for holiday purchases in particular. Those coordination meetings you held last month with your operations staff and shipping vendors will go a long way towards ensuring a minimum of delivery snafus – and for those rare instances, you’ve got a flawless plan to make things right for the customer. Of course, customers can help themselves on this front via clear, visible shipping deadlines calendars (number 10 on their list of customer priorities, by the way). Another perennial favorite of mine, Nordstrom’s holiday shipping calendar, lays out shipping deadlines by each of the three most popular winter holidays (Christmas, Chanukah, and Kwanzaa) – I just wish it were already accessible from the home page even now.

What else are consumers looking for when choosing to do business with one merchant versus another? Broad product selection (4.3); merchant reputation (4.2); free return shipping offer or policy (4.2); the ability to see product reviews from other customers (4.1); and – in tenth place, mind you – promotions (4.1). Clearly consumers don’t simply buy based on free shipping – yes, it’s important, but their decision to buy from you – or your competitor – is often likely much more multi-faceted.

Holiday Retail Window Display Ideas

Posted onAuthorericw@specialtystoreservices.com

So, do you think you need a bajillion dollars and a fancy-shmancy designer to create an interesting and eye-catching holiday window display? Well, think again, my friend!
Have a ball. Dress up your window display by hanging simple, round ornaments from the ceiling of the window display area. These ornaments are easy to find at any store, are relatively inexpensive and come in different colors and levels of festivity, from matte to gloss to sparkly. Hang the ornaments at varying heights from the ceiling with fishing line for an eye-catching display. Be sure to keep to a color scheme simple like all red, all blue, all silver or a mixture of just two colors. I think blue and silver looks elegant and lends a cool winter feel.
Let it snow. Do you have a smallish window display area? Create a little winter wonderland! The local craft or sewing store should have bolts of white fleece or felt. Use the white fleece or felt as the floor covering and add little snow drifts of white polyester pillow stuffing around the trees and sled. Put a little pine tree or two in the background and hang some of the ornaments you are selling on them. Not selling ornaments? Hang some pretty sparkly ornaments or little bird ornaments for effect. I have seen little pre-lit trees at the local Walgreens, Osco or other drug store for $15-20 and unlit ones even cheaper. Then get a sled, preferably the old type with runners, or a toboggan, place it on the “snow” and then put some of your featured merchandise on the sled. Tah-dah! Cute but simple window display! Don’t be afraid to play around a bit. Use risers on the sled if you’re displaying jewelry or collectibles. Bigger window in a clothing store? Use a warmly and fashionably dressed mannequin to pull that sleigh full of goodies. In a warmer, more tropical area? Trade the white for sand color and the pine trees for palm trees.
What easy and inexpensive ideas have you used?