News

Specialty Store Services Hosting the Whizbang! Training Retail Success Summit

Posted onAuthoralice@specialtystoreservices.com

whizbang

At Specialty Store Services, building your business is our business. Our service to you doesn’t stop with the purchase of your store fixtures and displays; that’s just the beginning! We are here to help provide you with the tools for success each step of your journey. As business owners, we know that it’s important to be continually educating yourself on the changing retail environment.

Specialty Store Services is excited to be hosting the Wizbang! Training Retail Success Summit, July 29th & 30th in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We want to invite our customers to join us in this exciting and informative event, so we asked WhizBang! to offer a special super low price for Specialty Store Services customers. Go to www.retailsucesssummit.com and use coupon code STORE to save $500 on your registration.

The Retail Success Summit is an annual conference that provides high-level strategic thinking, in-depth explorations of retail tactics, case studies, best practice ideas, and two-minute success tips. The Summit begins at 8:00 am on Monday, June 29 and ends at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, June 30, 2015.

Attendees will benefit from a panel of expert guest speakers and their choice of focused sessions. Topics from which to choose include: 3 Ways to Maximize Your Facebook Marketing, How To Talk to Vendors, Ideas & Inspiration For Great Promotion & Events, and more. To get more of a feel what the Retail Success Summit is all about, click here.

Whether you are looking for guidance on how to improve your store’s current performance, ways to build your customer base and audience, or even looking to open up a new store, there’s sure to be something for you at this event.

We recommend early registration as past Retail Success Summits have sold out months in advance. We will be in attendance at the summit, and hope to see you there!

The Power of Attractive Point of Sale Displays

Posted onAuthoralice@specialtystoreservices.com

921ff0493d2766a2_135163128.xxlargeIn surveys with both men and women, participants admitted to making impulse, or unplanned purchases often while shopping. In fact, more than 53% of sales now come from impulse buys!

Impulse sales can be captured by any type of retail store. Regardless of store type, the psychology of the impulse buy is the same: certain items at the right price point appeal to your customer’s impulsive side. Impulse buys are rarely items one needs; instead they are items that make us feel good, or at least better than we did. Partaking in an impulse buy can relieve stress, improve self-esteem, or make customers feel empowered. Specific stores and merchandise may vary, but these basic principles will help you to make the most of this retail opportunity.

Location, Location, Location

Items merchandised at eye level are the most profitable impulse items. Retail countertop displays are effective for capturing this customer, both at the register and throughout your store. By the register is an effective location, as are the walkways. We recommend placing more expensive, destination items towards the back of the store, with impulse items scattered along the way. Make your impulse displays eye-catching.

Merchandise Markdowns

Do your impulse items not seem to be moving? Try running a special sale. Choose an item that appeals to a large segment of your customers. Maybe scarves or sunglasses if you’re an apparel shop, or candy and energy bars if you’re a convenience store. These are typically impulse items anyway, so running a special sale, even if it’s only a small percentage off, will catch your customer’s attention. Sometimes a discount is all it takes to convert a browser into a purchasing customer.

Limited Time Only

Today’s customers harbor a fear of missing out, so strategically placed promotions can help to capture the sale. Specials like 2-for-1 deals and 1-day only sales appeal to your customer’s sense of urgency. For stores with an online presence, advertising that a featured item is running low in stock can also encourage a customer who just came to browse to make a purchase. Impulse buys are not thought about before or after leaving the store, they are captured in the heat of the moment.

Choosing the Right Display

Customers’ emotional drive to purchase is highly influenced by their senses, so putting your merchandise in areas they can see, touch, and smell makes them more appealing. Spinning displays, open showcases, baskets and bins can all contribute to increased impulse sales. The more likely your customer is to pick up the product and touch it, the more likely he or she will be inclined to make the purchase, even if it wasn’t something they had originally planned on purchasing. Fixtures and displays that allow your customers to interactively engage with your product will increase your sales.

Giant Store Display and Supply Warehouse Sale

Posted onAuthorericw@specialtystoreservices.com

We are having our first warehouse sale here in Chicago. We are actually in Des Plaines which is located near O’Hare Airport. We need to make room in our warehouse for the 2009 products. We have all kinds of items at low prices and especially with the news the last couple of days, we all need to figure out how to save money.

But we, like retailers everywhere still need to generate sales and that always means spending money. Whether it is the new Specialty Store Services 2008 Winter catalog or a new impulse display or holiday sale signs for your front window, we need to spend money to nurture and create relationships with our customers.

The Warehouse sale is on the 10th and 11th of October from 10-4 both days.

UPDATE: 11/17/2008
The Warehouse Sale was a big success. Thank you to everyone who came. It was such a success we are planning another one in the coming year.

New 2008 Specialty Store Services Winter Catalog

Posted onAuthorericw@specialtystoreservices.com

Watch your mailbox for Specialty Store Services 2008 Holiday Catalog. This catalog is packed with everything you need for a successful holiday season. They have got the Gift Wrap, jewelry gift boxes, and so much more. Need an impulse display to show off your last minute gift ideas? Check out the Blowout Section on the Specialty Store Services website and get your self a real bargain on a 3 Tier Impulse Bin. 2″ Toy Capsules are now in stock. Stock up now for those extra profits. This years Specialty Store Services Retail catalog is bigger and better than ever. Don’t have a catalog? Call us at 1-800-999-0771 or click here to request a free catalog.

PawsChoice.com Launched!

Posted onAuthorericw@specialtystoreservices.com

United States of America – February 29, 2008 – Des Plaines IL — PawsChoice.com is a new website specializing selling super premium pet food, treats, supplements and toys to the pet owner who cares for their pet.PawsChoice.com carries only the top brands that feature all natural, human grade ingredients.

“After the pet food recall last year I was afraid to buy even the more expensive cat food at the grocery store,” said Stephanie Vito, a Chicago area pet owner.“That is when I started to look online for cat food that would not be affected by any pet food recall.That’s when I found PawsChoice.com”

At PawsChoice.com you can find brands like Orijin, Tripett, Zuke’s, Solid Gold, Azmirea, Evanger’s, Tiki Cat and many more super premium brands that are made with all natural ingredients without dangerous imported additives.With their monthly replenishment program you can have your pet’s favorite food automatically sent to your house at a time interval you select.You will never be out of pet food again.

PawsChoice.com is a new online pet supply store that features products that promote pet health and nutrition.PawsChoice.com will deliver premium dog food, cat food, dental care, pet vitamins, cat toys, dog toys and other pet health related items right to your door.

For more information:

Visit our website:http://www.pawschoice.com/default.aspx

Holiday T-Shirt Bags Now $12.99 per 1000!

Posted onAuthorericw@specialtystoreservices.com


Right now our high quality holiday t-shirt bags with printed holiday message are now $12.99 per carton of 1000. That is an eleven dollar savings over the $24.99 regular price. Granted the holiday season is almost over, but at these prices it makes sense to stock up for next year! These bags measure 11 1/4″W x 6″D x 21″H and are great for all kinds of merchandise.

Compare prices on other websites and you won’t find a comparable bag at this price. You can pay up to $45.00/1000 for these bags on other sites! Don’t delay, quantities are limited so visit us today!

 

Specialty Store Services’ Website Homepage Redesign

Posted onAuthorericw@specialtystoreservices.com

We have redesigned our homepage to make shopping easier. We have listed the product categories on the left hand side of the screen to make navigation clearer. One of the changes that we have made to the site is to have the product categories match the product categories we have in our catalogs. Visually the site is clear, more 21st century.

Here are some comments about the new website from our customers:

  • Easy to navigate!
  • Very simple website easy to order items.
  • Always a pleasure, Specialty Store Services makes my online shopping the quickest thing I’ll do all day!
  • Great website. …Easy to use and you offer great products and good prices.

Visit our website today for all your store supplies and store displays and see the homepage redesign everyone’s been talking about.

2007 Sale Catalog

Posted onAuthorericw@specialtystoreservices.com

The 2007 Sale catalog has mailed! Watch your mailbox for this 48 page bargain filled catalog. We’ve called this our 20th Anniversary Sale. You can save up to 70% off our regular prices on some items in the catalog. Don’t worry if you did not receive a catalog because you can find these great deals at www.specialtystoreservices.com.

Also on selected catalogs look on the front cover for your personalized message to find out how you can get your special web-only invitation.

Thanks for your business!

Bad Blogger

Posted onAuthorericw@specialtystoreservices.com

I have to admit that I have gotten off the habit of posting. I would imagine all my readers have been really upset. Well I am here to say that I am back and I will promise to be more diligent with my postings. The realities of life have take over my time. We just finished up a new Video Catalog that should be mailing towards the end of the month. I will go home tonight and think of my next article and posting.